ge approved by the most fluent members of the Automobile Club
for use on such occasions, but entirely without result. Exactly where we
were I did not know, and, after I had relieved my feelings, I thought it
best to jog along until we came to some town where it would be possible
to get skilled assistance.

And it was while we were progressing in this humdrum fashion that
Forrest confided to me the reasons for his anxiety.

"In the first place," he said, "your theory as to the stud found by
Mannering's servants proved to be correct. It was Winter's. I arrived at
St. Albans the first thing this morning, and, after getting your note,
went straight away and interviewed the girls. They handed me the
trinket. I took it to Winter, and he identified it. He will swear to it
anywhere. By the time I had done this, your wire for me had arrived,
and your man, having seen me go into Winter's house, brought it on. I
took the next train to town and went straight to the Yard, thankful that
at last I was able to report something definite. Besides, I wanted to
take a warrant without any one being aware of it, and I knew I could
manage that better in London than in the country. Well, I called at the
Yard, ran across to Bow Street and got my warrant, and returned to the
Yard in order to instruct a couple of our men who had been placed at my
disposal. While I was there particulars came to hand of a feat which
throws all the other doings of the Pirate into the shade. You mentioned,
I think, that Mannering, when he told Miss Maitland that he was going
away, said that all England would be talking of him."

"She said so," I replied doubtfully; "but she was so excited----"

"She was probably correct in her recollection of what passed," he said.
"If further proof were wanted to connect your friend with the Motor
Pirate, those words would be sufficient. If what I know leaks out, the
Pirate will fill the popular mind more to-morrow than he has done in the
past even. Yesterday morning, within six miles of Sandringham, he held
up"--he hesitated--"I must mention no names--he held up, let me say, an
August Personage----"

"The King?" I cried.

"An August Personage," remarked Forrest, severely, "in broad daylight."

"Let me hear all about it?" I asked eagerly.

"I don't know that I can tell you everything, for so far I only know the
particulars wired to the Yard. But the story is complete enough to
enable me to do what I have hitherto failed in,