rom a friend at Scotland Yard I obtained the number of the car
belonging to the man whom this evidence involved.

"As Stainton is off the Portsmouth Road, I telephoned to the
Automobile Association patrols at Putney Hill, Esher, and Clandon
Cross Roads. I was told that on the previous evening this
particular car was seen going in the direction of Guildford. These
patrols take the numbers of all cars that pass. As it had not passed
Liss, where the next patrol is stationed, it was another link in the
chain."

"Well, I'm blowed!" The exclamation broke involuntarily from Kid.

"As the patrols go off duty at dusk, I could get no further help
from them," continued Malcolm Sage. "I sent a man to watch
Jefferson's training-quarters, although I was fairly certain that he
and his party were in no way involved."

Malcolm Sage went on to narrate his call upon Nathan Goldschmidt,
carefully omitting any mention of the name or address. His hearers
listened with breathless interest.

"I concluded that they had taken their prisoner to some lonely,
empty house," he explained, "but there was not time to search all
the empty houses in the home counties, so the man with the damaged
nose had to come with me in my car, and his friends followed in
his."

"But how did you manage it?" gasped Mr. Papwith.

"At first they showed fight," said Malcolm Sage, "and threatened to
keep me prisoner until after the fight."

"Gee!" exclaimed Kid.

"I anticipated some such move, and had instructed my people that
unless I were back by half-past four, they were to deliver certain
packets to the editors of well-known London papers. In these packets
was told the story as far as I had been able to trace it. This I
informed them."

"What did they say to that?" asked Mr. Doulton.

"They insisted that I telephone countermanding my orders; but as I
explained that I had told my man Thompson he was to disregard any
telephone message, or written instructions, he might receive from me,
they realised that the game was up. I also informed them that
Inspector Wensdale and two of his men were waiting at my office in
anticipation of a possible hold-up."

"Well, I'm blessed," exclaimed Alf Pond. "If you ain't It."

"I pointed out," continued Malcolm Sage, "that whereas by producing
Burns they would have a fight for their money, if the truth became
known not only would their bets most likely be forfeited, but they
would probably have to go to law to recover th