.

He had not much trouble in mastering Crenshaw; but Sparrow, when he was
done spinning around on one foot from the agonizing pain of the kick on
the shin, would be another matter; the two men and the woman could
overpower him, unless assistance came quickly. And to that end he raised
all the uproar possible for the few seconds that Sparrow spun and the
woman stared.

Just as Sparrow hobbled to Crenshaw's aid, Harleston landed a short arm
blow on the latter's ear and sprang up, avoided the former's rush and
made for the hall-way.

At the same moment came a loud pounding on the corridor door. The noise
had been effective.

In a bound, Harleston reached the door; it should, as he knew, open from
within by a turn of the knob. But it was double-locked on the inside and
the key was missing.

He whirled--just in time to see the last of the mixed trio disappear
into the drawing-room, and the door snap shut behind them.

He sped across and flung himself against it--it was locked.

Meanwhile the pounding on the corridor door went on.

"Try another door!" Harleston shouted.

But by reason of the heavy door and the din, some time elapsed before he
could attract the attention of those in the corridor and make himself
understood. Then more time was consumed in getting the floor-maid with
the pass-key to the room adjoining the drawing-room of the suite.

By that time, the manager of the hotel had come up and put himself at
the head of the relief; and he was not in the best of temper when he
entered and saw the debris of the bric-a-brac and the table.

"What is the meaning of--" he demanded--then he recognized Harleston and
stopped--"I beg your pardon, Mr. Harleston! I didn't know that you were
here, sir; this apartment was occupied by--"

"Two men and a woman," Harleston supplied. "Well, it's been vacated by
them in deference to me."

"I don't understand!" said the manager.

"If you will have the baggage, which, I imagine, is in the bedrooms,
examined, and give me your private ear for a moment, I'll endeavour to
explain as much as I know."

"Certainly, Mr. Harleston," the man replied; and, directing the others
to examine the baggage, he closed the door of the drawing-room.

"First tell me who occupied this suite, when it was taken, and when they
came," said Harleston.

"One moment," said the manager, and picking up the telephone he called
the office. "It was, the office says, occupied by a Mr. and Mrs.
Davidson