"You crazy girl, what--after that--why--what are you trying to do?" demanded Mrs. Stanton, fear making her furious.
"I'm trying to get into that building--and I'm going to get in!"
"You can't get in! They won't let you in! Lana Corson, you sha'n't endanger our lives again!"
Doris set rude hands upon Lana and shook her. "There's nothing sensible you can do if you do get in!"
"Perhaps not! But my father is there; he has asked me to help and I'm going to explain to him how I did my best. Doris, I must tell him, so that he won't get into worse danger by waiting and depending on that idiot of a sheriff."
"Coventry, you are sitting like a prune glacé! Help me to prevail on this girl to use some common sense!"
"You'll help me very much if you'll do some prevailing with your sister, Coventry," affirmed Miss Corson, resentfully, trying to unclasp the chaperon's vigorous hands.
"After what has been happening, I don't think Lana needs any more shaking, Dorrie," the brother remonstrated. "Everything having been well shaken, it's time to do a little taking. Won't you take some advice, Lana?"
"If it's advice about going home and deserting my father I'll not take it."
"I was afraid you wouldn't. But do you really think you can get into the State House?"
The girl did not disclose the discouraging information given to her by Editor Tasper on the subject of effecting an entrance. "I'm going to try! And I warn you, Doris, that I'm about at the end of my endurance."
Mrs. Stanton sat back and gritted her teeth.
The car traversed a boulevard; the arc-lights showed that it was deserted. A narrow street, empty of humankind, led to the west portico. That entrance, so Lana knew, was used almost wholly by the State House employees. The door was closed; nobody was in sight.
"If you insist on the venture, I'll go with you, of course," offered the young man. When the car stopped he stepped out.
"I'm afraid you'll only make it harder for me, Coventry. I know the captain of the guard. But it will never do for me to bring a stranger."
She hurried into the shadow of the portico. "Get back into the car! You must! Wallace, drive Mrs. Stanton and Mr. Daunt to the house."
When Coventry protested indignantly she broke in: "I haven't any time to argue with you. We may be watched. Wait at the corner yonder with the car. If you see me go in, take Doris home and send the car back. Wallace, I'll find you down there at the fountain!" She designated with a toss of her hand the statuary, gleaming in the starlight, and when the car moved on she ran up the steps of the State House.