At that instant as they stood clustered about the sleeping thing, the bell once more broke out in feeble clamour. They clung to each other in abject fear.
"The bell!" chorused the women, and stood frozen, silent. They heard Stevens toiling up the stairs; waited; watched the door; finally they saw him enter. Neither of the women spoke, but gazed at him questioningly.
Stevens met their gaze with frightened eyes. At last he found his voice.
"It's the prosecutor's men again, Madam. They've come to——"
"Stevens," interrupted Shirley, "surely you didn't tell them that——"
"Not one word, Miss Bloodgood. But they said they saw him——"
Shirley groaned and pointed to the sofa; Mrs. Challoner rose to her feet and stood before it as if to hide the man upon it.
"You left them outside, Stevens?" Miriam was calm and apparently in full control of herself now.
"One of them—the other forced his way in and sent after the prosecutor."
There was a tap at the door, and the maid, quivering with fear, excitement and indignation, entered, bursting forth with:—