"I don't know what the deuce you are talking about, O'Dowd," he interrupted.
"You lie, Barnes," said the other promptly. "Miss Cameron is here at my elbow. Will you have her tell you that you lie?"
"Let her say anything she likes," said Barnes quickly.
"Don't be surprised if you are cut off suddenly. The coast is clear for the moment, but--Here, Miss Cameron. Careful, now."
Her voice, soft and clear and trembling with eagerness caressed Barnes's eager ear.
"Mr. O'Dowd will see that no evil befalls me here, but he refuses to help me to get away. I quite understand and appreciate his position. I cannot ask him to go so far as that. Help will have to come from the outside. It will be dangerous--terribly dangerous, I fear. I have no right to ask you to take the risk--"
"Wait! Is O'Dowd there?"
"He has left the room. He does not want to hear what I say to you. Don't you understand?"
"Keeping his conscience clear, bless his soul," said Barnes. "It is safe for you to speak freely?"
"I think so. O'Dowd suspected us last night. He came to me this morning and spoke very frankly about it. I feel quite safe with him. You see, I've known him for a long, long time. He did not know that I was to be led into a trap like this. It was not until I had been here for several hours that he realised the true state of affairs. I cannot tell you any more at present, Mr. Barnes. So great are the other issues at stake that my own misfortunes are as nothing."
"You say O'Dowd will not assist you to escape?"
"He urges me to stay here and take my chances. He believes that everything will turn out well for me in the end, but I am frightened. I must get away from this place."
"I'll manage it, never fear. Keep a stiff upper lip."
"Wha--keep a what?"
He laughed. "I forgot that you don't understand our language, Miss Cameron. Have courage, is what I should have said. Are you prepared to fly at a moment's notice?"
"Yes."
"Then, keep your eyes and ears open for the next night or two. Can you tell me where your room is located?"
"It is one flight up; the first of the two windows in my room is the third to the right of the entrance. I am confident that some one is stationed below my windows all night long."
"Are you alone in that room?"
"Yes. Mr. and Mrs. Van Dyke occupy the rooms on my left, Mr. De Soto is on my right."