“You would not coerce me against my will, I hope,” said Bundle grandiloquently.

“Wouldn’t I?” said Bill. “You just watch me do it, that’s all.”

“You really are rather a darling, Bill. I was afraid you might be too meek, but I see there’s going to be no danger of that. In another half-hour you’d be ordering me about. Oh, dear, we’re getting silly again. Now, look here, Bill, we’ve got to get out of here.”

“I tell you that’ll be quite all right. I shall⁠—”

He broke off, obedient to a pressure from Bundle’s hand. She was leaning forward, listening intently. Yes, she had not been mistaken. A step was crossing the outer room. The key was thrust into the lock and turned. Bundle held her breath. Was it Jimmy coming to rescue them⁠—or was it someone else?

The door opened and the black-bearded Mr. Mosgorovsky stood on the threshold.