alculating the time which had elapsed since leaving Stratford with
the pace at which we had been travelling, I came to the conclusion we
were not very far from Towcester, and I suggested I had better go there.

"All right; cut along then. Revolver handy?"

I replied in the affirmative as I mounted my car.

"Wait one moment," he called as I was starting; "and bring your light on
a bit."

I did as I was directed. Forrest took one of the lamps and walked for
five yards up the road, examining carefully every inch of the roadway.
At last he paused.

"Here is where the Pirate's motor stopped," he said; and, plumping down
upon his knees, he examined the surface carefully. Then, taking a tape
from his pocket, he made a series of measurements.

I inquired what he was doing. He grunted in reply. When he had finished
he remarked--

"Nothing much to be got out of that. Judging from my measurements, our
friend might be driving a Daimler."

Another thought struck him, and, before starting, he asked me to lend
him a hand in getting the other car to the side of the road, in case any
one else came along and fell upon the fate we had so narrowly escaped.
Then I was at liberty to proceed, and, getting once more into my own
vehicle, I let the Mercedes drive ahead.

But my nerve had gone. Every moment I fancied weird shapes in the
blackness before me. Every moment I heard in my ears the strange humming
of the Pirate. Yet I dared not look round, lest I should in that instant
come upon him unawares in the shadows in front.

Fortunately I had no long distance to traverse. Soon friendly lights
broke the darkness. Slackening pace, I found myself in the well-ordered
streets of a little town. The second person I met was a policeman, and,
hailing him, I bade him jump on the car and direct me to the
police-station. Nothing loth, he obeyed.

I have an idea that the story I told the sergeant in charge was more
than a little incoherent, but he understood me sufficiently to become
aware that his presence was required immediately at the scene of a
crime, and he gave me to understand that he was ready to accompany me
forthwith. Then I remembered Forrest asking me to see that the services
of a medical man were obtained, in order that he might make an
examination of the body before its removal, and I mentioned the matter
to the sergeant. He at once gave instructions to the constable who had
guided me to the station to knock up a doctor and foll