blazes! This is my car," was the response, as they tore
up Putney Hill on the way to Walton, where Miss Kerrick was to spend
the night with Guggers' sister.

II

Five minutes later Bindle stood in Lady Knob-Kerrick's drawing-room
with Thomas, the footman, holding one arm, and Wilton, the butler, the
other. On Wilton's face was an expression of disgust at having
temporarily to usurp the duties of the police.

Lady Knob-Kerrick had made enquiries of the servants, and was now
convinced that her daughter had either eloped or been abducted. Her
hair was disarranged, there was dirt upon her face, and leaves and
mould upon her gown; but of these she was unconscious, and she regarded
Bindle with an expression of grim triumph. At least she had captured
one of the ruffians, probably the worst.

Bindle himself was quite self-possessed. All he desired was to gain
time so that the fugitives might get well beyond the possibility of
capture.

"Now, look here, Calves," he remarked, obliquely examining the
footman's gorgeous raiment, "if you pinch I kick. See?"

Apprehensive of an attack upon his white silk legs, Thomas moved away
as far as he could, holding Bindle at arm's-length.

"I have had the police telephoned for," said Lady Knob-Kerrick grimly.
"Now, where is Miss Knob-Kerrick?"

"You may search me, mum," replied Bindle imperturbably.

"You were with the villains who abducted her," snapped Lady
Knob-Kerrick.

"Who wot, mum?"

"Abducted her."

"I never done that to any woman. I kissed a few, but I never gone
further. Mrs. Bindle (my name's Bindle--Joseph Bindle) is sort o'
particular."

"Then you refuse to confess?" Lady Knob-Kerrick glared at Bindle
through her lorgnettes.

"I ain't got nothin' to confess, mum; leastways nothin' I'd like to say
'fore a lady. Look 'ere, Dicky-Bird, if you pinch my arm I'll break
your bloomin' shins." This last remark was addressed to Wilton, whom
Bindle examined with insulting deliberation. "Must cost a bit to keep
yer in clean dickies, ole son," he remarked. Wilton writhed. Bindle
suddenly caught sight of Miss Strint slipping into the room, looking
very ill and obviously in a state bordering on hysteria.

"'Ello, miss, you do look bad. I hope you ain't 'urt." There was
solicitude in Bindle's voice.

"I am very upset and----"

"Strint!" admonished Lady Knob-Kerrick, "please be silent. How dare
you converse with this man?"

"Now look 'ere, mum, I ain't