For answer, Sidwell jerked a cord beside the table. A bell rang vigorously in the rear of the apartments, and the big negro hurried into the room.
"Alec," directed the master, "call a policeman at once! At once—do you hear?"
"Yes, sah," and the servant started to obey; but the visitor's eye caught his.
"Alec," said Ben, steadily, "don't do that! I'll be the first person to leave this room!"
Instantly Sidwell was on his feet, his face convulsed with passion. "Curse you!" he cried. "You'll pay for this! I'll teach you what it means to hold up a man in his own house!" He turned to his servant with a look that made the latter recoil. "I want you to understand that when I give an order I mean it. Go!"
Blair was likewise on his feet, his long body stretched to its full height, his blue eyes fastened upon the face of the panic-stricken darky.
"Alec," he repeated evenly, "you heard what I said." Without a motion save of his head he indicated a seat in the corner of the room. "Sit down!"
Sidwell took a step forward, his clenched fists raised menacingly.
"Blair! you—you—"
"Yes."