The Chinaman, seeing that he was in imminent danger of capture, released Evelyn, wrenched himself free by another jiu jitsu trick, swung the girl into Winter's arms, thus impeding him, and leaped into the car, which made off with a rapidity that showed how thoroughly the chauffeur was in league with his principal.
Naturally, the people coming out from the station, reinforced by the mob of semi-loafers always in evidence in such localities, gathered in scores around Evelyn Forbes and her two protectors.

Such an extraordinary scuffle was bound to attract a crowd; few had seen the commencement of the fray, because nothing could be more usual and commonplace in a fashionable place like Eastbourne than the sight of a frock-coated and top-hatted gentleman handing a well-dressed lady into a motor car.
The first general intimation of something bizarre and sensational was provided by Theydon's fall.

After that, events traveled rapidly, and the majority of the onlookers imagined that it was Winter who had knocked Theydon off his balance, while the rush made by the latter to intercept Wong Li Fu was actually stopped by a well-intentioned railway porter.
Worst of all, Theydon was quite unable to speak.

He indulged in valiant pantomime, and Winter fully understood that the Chinaman's escape should be prevented at all hazards.

But the chief inspector accepted the inevitable.
The limousine was equipped with a powerful engine, and the only vehicles available for pursuit were some ancient horse-drawn cabs.