She
slipped from his embrace, whispering:
"Yes, yes! Quickly, senor!" And the next instant they were out
upon the wide gallery with the dance behind them. "Hurree, hurree!
Or they will follow."
Together they fled along the north wing of the hotel; the girl was
panting, with one hand held to her bare throat; but there was no
need for him to help her, for she ran like a fawn.
"Here!" He swung her around the corner and rapped sharply at a
door.
"Quickly! Quickly!" she moaned. "For the love of--"
With terrific force the door was fairly jerked from its hinges and
slammed to behind them. The next moment Allan's big body was
leaning against it, as if the wall were about to fall inward upon
him. Runnels leaped forward with an exclamation, his wife stood
staring, her face as white as snow. With them was the genial gray-
haired judge from Colon, whom Kirk had met at the Wayfarers Club
on the night of his arrival.
"You made it!" Runnels cried, triumphantly.
"Miss Garavel!" his wife echoed. "Thank Heaven you came!"
"Quick, the music will stop! Judge, this is Miss Garavel--you must
marry us just as fast as you can."
"I presume you consent?" the judge asked, with a smile at the
girl.
"I--I want to be happy," she said, simply.
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