'You wild cat!' returned the gentleman. 'Now, Flyman, on to her!'
The Flyman obeyed. The two gentlemen attacked the lady. Although she fought gamely, especially considering her injured wrist, she was no match for the pair. They got her down upon the floor, still struggling for all that she was worth.
'Now, Flyman, where's that stuff of yours?'
'I'm getting it. She's a oner. She's bit me to the bone.'
With difficulty--he only had one hand disengaged--he evolved a tin canister from his jacket pocket.
'Bite her to the bone! Let her have the lot!'
From the canister the Flyman managed to take a cloth--a cloth which was soaked with some peculiar-smelling fluid. This he jammed against the lady's face, even cramming it between her lips. She writhed and twisted, then lay still.
As the Flyman got up, he examined the hand which she had marked with her teeth.
'She takes a bit of doing. I shouldn't like to have to tackle her single-handed.'
Mr Burton smiled. His clothes were a little rumpled. As he rose he arranged his tie.
'Nice wife she'd make! What do you think?'
Mr Cox had occupied his time in picking up the revolver of which the lady had been relieved. He seemed genuinely concerned.
'You know, Burton, I tell you again I didn't come here for this sort of thing. I wouldn't have had this happen not--not for a good deal. I shouldn't be surprised if we get into trouble for this.'
'My dear Cox, we should have got into trouble anyhow. We may as well be hung for a sheep as a lamb. I'm going for the gloves.'
'Hung! Don't talk about hanging. You make a cold shiver go down my back. You haven't--killed her?'
'Killed her? You innocent! She's the sort who take a deal of killing. My good chap, when she comes to, she'll curse a little and go on generally; but she'll forgive me in the end. I know her; she's a dear!'
While the three men stood looking down at the unconscious woman, there came a knocking at the outer door.
It was not what they expected. Their faces showed it; they were so unmistakably startled. They looked at each other, then at the unconscious woman, then back again at one another. Mr Burton bit his lip.
'Then confound the servants! Why can't they take a little extra time to-night? They know their mistress is away.'