Page:Arthur Stringer--The House of Intrigue.djvu/250

234 he led me down a darkened hallway and into a room which Ezra Bartlett had already thrown open for us.

"This'll do!" announced Big Ben, as he ushered me into that unlighted chamber. Then he looked over his shoulder to make sure Ezra Bartlett wasn't within hearing distance.

"Listen to me," he said in a hurried whisper. "This is a bluff, remember. There's a mix-up here I've got to get to the bottom of. And if you stay quiet in this room, Baddie, until I can come and get you, you'll be helping me out of a hole!"
 * T don't believe you," I told him, between puffs, for I was still fighting for breath.

"Then what're you going to do?" he demanded in his heavy whisper. He was at least a good actor.

"Why don't you listen to me," I cried out at him. "Why haven't you the brains to see a thing when it's under your nose!"

"Hush!" he warned me, with a glance toward the door. "There's more under my nose than you imagine. And I can't explain things. You've just got to accept what I'm handing you. I want you to stay in this room until you hear from me!"

His hand dropped from my arm, and he was across the room before I could realize it.