This was distinctly cheerful!
"Perhaps you're right," I said. "But at all events I shall see what the ironmonger can do in the morning. He may at least delay matters."
Going to the door, I opened it cautiously, and listened for a moment to see if any of my household were afoot.
"The coast seems clear," I said. "I'll come down to the hall and let you out."
She made a motion as if to protest, and then changed her mind.
"Very well," she said wearily.
With an inward prayer that no inopportune domestic would put in an appearance on the scene, I led the way cautiously down the big staircase. It was a strange experience, but by this time I was becoming case-hardened to strange experiences. Anyway, we reached the hall without misadventure, and, pulling back the latch of the front door as quietly as possible, I opened it sufficiently wide to allow my visitor to pass through. As soon as she was outside, I followed her, closing the door behind me.
"I'll just stroll along behind you until you pick up a cab," I said carelessly.
In the lamplight I saw a flash of terror leap into her eyes.
"No, no," she whispered. "You must go back at once, It is not safe."