Then he reflected—­ as, indeed, proved to be the case—­ that on such a fine day the window would probably be open.  Two windows on the second floor and one in the cloakroom near the front door were raised a few inches, but drawn curtains screened from observation any watchful eye which might be stationed behind them.  As a matter of fact, armed detectives were hidden there, and they had been given specific orders to shoot without warning any one of Chinese appearance whose behavior was suspicious, while three men were in readiness in the hall to rush out into the square and make an arrest under similar circumstances.

In that fashionable quarter, at that hour, automobiles of every type were passing constantly.  At the very next door a well-appointed carriage and pair was in readiness to take an elderly lady for a drive in the park.  As yet, none of the other residents in the square had the remotest notion that No. 11 was in a state of siege.  The position of affairs, if it were not so desperate, was almost amusing!

Mrs. Paxton and Theydon were admitted without any delay, and Forbes himself hurried downstairs to greet them.  He was pale, but quite composed.  All the nervous uncertainty of the previous day had vanished.  He was armed and willing for the fray.  If, as was by no means unlikely, Wong Li Fu staked everything on a gambler’s throw and led his cohort in a daylight raid on the house, the Manchu leader would meet with a very warm reception.

Forbes was surprised to find that a lady had come with Theydon, but expressed his pleasure at the visit, which, he said, was just the thing his wife and Evelyn needed.

“Yes,” he went on cheerfully, noting the astonishment caused by his words, “Mrs. Forbes is not seriously injured.  The bullet lacerated the top of her left shoulder, and the wound is painful but superficial.  She positively refuses to remain in bed, so our doctor humored her, provided she promises not to pass the time looking through the drawing-room window!”

Mrs. Paxton, to whose senses the presence of armed detectives and constables in uniform was even more eloquent than her brother’s words, glanced about the spacious entrance hall with wide-eyed amazement.  Once she and her brother were recognized as friends of the family, the men on duty gave them no heed.

Outside were the familiar sounds of London traffic; within were preparations for conflict.  The police carried revolvers openly in leather cases strapped to their belts.  On a table near the library door were several automatic pistols ready to be snatched up in an emergency.  An alert detective, revolver in hand, was peering through the curtains of the cloakroom; this sentry, in particular, would alarm the garrison if, as Winter had definitely warned his assistants, an attempt were ever made to enter the house by main force.