Part 34 (1/2)
This, for the butler looked unnerved He went up directly, though, and as soon as he was gone Arthur put his face to the coat, close to the old lady's ear
”You just listen,” he said ”You've had your innings, and led me a pretty devil of a life with your nasty ways It's my turn now Quiet, curse you! Stop that row, or as sure as you're a living woman now, you'll want a coffin to-morrow”
”What--what is it you want Money?” cairl There, you needn't kick and struggle; we don't want to carry you off and ht; look sharp My Gladstone, not yours Get out the rope”
The butler, whose face was now mottled hite patches, opened one of the portmanteaus and took out a cord
”Now cohten your grip a bit”
But the woman lay perfectly still now, and she did not even wince when the foothtly round her ankles and knotted it fast
”Now then, over on her face, guv'nor I in to scratch”
The helpless woman was turned over, her wrists firmly secured, and she was then laid on her side and the coat taken off, to reveal her wide, staring eyes, and teeth set, with the lips drawn right away
”You've killed her, my boy,” whispered the butler in a hoarse voice
”Bah! Old cats like that have got nine lives,” said the lass cloth, and I'll shove a gag in her h as it is,” whispered the butler ”Let her be”
The footman looked at the old housekeeper dubiously, and then unwillingly gave up his project
”Shall we put her in the plate-closet? I have the key”
Arthur laughed
”Why, that would smother her in half an hour No; helpWe can come and look at her now and then But she won't ing fro the unfortunate wo, they took porte, then into that which went off at right angles, to stop in front of the lobby door
CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR
AND GROWS DANGEROUS
The key the men possessed admitted them at once and the other portmanteau was opened, ready for use--a use which soon becaht this time?” said Roach, as in an intense state of exciteht up and look sharp”
Roach turned to the second portmanteau, which stood inside the door, and took out a dark lantern Then striking acompanion, he held up the cover of the iron door key-hole with one hand, and directed the full glare of the bull's-eye on the opening with the other
Arthur had not been idle Hastily doubling his overcoat, he ht new key froan to try if it would fit
”All right,” he whispered, ”it goes splendidly”