Bubb, will you do as I ask you?"
"And what's that, Mr. Gammon?" asked the landlady, eager to show her
spirit.
"You go up to Polly's room, and you say this: 'Miss Sparkes,' you
say, 'you've got to come downstairs and see your aunt. If you'll
come, quite well and good; if you won't, I just got to tell you that
the lock on your door is easy forced, and expense shan't stand in
the way.' Now you just go and say that."
Mrs. Bubb and Mrs. Clover exchanged glances. Both were plainly
impressed by this masculine suggestion, but they hesitated.
"I don't want to make an upset in the house," said Mrs. Clover.
"There isn't a word of truth in what she said; I feel sure of that,
and it's no use."
"If you ask me," Gammon interposed, "I'm not at all sure about that.
It seems to me just as likely as not that she has come across Mr.
Clover--just as likely as not."
Angry agitation again took hold of Polly's aunt, who was very easily
swayed by an opinion from Mr. Gammon. The landlady, too, gave
willing ear to his words.
"Do you mean," she asked, "that we should really break the door
open?"
"I do; and what's more--I'll pay the damage.
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