Bailey took Lizzie under the arms and started to execute the order.
But the sometime colleen from Kerry did not depart without one
Parthian arrow.
"Don't shove," she said in tones of the greatest dignity as she
stumbled into the Hidden Room. "I'm damn glad to go!"
The iron doors shut behind her. Bailey watched the Unknown intently.
One moment of relaxed vigilance and--
But though the Unknown was unlocking the door with his left hand the
revolver in his right hand was as steady as a rock. He seemed to
listen for a moment at the crack of the door.
"Not a sound if you value your lives!" he warned again, he shepherded
them away from the direction of the window with his revolver.
"In a moment or two," he said in a hushed, taut voice, "a man will
come into this room, either through the door or by that window--the
man who started the fire to draw you out of this house."
Bailey threw aside all pride in his concern for Dale's safety.
"For God's sake, don't keep these women here!" he pleaded in low,
tense tones.
The Unknown seemed to tower above him like a destroying angel.
"Keep them here where we can watch them!" he whispered with fierce
impatience. "Don't you understand? There's a KILLER loose!"
And so for a moment they stood there, waiting for they knew not what.
So swift had been the transition from joy to deadly terror, and now
to suspense, that only Miss Cornelia's agile brain seemed able to
respond. And at first it did even that very slowly.
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