On tiptoe also I followed him; and, just as his hands were on the wardrobe door, my hands were on his throat.

He was a little man, and no match for me.

I easily and gently laid him on his back, in a voiceless and half-suffocated state--throwing myself right over him, to keep his legs quiet.

When I saw his face getting black, and his small eyes growing largely globular, I let go with one hand, crammed my empty plaster of Paris bag, which lay close by, into his mouth, tied it fast, secured his hands and feet, and then left him perfectly harmless, while I took counsel with myself how best to secure my own safety.
I should have made my escape at once; but for what I heard the officer say about the men who were waiting outside.

Were they waiting near or at a distance?
Were they on the watch at the front or the back of the house?
I thought it highly desirable to give myself a chance of ascertaining their whereabouts from the talk of the officers in the next room, before I risked the possibility of running right into their clutches on the outer side of the door.
I cautiously opened the peephole once more.
The doctor appeared to be still on the most friendly terms with his vigilant guardians from Bow Street.
"Have you any objection to my ringing for some lunch, before we are all taken off to London together ?" I heard him ask in his most cheerful tones.