It was only a matter of seconds before Captain Stone, Kearney and the entire outside patrol rushed in and piled up the stairs.
Travers Gladwin had not stirred from where he stood in the drawing-room when Bateato got his instructions. He was intensely excited and feared that some slip might spoil this inspired plan.
“Good-by,” came a muffled hail from the hallway. Then there was silence both within and without.
“Gad, I hope he makes it!” cried the young man and rushed to the window. He had hardly reached there when the stillness was punctured by a crash of shifting gears and the racket of a sixty horsepower engine thrown into sudden, furious action.
“He’s gone!” Gladwin breathed, as he saw a touring car hurl itself athwart his vision. He recognized his former servant, Watkins, at the wheel.