The Saint Meets His Match (She was a Lady)

Cullis cursed under his breath. His plan could not be put into execution then: it was too late for his explanation to hold water now. Another pretext must be thought of. But meanwhile——

He caught Gugliemi by the lapels of his coat and pulled him towards him. Reversing his gun with a swift movement, he struck callously. ...

As the man crumpled to the floor at his feet, Cullis heard the commissioner call his name again.

He raced up the stairs. At the top he found the chief leaning against the wall with one hand clutched to his shoulder.

'They got me,' said the chief gruffly. 'I heard them talking and I went closer to listen. Then a shot through the door. But I fired back, and I think I hit something.'

Cullis listened, and inside the room he heard a stifled groan. Then, through the door, Simon Templar spoke:

'We're surrendering,' he said.

The key grated in the lock, and the door opened. The Saint stepped out, holding his gun, butt foremost, at arm's length in front of him. His blue eyes swept the assistant commissioner with cool contempt as Cullis took the weapon and dropped it into his pocket.

'Jill's hit,' said the Saint. 'That was a lucky shot for you.'

Cullis went in. He found himself in a small bedroom, and a glance at the barred window showed him that the prisoners had been well on the way to making the gap big enough to squeeze through. Then his eyes fell on the bed, and he saw Jill Trelawney lying there with a red stain spreading on her white blouse.

'It's only a flesh wound,' said the Saint, 'but it's good enough. You'd better send for a doctor.'

He turned to see the chief commissioner stuffing a folded handkerchief inside his shirt.

'I'm sorry I didn't get a better bead on you,' said the Saint pleasantly.

The chief commissioner grunted.

'You'd better get her downstairs, Cullis,' he said. 'I'll go out and find a telephone. You're in a better condition to look after this bunch than I am.'

But Simon Templar pushed Cullis unceremoniously aside and picked Jill Trelawney up in his arms as lightly and tenderly as if she had been a baby. They went down­stairs in procession to the room where Gugliemi was, Cullis covering Simon from behind, and the chief com­missioner bringing up the rear. Downstairs, Simon laid the girl gently on the sofa, but when he would have moved away she caught his hand and held him.

The chief commissioner was looking at the prostrate Italian.

'He's moved,' he said, 'so I didn't kill him.'

'He was waking up when I came down,' said Cullis. 'When I heard the. shot and you called me I hadn't time to do anything but knock him on the head again and leave him.'

'Well, we've got them all together now. If you'll watch them I'll be getting along down the road. I think I noticed some telephone wires leading to a house about a hundred yards farther on.'

'Are you sure you'll be all right, sir?'

'I'm all right, Cullis. It's messed up my shoulder a bit, but I can make that hundred yards without any trouble. You stay here and keep your eyes skinned. I'll be back as soon as I can.'

He went out, and they heard