The knock was repeated three times; she heard the visitor--a detective, she didn't doubt--try the handle of the opposite door.

Then, to her horror, she heard him move across the corridor and knock at her door.

The horror was so great that she felt as if every limb were benumbed and paralyzed; her mouth felt so dry as to be incapable of speech.

The knock came again, and, with a great effort, she managed to say: "Who is there ?" "Pardon me.

I wish to speak to you," came the response in a man's voice.
What should she do?
The detective would be made suspicious by her agitation, would question her, in all probability would drag from her some information which would enable him to track and arrest the fugitive.