They took the return journey at an easier pace, and it was something more than an hour before they were halted at the lodge gates of “Maid’s Retreat” by a uniformed constable of the county police, who demanded to know their business.

Labar swore under his breath, as he made a guess at what had happened. He had no animus against the local police⁠—indeed he had been prepared to ask for their assistance⁠—but he would have preferred that for the time as few people as possible should know of the dramatic occurrences of which the house had been the centre.

His fears were confirmed when he made known his identity to the policeman. “The super’s looking for you, sir. Seems to have been a regular holdup. They found one of your chaps trussed up in a tool shed.”

“How did you people come to know about this business?” demanded the inspector.

“The butler phoned through to the officer at the village, and he got through to the super. We came along by car.”