"But I never was a hard man where women are concerned.

Go upstairs, and leave the door open, so that I can see in through it if I like.

Hold your hat over your wrists, if you don't want her to see the handcuffs." I ascended the first flight of stairs, and my heart gave a sudden bound as if it would burst.

I stopped, speechless and helpless, at the sight of Alicia, standing alone on the landing.

My first look at her face told me she had heard all that had passed in the passage.