n with the basket. I
could not be mistaken, I felt sure, in my belief that she cast
furtive glances about her as she mounted the steps. But, having
seen her actually aboard, my attention became elsewhere engaged.

All now depended upon securing a cab before the tram car had
passed from view!

I counted it an act of Providence that a disengaged taxi appeared
at that moment, evidently bound for Waterloo Station. I ran out
into the road with cane upraised.

As the man drew up--

"Quick!" I cried. "You see that Greenwich car--nearly at the
Ophthalmic Hospital? Follow it. Don't get too near. I will give
you further instructions through the tube." I leapt in. We were
off!

The rocking car ahead was rounding the bend now toward St. George's
Circus. As it passed the clock and entered South London Road it
stopped. I raised the tube.

"Pass it slowly!"

We skirted the clock tower, and bore around to the right. Then I
drew well back in the corner of the cab.

The woman with the basket was descending! "Pull up a few yards
beyond!" I directed. As the car re-started, and passed us, the
taxi became stationary. I peered out of the little window at the
back.

The woman was returning in the direction of Waterloo Road!

"Drive slowly back along Waterloo Road," was my next order.
"Pretend you are looking for a fare; I will keep out of sight."

The man nodded. It was unlikely that any one would notice the
fact that the cab was engaged.

I was borne back again upon my course. The woman kept to the right,
and, once we were entered into the straight road which leads to the
bridge, I again raised the speaking-tube.

"Pull up," I said. "On the right-hand side is an old woman carrying
a basket, fifty yards ahead. Do you see her? Keep well behind, but
don't lose sight of her."

The man drew up again and sat watching the figure with the basket
until it was almost lost from sight. Then slowly we resumed our
way. I would have continued the pursuit afoot now, but I feared
that my quarry might again enter a vehicle. She did not do so,
however, but coming abreast of the turning in which the mysterious
assault had taken place, she crossed the road and disappeared from
view.

I leapt out of the cab, thrust half a crown into the man's hand,
and ran on to the corner. The night was now far advanced, and I
knew that the chances of detection were thereby increased. But
the woman seemed to have abandoned her fears