Like lightning he stooped down and I saw something in his hand flash before my eyes. There was a strange burning pain and then everything faded away before my sight. I heard the door beaten down and the sound of my rescuers streaming in. Then all sound became concentrated in a confused roar, which throbbed for a moment in my ears and then died away. Unconsciousness crept in upon me.
When I opened my eyes again I found myself lying upon a bed in a strange room. By my side was my father, leaning back in a low, easy chair.
“Where am I?” I asked. “How long have I been here! Tell me all about it.”
My father stood up with a little exclamation of relief.
“Better, Philip? That is well. You are at the nearest decent hotel we could find last night, or rather this morning.”
“Tell me all about it,” I cried.
“Everyone was taken except de Cartienne. He fought like a tiger and got off. But it is only for a while. He will be caught. His description——”
“His description will be of no use at all,” I interrupted, breathlessly. “Has anything been heard of Mr. Marx?”
My father picked up an open telegram from the table by his side.
“Mr. Marx has gone back to Ravenor. This telegram is from the stationmaster at Mellborough.”