He seized a revolver from the bureau, and thrusting it into his pocket, tore off the white strip of paper that had rolled out of the instrument, and with it in his hand he went quickly down stairs. He opened the door without knocking, and advanced into the middle of the room.
The moment he entered, Alma sprang up from her seat, pulling out the two wires as she did so, and throwing her arm about the young man, she cried out in an agony of fear and shame:
"Oh, Elmer, Elmer! Take me away! Take me to my father!"
He supported her with his right arm, and turned to face her assailant with the crumbled ribbon of paper still in his hand.
"What does this mean, sir? Have you been ill treating my cousin?"
"Go to bed, boy. It's very late for school children to be up."
"Your language is insulting, sir. I repeat it. What have you said or done to Miss Denny?"
"Oh! Come away! come away, Elmer!"
"None of your business, you puppy."
"There is no need to ask what you said, sir. I know every word and have made a copy of it."