Sinclair looked doubtful. “It’s dangerous your dealing with a man who will stick at nothing. Have you a revolver?”
“Yes,” said Sanders blushing at the recollection which it conjured up, of the night he had unworthy suspicions of Mabel.
“Can you shoot? You are dealing with a crack shot.”
“I’m pretty useful,” said the other.
“Then go.” Sanders went without a word.
“The telephone, in the hall isn’t it?” he rushed out and seized the instrument. “Hullo, Trunks. Scotland Yard priority call. Superintendent Sinclair,” he said, and hung up the receiver.
Sanders came in breathless. “We can’t get the car to start,” he said.
“Ah, I feared as much, he’s tampered with it,” said Sinclair.
He seized the telephone, “Hullo that call coming through?—”
“All right; give me the police station at Wilton in the meantime—urgent.”
He waited a moment with the receiver in his hand. “Hullo, Superintendent Sinclair here. That you, Miles?—good. Get the best car at once, and come here with two men. Armed, you understand. I take full responsibility. Must ring off, I’m waiting for the Yard.”
The bell tinkled, and he got through.
He issued rapid orders.
When he put up the receiver, he turned to the others.
“There’s one point in our favour. He doesn’t know he’s suspected. He has always regarded everyone as a fool. But he’s a clever rogue if ever there was one, and he’ll take some catching.”
“But my brother,” said Mabel, “you said he was in danger.”
“I am so sorry, Miss Watson. I was so upset for the moment. There is no immediate danger. In fact, his one chance lies with keeping your brother safe, for the moment, but his life is in danger. I am bound to tell you that I have given orders for the house in Leveson Square to be watched, but it may not be there.”
“What may not be there?” said Allery; “we are all in the dark.”
“I know. I will explain, but there’s no time now.”
“As far as I know he’s gone to London and he will not spare the car. He may not go direct in case of some such action as I have taken.”
Sanders came in.
“The car will go now,” he said. “Luckily the chauffeur had spare parts, otherwise it would have been hopeless, and there was evidently not much time to tamper with it. I’ll get off, if you tell me where to go.”
“Oh, don’t go,” said Mabel with a revulsion of feeling. “Surely the police can do all that’s necessary?”
“I’m going,” said Sanders, and his jaw set square. There was a long account to settle with this man.
“Go direct to London, as hard as you can. Don’t stop to ask questions on the way. Go to Leveson Square; here, take my card with you, and explain to the men on duty there. If you don’t catch them on the road, and I’m afraid you have a poor chance, he will have got there first. They have full instructions to act, but you must get hold of Watson, and see to his safety if you can. Good luck to you. Telephone if you can. Use my name, and they will give you priority.”
Without even looking at Mabel or saying goodbye, he went out.
“Oh, my brother and Mr. Collins! This is awful; surely there must be some ghastly mistake!”
“You must be brave,” said Allery, “and wait for Mr. Sinclair’s explanation.”
A sound was heard outside as the car shot out into the night.
“Too long a start,” said Sinclair, looking at his watch.
John had been hovering at the door, and now came forward.
“Can I be of any service, Miss?” he said.
“No, thank you, John,” said she, “except you can tell the servants to keep absolutely silent about anything that is happening. They will all know in time. Meanwhile I depend on their loyalty.”
The old man bowed. “I am sure you may depend on them, Miss; but can I get you anything?”
“Yes,” said Allery, “some strong black coffee would do us all good. I can see we are going to have a night of it.”
“Very good, sir,” said John.
The sound of a car at the door was heard. Sinclair opened it, and a policeman in plain clothes entered and saluted.
“That’s right, Miles. Our man has gone to London, at least I think so. A car has just gone in pursuit, and I have informed the Yard. The whole route will be watched and patrolled. They are also watching the house in Leveson Square. He has taken Sir Ronald Watson with him.”
The Inspector opened his eyes wide.
“Yes,” said Sinclair, “we have found Sir Ronald Watson only today.”
He issued further instructions, with a description of the car, and its occupants. He gave them the number, “but,” he said, “he’s altered that, if I know him.”
“Very good, sir,” said the Inspector, “we’ll catch him,” he added cheerfully. It was not often such a chance came in his way, and visions of promotion floated before him.
When he had sent them off, Sinclair came back to the others.
“Shall we come into the dining-room?” he said. “I must remain here where I can be found, though I would have dearly loved the chase,” he added sadly. “I don’t expect in the least they will catch him. But I must try everything.”
He sank wearily into a seat. “What a day,” he said.
The others waited.
Presently he sat up.
“Of course you will want an explanation, and you are entitled to one. It will help pass the time.”
“If you are too tired we can wait,” said Mabel, but she was on the rack. Her brother, the man who had been her lover, and he who had lately filled so much of her life and whom she had grown to respect even if there was no deeper feeling, were all involved.
Sinclair started like a tired man, but as he went on he warmed to his tale.
“Collins was a deep scoundrel, but like all such he had two weaknesses. He was so vain that he could not leave things alone, he must try daring experiments, and he regarded
