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the word to withdraw, which, using the utmost caution, they presently did. But first they retrieved the ladder – greatly against their will: but they did not know how else to reach the postern-steps. Indeed, I never saw men so much discomfited. Not that I blame them at all, for what had happened smacked of the supernatural, and the passages and the dungeons offered a natural background to such activity.
    We saw them on to the ramparts, to join them, later on, on the postern-steps, and we watched them bestow the ladder within the woods. And then, with Mansel and Palin, we watched them deal with the car…
    I do not wish to labour the matter, but several minutes went by before it occurred to Friar that the hand that had pulled up their sluice had interfered with his car, and the frantic efforts of his fellows to make the engine fire reduced us to tears of mirth. And then at last they found that the contact-breaker was gone. While they were digesting this outrage, Palin and Bell went on, to intercept Carson and wait at the end of the drive: but Mansel and I stayed behind, in case of accidents.
    From what they said, it was clear that it never entered their heads that the Lowland might have been found, and Friar spoke well of himself, as being a man that kept a spare string for his bow. And so, at last, they set off, all very short of temper and two, who had been ‘swinging’ the shaft, scarce able to stand, to walk the two miles to the car which should carry them home.
    As soon as they had started, Mansel and I took the ladder and laid it out of sight by the postern-steps: and then we followed the rogues, to overtake them before they had reached the main drive.
    So we moved together, some twenty-five paces apart. And then they came to the Lowland, lying across the road.
    For a moment, they all stood still.
    Then—
    “He’s here,” said Friar. “This is Mansel. I might have known.” He turned in his tracks. “Are you there, Captain Mansel? I’d like to talk with you.”
    “Then put up your hands,” said Mansel. “I’m not alone.”
    “Today to you,” said Friar, and did as he said.
    “Your companions will do the same and will stand by your side.”
    At this there was some hesitation. Then somebody lighted a torch and Mansel fired.
    As the torch was shattered—
    “I trust that will show you,” said Mansel, “that I mean what I say.”
    Before he had finished speaking, the four were in line.
    “Take their arms, William.”
    I took their pistols away and came back to his side.
    “And now,” said Mansel, “what do you want to say?”
    “Deal with me,” said Friar. “If you don’t, I go to the Boche.”
    “I don’t deal with thieves,” said Mansel.
    “D’you think you can deal with the Boche?”
    “Nobody can,” said Mansel. “That’s why you won’t try.”
    “I will – in the last resort.”
    “I’m afraid I’m not playing,” said Mansel. “Do as you please.”
    “I can get this stuff out of the country. You cannot. I can’t help feeling there’s room for a bargain there.”
    “In your eyes, perhaps. Not in mine. Tonight you have shown that you are a common thief. And common thieves are people with whom I never deal – except as I have tonight.”
    “I see. D’you know a man called Palin?”
    “I do,” said Mansel. “It’s thanks to him that I’m here. When he wired that you were leaving, I left at once.”
    A pregnant silence greeted this pregnant lie.
    Then—
    “About these cars,” said Friar.
    “You can take them both,” said Mansel, “provided you waste no time. You see, this is blocking the drive. When you’ve inflated the tyres, you can push her straight. Then you can bring up the other and tow her away.” He turned to me. “The contact-breaker, William.”
    I took it out of my pocket and pitched it down on the ground.
    “You think of everything, don’t you?”
    “I try to,” said Mansel. “How’s Punter?”
    “He’s alive at the moment,” said