Pondering over his surprising discovery, Desmond pursued his way
to the floor above. Here, too, was a green baize door which
opened on to a corridor. Desmond walked quickly along it,
glancing in, as he passed, at the open doors of two or three
bedrooms. Just beyond where the staircase crossed the corridor
were two doors, both of which were closed. The one was a white
door and might have been a bathroom; the other was enameled a
brilliant, glossy red.
The second floor was as silent and deserted as the corridor
below. But just as Desmond passed the head of the main staircase
he heard the sound of voices. He glanced cautiously down the well
of the stairs and saw Strangwise and Bellward talking together.
Bellward was on the stairs while Strangwise stood in the
corridor.
"It's our last chance," Strangwise was saying.
"No, no," Bellward replied heatedly, " I tell you it is madness.
We must not delay a minute. For Heaven's sake, leave the girl
alone and let's save ourselves."
"What?" cried Strangwise, "and abandon Minna!"
"Minna is well able to look after herself," answered Bellward in
a sulky voice, "it's a question of sauve qui peat now... every
man for himself!"
"No!" said Strangwise firmly, "we'll wait for Minna, Bellward.
You exaggerate the danger.
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