"I believe I've hit upon a plan," said Kitty. "Certainly we have not
been followed. In that event they would have had a dozen chances. If
someone saw us leave together, naturally they will expect us to return
together. We'll walk to the corner of our block, then turn east; but
I shall remain just out of sight while you will go round the block.
Fifteen minutes should carry you to the south corner. I'll be on watch
for you. The moment you turn I'll walk toward you. It will give us a bit
of a handicap in case that taxi is a menace. If any one appears, run for
it. Where's the cane you had?"
"What a jolly ass I am! I remember now. I left the stick against the
wall of the opera house. Blockhead! With a stick, now!... I'm hopeless!"
"Never mind. Let's start. That taxi may be perfectly honest. It's our
guilty consciences that are peopling the shadows with goblins. What
really bothers us is that we have broken our word to the kindliest man
in all this world."
Hawksley wondered if he could walk round the block without falling down.
He saw that he was facing a physical collapse, hastened by the knowledge
that the safety of the girl depended largely upon himself. What he
had accepted at the beginning as strength had been nothing more than
exhilaration and nerve energy. There was now nothing but the latter, and
only feeble straws at that. Oh, he would manage somehow; he jolly well
had to; and there was a bare chance of falling in with a bobby. But run?
Honestly, now, how the devil was a chap to run on a pair of spools?
Arriving at the appointed spot they separated. He waved his hand airily
and marched off. If he fell it would be out of sight, where the girl
could not see him. Clever chap--what? Damned rotter! For himself he did
not care. He was weary of this game of hide and seek. But to have lured
the girl into it! When he turned the first corner of his journey he
paused and leaned against the wall, his eyes shut. When he opened them
the sidewalk and the street lamps were normal again.
As soon as he disappeared a new plan came to Kitty. She put it into
execution at once, on the basis that yonder taxicab was an enemy
machine. She left her retreat and walked boldly down the street, her
eyes alert for the least suspicious sign. If she could make the entrance
before they suspected the trick, she could obtain help before Johnny
Two-Hawks made the south turn. She reached her objective, pushed through
the revolving doors, and turned. Dimly she could see the taxi driver;
but he appeared to be dozing on the seat.