moved a few inches
toward the door. We've got to work faster." Emma took a firmer grip on Crane's ankles and hauled with
every ounce of strength she possessed. Would you ladies like some help?" Edison asked quite casually
from the doorway. Sir." Polly yelped and dropped Crane's wrists. She took a step back, her hand at her
throat. Tears welled in her eyes. We're doomed." Emma went very still but she did not let go of Crane's
ankles. It was too late to panic, she told herself. If Edison intended to turn her over to the authorities, she
was already dead. She looked at him over her shoulder. His enigmatic eyes told her very little. But when
she saw his gaze go briefly to the bedwarmer, she knew that he understood exactly what had happened.
This was a man who was not overly concerned with fine points of
law, she told herself. He climbed through windows, hid in wardrobes, and made deals of a less than
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scrupulous sort with ladies such as herself. Yes," she said. We could certainly do with some assistance,
Mister Stokes. Mister Crane, here, attempted to force himself on Polly. I hit him with the bedwarmer, as
you can see. It appears that I struck him a bit too hard." Polly moaned, She killed him." Edison ignored
her. Are you certain that he's dead?" Polly whimpered. He collapsed real sudden like, sir." He does feel
quite limp," Emma agreed. Let's make certain of our facts before we do anything so rash as to toss him
down a flight of stairs," Edison said. Not that he doesn't deserve it." He closed the door behind him. Then
he crossed the small room to where Crane lay on the floor. He went down on one knee and pressed two
fingers to Crane's pale throat. A strong pulse." Edison looked at Emma. A very hard head, no doubt. He
will live." He will?" Emma dropped Crane's ankles. Are you certain?" Quite certain." Oh, ma'am." Hope
leaped in Polly's face. We are saved." The hope vanished again in the next instant. But when he comes to
his senses, he'll surely complain to the authorities. He'll say you attacked him with that bedwarmer, Miss
Greyson." No one," Edison said calmly, least of all Chilton Crane, will be complaining to the authorities. I
think both of you have done enough. You must be quite exhausted after all your efforts. Allow me to tidy
up in here." Emma blinked. How do you intend to do that, sir?" I've always found that the simplest stories
work the best, especially when one is dealing with creatures who possess simple minds." I don't
understand," Emma said. What will you do?" Edison bent down, grasped Crane's inert body, and hoisted
him over one shoulder with astonishing ease. I shall take him to his bed chamber," he said. When he
awakens, I will tell him that he suffered an accident. In my experience, people
who have been knocked unconscious, however briefly, rarely recall the precise events leading up to the
event. He'll be obliged to believe whatever I tell him." Emma pursed her lips. He did not see me before I
struck him, but he will surely remember that he dragged Polly in here and that he was attempting to abuse
her when he had his, uh, accident. He may very well know that my chamber is on this floor. Mayhap he
will guess that I" All will be well," Edison said quietly. Leave this to me. The only thing you and Polly must
do now is keep silent about what went on here in this closet." Polly shuddered. I won't say a word. I'd be
afraid of what my Jack might do to Mister Crane if he found out what almost happened here." Rest
assured, I won't discuss the matter," Emma said crisply. She frowned at the sight of Crane's body draped
across Edison's shoulder. But getting him downstairs to his own bed chamber will not be easy. Someone
will surely notice you on the stairs." Edison looked unconcerned. I shall use the back stairs." A profound
sense of relief swept through Emma. I must say, this is really very decent of you,