The pin fell into her ready grasp.
When Challoner spoke again his voice was calm and steady.
"Sit down there." He motioned to a seat and he took the one opposite. "We'll wait until they come back—just wait."
For minutes that seemed hours they sat facing each other, Challoner dogged but quiescent, the girl with a growing unrest upon her—a cat with a cornered mouse.
At last a buzzer sounded.
"Stay where you are!" Challoner commanded, as the girl made a movement to go. "If it's somebody else," he added quickly, still looking at her, but with a changed eye, "we don't care about them; they can go away."
Again the buzzer sounded.
"Has she a key?" he whispered.
"Yes," she answered, matching his tone.
"Has he?" persisted Challoner.