Then Peace, without another word, sallied forth.
It is an old saying, “set a thief to catch a thief,” and it was never more exemplified than in this instance.
No one, however, at the time suspected that our picture-frame maker was a notorious burglar, who, however, it must be admitted had been conducting himself in a very proper manner.
He ran out into the high road, and saw at about a hundred and fifty yards the figure of the same man he had seen on the roof.
“He’s got a good start, it’s true,” he observed to the detective, “but here goes,” and with these words Peace ran after the fugitive at the very top of his speed.
He was followed by Mr. Wrench, who, as a matter of course, ran his hardest.
They had the satisfaction of finding that they gained upon the robber, who had, unfortunately for him, injured one of his ankles in dropping from the tree.
Had this not been the case the chances would have been all in his favour.
Peace and Mr. Wrench found they were gaining rapidly on the robber. This acted as an incentive for them to put forth their energies to the fullest extent.
Beyond the fields which the fugitive was new traversing was a narrow stream—a small river. This, although possibly he did not know at the time, would form a barrier to his progress.