But Fox had seen and had run forward.
"Why such haste, Mr. Sanderson?" sneered the professor. "Why such haste? I require no assistance."
He went on toward the house, smiling at the girls as he passed. The way opened quickly before that smile of the professor's, and the laughter and the talk died. The effect was astonishing. And while he made his way rapidly onward, closely followed by Fox, the group of Sally's guests fairly melted away. Once outside the gate, and behind the sheltering screen, they ran.
Sally met Fox just coming out.
"It's all right, Sally," he said. "I persuaded him that no noise is to be made. I persuaded him."
Sally looked at Fox in wonder. "It didn't take long."
"No, it didn't take long." There were curious firm lines about Fox's mouth and his voice was not quite steady. What the nature of the persuasion was, which was so effective and in so short a time, Sally was not likely to know.