"It helps, to cry sometimes," he said lamely.
The first faint signs of day were struggling out of the night when they stole across the road above Hart's Tavern and made their way through the stable-yard to the rear of the house. His one thought was to get her safely inside the Tavern. There he could defy the legions of Green Fancy, and from there he could notify her real friends, deliver her into their keeping,--and then regret the loss of her!
The door was locked. He delivered a series of resounding kicks upon its stout face. Revolver in hand, he faced about and waited for the assault of the men who, he was sure, would come plunging around the corner of the building in response to the racket. He was confident that the approach to the Tavern was watched by desperate men from Green Fancy, and that an encounter with them was inevitable. But there was no attack. Save for his repeated pounding on the door, there was no sign of life about the place.
At last there were sounds from within. A key grated in the lock and a bolt was shot. The door flew open. Mr. Clarence Dillingford appeared in the opening, partially dressed, his hair sadly tumbled, his eyes blinking in the light of the lantern he held aloft.
"Well, what the--" Then his gaze alighted on the lady. "My God," he gulped, and instantly put all of his body except the head and one arm behind the door.
Barnes crowded past him with his faltering charge, and slammed the door. Moreover, he quickly shot the bolt.
"For the love of--" began the embarrassed Dillingford. "What the dev-- I say, can't you see that I'm not dressed? What the--"
"Give me that lantern," said Barnes, and snatched the article out of the unresisting hand. "Show me the way to Miss Thackeray's room, Dillingford. No time for explanations. This lady is a friend of mine."
"Well, for the love of--"
"I will take you to Miss Thackeray's room," said Barnes, leading her swiftly through the narrow passage. "She will make you comfortable for the--that is until I am able to secure a room for you. Come on, Dillingford."
"My God, Barnes, have you been in an automobile smash-up? You--"
"Don't wake the house! Where is her room?"
"You know just as well as I do. All right,--all right! Don't bite me! I'm coming."
Miss Thackeray was awake. She had heard the pounding. Through the closed door she asked what on earth was the matter.
"I have a friend here,--a lady. Will you dress as quickly as possible and take her in with you for a little while?" He spoke as softly as possible.