CAPTIVITY CAPTIVE

Up the stairs, across the landing, and down the passage opposite
Dunn went in silence, shepherded by the little man behind whose
pistol was still levelled and still steady.

His hands held high in the air, he pushed open with his knee the
door of the girl's room and entered, and she looked up as he did
so with an expression of pure astonishment at his attitude of
upheld hands that changed to one of comprehension and of faint
amusement as Deede Dawson followed, revolver in hand.

"Oh," she murmured. "Captivity captive, it seems."

At the fireplace Dunn turned and found her looking at him very
intently, while from the doorway Deede Dawson surveyed them both,
for once his eyes appearing to share in the smile that played about
his lips as though he found much satisfaction in what he saw.

"Well, Ella," he said. "You've been having adventures, it seems,
but you don't look too comfortable like that."

"Nor do I feel it," she retorted. "So please set me free."

"Yes, so I will," he answered, but he still hesitated, and Dunn had
the idea that he was pleased to see the girl like this, and would
leave her so if he could, and that he was wondering now if he could
turn her predicament to his own advantage in any way.