Instantly she drew her hands vigorously downward, got clear of them, gave them each a furious push that sent them flying forward, then darted back through the open door, closed it, and bolted it inside just as Monckton, recovering himself, quickly dashed furiously against it--in vain.
The quick-witted villain saw the pressing danger in a moment.

"To the back door or we are lost!" he yelled.

Bartley dashed round to that door with a cry of dismay.
But Grace was before him just half a minute.

She ran through the house.
Alas! the infernal door was secure.

The woman had locked it when she went out.