She shut in closet--say prayers, maybe," said Billy, without a smile.
The picture was a ludicrous one but not one of the little group laughed.
"Doctor, have you a revolver ?" Anderson seemed to be going over the possible means of defense against this new peril.
"No." "How about you, Beresford ?" Beresford hesitated.
"Yes," he admitted finally.

"Always carry one at night in the country." The statement seemed reasonable enough but Miss Cornelia gave him a sharp glance of mistrust, nevertheless.
The detective seemed to have more confidence in the young idler.
"Beresford, will you go with this Jap to the kitchen ?" as Billy, grimly clutching his butcher knife, retraced his steps toward the hall.

"If anyone's working at the knob--shoot through the door.

I'm going round to take a look outside." Beresford started to obey.

Then he paused.
"I advise you not to turn the doorknob yourself, then," he said flippantly.
The detective nodded.