"Simply because this watch—"
But at that moment the doorman of police headquarters stuck his head in "Scotland Yard," as the patrolmen designated the inner sanctum where the detectives had their rooms, and called:
"Donovan!"
"Hello," answered the sleuth.
"Some one out here to see you."
"All right—be there in a second. Excuse me," he murmured to the colonel. "Be back in a minute."
But it was in less time than that that he came returning on the run, and his face showed excitement.
"What's up?" asked Carroll.
"Singa Phut," was the panting answer. "Friend of mine just tipped me off where I can get him! See you later!" and, making sure that his blackjack and revolver were in his pockets, Donovan hurried out, followed by the colonel, whose hand had loosely closed over the ticking watch which, unseen, went out with him.
Later that night Singa Phut, a silent, shrinking and somewhat pathetic figure, slept in a cell at police headquarters. Donovan, on the information brought in by a stool-pigeon, had made the arrest and was jubilant thereat.