hand.

"Drop your knife," he said, "or I'll drop you."

The mad doctor turned his head slowly and frowned at the intruder.

"Good morning, General," he said calmly. "You came in time," and he
threw the knife on to the ground. "We will try her according to
regulations!"

Chapter XV

A TRAGIC AFFAIR IN THE WEST END.

MAD DOCTOR WOUNDS A BURGLAR IN A SOCIETY WOMAN'S BEDROOM.

"There was an extraordinary and tragic sequel to the escape of
Dr. Thun from Norwood Asylum, particulars of which appeared in
our early edition of yesterday. This morning at four o'clock,
in answer to a telephone call, Detective-Sergeant Miller,
accompanied by another officer, went to 84, Cavendish Mansions,
a flat occupied by Mrs. Meredith, and there found and took into
custody Dr. Algernon Thun, who had escaped from Norwood Asylum.
In the room was also found a man named Hoggins, a person well
known to the police. It appears that Hoggins had effected an
entrance into Mrs. Meredith's flat, descending from the roof by
means of a rope, making his way into the premises through the
window of Mrs. Meredith's bedroom. Whilst there he was detected
by Mrs. Meredith, who would undoubtedly have been murdered had
not Dr. Thun, who, in some mysterious manner, had gained
admission to the flat, intervened. In the struggle that
followed the doctor, who is suffering from the delusion of
persecution, severely wounded the man, who is not expected to
live. He then turned his attention to the lady. Happily an old
man who works at the flat, who was sleeping on the premises at
the time, was roused by the sound of the struggle, and
succeeded in releasing the lady from the maniacal grasp of the
intruder. The wounded burglar was removed to hospital and the
lunatic was taken to the police station and was afterwards sent
under a strong guard to the asylum from whence he had escaped.
He made a rambling statement to the police to the effect that
General Foch had assisted his escape and had directed him to
the home of his persecutors."

Jean Briggerland put down the paper and laughed.

"It is nothing to snigger about," growled Briggerland savagely.

"If I didn't laugh I should do something more emotional," said the girl
coolly. "To think that that fool should go back and make the attempt
single-handed. I never imagine