Page:Randall Parrish - The Red Mist.djvu/189

 Rh though warning me to silence. Whatever of fear she had formerly felt seemed to have left her in this crisis, for she stood erect, her cheeks flushed, her eyes frankly meeting those of the surprised officer.

"You will, however, recognize me, Lieutenant," she said pleasantly, and extended her hand, "and, if you will listen, I think I can clear up the mystery."

"Miss—Miss Harwood," he murmured slightly embarrassed, but still belligerent, his glance wandering from her face to mine. "Certainly—we hoped to find you here. It was to rescue you we came—at least it was that hope which led me to request the sending of troops, and to accompany them. This outrage has been committed, I believe, by Cowan's gang, and this man here—"

"Is my friend," she interrupted quietly. "Lieutenant Raymond, if you will kindly order your men to retire, I will gladly explain his presence in the house."

"You wish to speak to me alone?"

"Not necessarily; but I certainly prefer greater privacy than this. You are in command?"

"No; Captain Whitlock is below." He turned toward the crowd blocking the doorway, and I grasped the opportunity to breathe a hasty word of warning into the ear of Nichols. The girl never glanced again at either of us.