The lady bowed her acquiescence.
“With your consent, Mrs. Darlington,” Munson went on, “I’ll show these gentlemen round and save you the annoyance. Come along then.”
Ben Thurston had been fairly silenced by the army man’s suave courtesy. He was glowering at him, dully conscious of having been suppressed.
Munson turned from the sleuth.
“Perhaps Mr. Thurston would prefer to remain with the ladies?” he asked, with a touch of smiling irony.
“I don’t leave my man Sharkey,” replied Thurston gruffly. “Sharkey, keep close watch on me. We’ll search the place, but you stay near me all the time.” Once again there was the old hunted look in his eyes as he glanced apprehensively into the courtyard.
“Then follow me,” said Munson quietly.
“You have left a guard at the door of course?” asked Thurston of Sharkey.
“Oh, you just allow me to know my business,” replied the detective sharply. He bowed to Mrs. Darlington and her daughters. “I am really sorry to disturb you, ladies.”
“Then get the business over as soon as possible,” said Munson. “Come along.”