It was freedom! * * * * * The plain-clothes man, who was lounging in Quest's most comfortable easy-chair and smoking one of his best cigars, suddenly laid down his paper.

He moved to the window.

A large, empty automobile stood in the street outside, from which the occupants had presumably just descended.

He hastened towards the door, which was opened, however, before he was half-way across the room.

The cigar slipped from his fingers.