Now get off, my man, and thank your stars that I have let you go so easily." Never were the tables turned so quickly or so completely on a pair of rogues, and the man I addressed seemed to think too.

After a whispered conversation with his companion, he walked away at his best pace, and we saw no more of him.
"Now," I said, turning to the fellow who was left behind, "you will come along with me to my office, and we'll have a little talk together." Our prisoner would have resisted, but certain warnings I was able to give him, induced him to change his mind.

When we reached my office I opened the door and conducted him to my sanctum, while Wilson followed close behind and lit the gas.

He then passed into the outer office, leaving me alone with my prisoner.

On closer inspection he proved to be a burly ruffian, and would doubtless have proved an ugly customer to tackle alone.