"What for?" the man demanded.
"I want you to come inside for a moment," Quest repeated softly. "Unlock
the door, please, take the key off your bunch and come inside."
The man hesitated, but all the time his fingers were fumbling with the
keys. Quest's lips continued to move. The warder opened the door and
entered. A few minutes later, Quest passed the key through the window to
Laura, who was standing on guard.
"Come in," he whispered. "Don't step over him. He is sitting with his back
to the wall, just inside."
Laura obeyed, and entered the cell. For a moment they were breathless with
alarm. A passing warder looked down their avenue. Eventually, however, he
turned in the other direction.
"Off with your coat and skirt like lightning, Laura," Quest ordered. "This
has got to be done quickly or not at all."
Without a word, and with marvellous rapidity, the change was effected.
Laura produced from her hand-bag a wig, which she pinned inside her hat
and passed over to Quest. Then she flung herself on to the bed and drew
the blanket up to her chin.
"How long will he stay like that?" she whispered, pointing to the warder,
who was sitting on the floor with his arms folded and his eyes closed.
"Half an hour or so," Quest answered. "Don't bother about him. I shall
drop the key back through the window."
A moment or two later, Quest walked deliberately down the corridor of the
prison, crossed the pavement and stepped into a taxicab. He reached
Georgia Square at five minutes to three.
Pages:
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131