I waited no longer than was necessary to carry my feeble and faltering
steps appropriately down the stairs, to reach the floor below and
gain the landlady's presence.
"Do you go up," said I, "and sit on those stairs till I come back. If
you hear the least cry of pain or sound of struggle from that young
girl's room, do you call at once for help. I will have a policeman
standing on the corner below."
The good woman nodded and proceeded at once to take up her
work-basket. "Lucky there's a window up there, so I can see," I
heard her mutter. "I've no time to throw away even on deeds of
charity."
Notwithstanding which precaution, I was in constant anxiety during my
absence; an absence necessarily prolonged as I had to stop and
explain matters to the Superintendent, as well as hunt up Mr. Gryce
and get his consent to assist me in the matter of the impending
arrest.
I found the latter in his own home and more than enthusiastic upon the
subject.
"Well," said he after I had informed him of the discoveries I had
made, "the fates seem to prosper you in this. I have not received an
inkling of light upon the matter since I parted from you at Mr.
Blake's house. By the way I saw that gentleman this morning and I
tell you we will find him a grateful man if this affair can be
resolved satisfactorily,"
'That is good," said I," gratitude is what we want.
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