The butler saluted this suggestion with unbegrudged respect, but the man who had lately been so anxious to go now moved in haste to intercept him at the door.
"Here!" he growled in an effort, not too happy, to assert authority--"wait a minute, wait--a--minute, you! What's the grand idea?"
"What is your objection?" Lanyard countered.
"If you got any use for a cop, you don't have to look no farther. I'm a city detective."
"Splendid. You shall enjoy every opportunity to exercise the powers of your office. Nevertheless, Soames will proceed to fetch a policeman."
In a bluster of panic the self-styled detective elbowed the butler away from the door. "Wait, now! This is my job; if any pinchin's goin' to be done here tonight, I'll do it."
"To the contrary . . ." A hand slipped deftly beneath the skirts of Mallison's dinner-jacket brought to light an automatic pistol of whose presence on his person Lanyard had become aware in the course of their struggle. "To the contrary, you will be good enough to stand back and let Soames do my bidding. Do you hear? And all of you"--a push sent Mallison reeling drunkenly into the ranks of his confederates--"all four of you will be well advised to put up your hands."
Prompt and unanimous respect rewarded this good advice, even Mallison proving himself sufficiently recovered to heed.
"Cut along now Soames; and you might tell the policeman he will need a patrol wagon, with four prisoners to handle."
"Look here!" Mallison found his tongue in a splutter of spite and fear--"you're going too far, Lanyard, carrying things with too high a hand--"
"I know but one way to deal with blackmailers."
"And what about yourself--you damn' burglar?"
A new voice introduced itself to the dialogue. "Blackmailers?" it drawled. "Burglar? Fightin' words, folks, fightin' words!"
Soames, moving to execute Lanyard's instructions, had opened the door to find it blocked by a long, loose-jointed body. Now, hands in pockets, hat well back on his head, chewing the unlighted cigar of his custom, the detective Crane, lounged in, with ironic glances reviewing the several countenances so variously coloured with emotion, until he perceived the presence of Mrs. McFee. Then he was quick to uncover his head and disembarrass his teeth.