“Pegon muttered to himself, ‘Oh, he’s fly bird, ver fly bird.’
“After the lapse of five minutes the sharpers began to grow fidgety, and Toko rose to take his leave. Pegon got up at the same time and exclaimed—
“‘Have you a minute to spare?’
“‘What for?’
“‘Just one word—private conversation. You stop here.’
“This was to me.
“Toko and Pegon walked up the room together. Suddenly there was a cry of rage and alarm. I looked up. Two men in the body of the hall were fiercely straggling together. The fight was of short duration. In less than a minute Toko was lying on his back on the floor handcuffed.
When Von Beest perceived this he turned deadly pale.
“I heard him utter an imprecation upon Donnymore and his treachery, and then he made a rush towards the door, but Pegon had by this time drawn his policeman’s staff, which he carried concealed under his cloak, and as the German attempted to pass him, he struck him on the forehead, and he rolled heavily over upon the floor.
“Toko and Von Beest were both manacled and helpless.