Griggs proceeded to do the same, quietly and systematically, and the great strength he had not yet lost served him well, for the furniture in the room was heavy.

In a couple of minutes it would have needed sledge-hammers and crowbars to break out by the lower entrance, even if the lock had not been a solid one.
Griggs then turned out the lights, and went quietly back through the library to the other part of the house to find Lady Maud.
Logotheti, having meanwhile made the upper door perfectly secure, descended by the open staircase to the hall, and sent the first footman he met to call the butler, with whom he said he wished to speak.

The butler came at once.
'Lady Maud asked me to see those three men,' said Logotheti in a low tone.

'Mr.Griggs and I are convinced that they are lunatics escaped from the asylum, and we have locked them up securely in the staircase beyond the study.' 'Yes, sir,' said the butler, as if Logotheti had been explaining how he wished his shoe-leather to be treated.
'I think you had better telephone for the doctor, and explain everything to him over the wire without speaking to Lord Creedmore just yet.' 'Yes, sir.' 'How long will it take the doctor to get here ?' 'Perhaps an hour, sir, if he's at home.

Couldn't say precisely, sir.' 'Very good.