The small crowd of excited onlookers, ignorant of the true facts, but their curiosity aroused by the unusual circumstances, had prevented the pair from turning back and making a hurried escape.
"Enid!" exclaimed Fetherston, as the girl reluctantly crossed the threshold with downcast head, "what is the meaning of this? Why are you paying a visit to this house at such an hour?"
"Ah, Walter," she cried, her small, gloved hands clenched with a sudden outburst of emotion, "be patient and hear me! I will tell you everything—everything!"
"You won't," growled the doctor sharply. "If you do, by Gad! it will be the worse for you! So you'd best keep a silent tongue—otherwise you know the consequences. I shall now tell the truth—and you won't like that!"
She drew back in terror of the man who held such an extraordinary influence over her. She had grasped Fetherston's hand convulsively, but at Weirmarsh's threat she had released her hold and was standing in the hall, pale, rigid and staring.
"Summers," exclaimed Fetherston, turning to his companion, "you know this person, eh?"
"Yes, sir, I should rather think I do," replied the man, with a grin.
"Well, detain him for the present, and take your instructions from London."
"You have no power or right to detain me," declared the grey-faced doctor in quick defiance. "You are not a police officer!"
"No, but this is a police officer," Fetherston replied, indicating Summers, and adding: "Sergeant, I give that man into custody."