She balked at the word; the next moment there came a loud knock upon the door.
"Come in!" called Murgatroyd.
"Sorry to interrupt you, Mr. Prosecutor," said Mixley, on entering, "but Mr. Thorne is outside——"
Murgatroyd shook his head.
"Tell Mr. Thorne I'm busy."
But no sooner had Mixley left the room than he was back again.
"Counsellor Thorne says that he must see you—he won't wait."
The prosecutor ordered his man to keep him out, ending with:—
"I can't see him!"
On Mixley's retreating, Shirley once more stepped forward, and her lips were parted to speak when suddenly the door was thrust open violently and Thorne stalked in. Behind him came Mixley, trying to hold him back; but the other jerked himself free, and on reaching the prosecutor's desk, he held out his hand, and called out loudly:—