Part 23 (1/2)
”Dorothy!”
”Jerold!” came a m.u.f.fled cry, from somewhere above in a room.
He heard her vainly tugging at a door.
”Go up ahead of me, both of you,” he commanded, making a gesture with the gun. ”I prefer not to break in the door.”
CHAPTER XVII
A RESCUE BY FORCE
Theodore was hesitating, though his father was eager to obey. Garrison stepped a foot forward and thrust the pistol firmly against the young man's body, c.o.c.king the hammer.
”I'm going--for the love of Heaven, look out!” cried the craven suddenly, and he backed toward the stairs in haste.
”That's better,” said Garrison coldly. ”Step lively, please, and don't attempt the slightest treachery unless you are prepared to pay the price.”
Theodore had no more than started when the door-bell rang--four little jingles.
”It's mother,” said old Robinson, starting for the door.
”Let her remain outside for the present,” ordered Garrison. ”Get on up the stairs.”
The bell rang again. The Robinsons, resigned to defeat, ascended to the hall above, with the gun yawning just at the rear.
Once more Garrison called out:
”Dorothy--where are you?”
”Here!” cried Dorothy, her voice still m.u.f.fled behind a solid door.
”The room at the back. I can't get out!”
Garrison issued another order to Theodore, whom he knew to be the governing spirit in the fight against himself and Dorothy:
”Put down one hand and get out your keys--but don't attempt to remove anything else from your pocket, or I'll plug you on the spot.”
Theodore cast a defiant glance across the leveled gun to the steady, cool eyes behind it, and drew forth the keys, as directed.
”If that's you, Jerold--please, please get me out--the door is locked!”
called Dorothy, alarmed by each second of delay. ”Where are you now?”
”Coming!” called Garrison. He added, to Theodore: ”Keep one hand up.
Unlock the door.” He called out again: ”Keep cool when it's opened.
Don't confuse the situation.”
Young Robinson, convinced that resistance at this point was useless, inserted the key in the lock and opened the door, at the same time casting a knowing look at his father, who stood over next to the wall.