Just at that moment I caught sight of a piece of paper pinned to the dead man's coat. I pointed it out to Forrest. He unfolded it, glanced at it, and handed it to me without a word.
It was just a half sheet of ordinary paper used for typing, and upon it was typed the following sentence—
"This is the fate awaiting those who venture to resist the Motor Pirate."
"That would seem to settle the question as to whether this is a case of suicide or not," I said, handing back the paper to the inspector.
"H'm! At all events the inquest will," he replied. "I'm afraid in any case this ends our pursuit for the night," he continued. "I think I must ask you to run on to the nearest town for assistance. Have you any idea of our whereabouts?"
By calculating the time which had elapsed since leaving Stratford with the pace at which we had been travelling, I came to the conclusion we were not very far from Towcester, and I suggested I had better go there.
"All right; cut along then. Revolver handy?"
I replied in the affirmative as I mounted my car.
"Wait one moment," he called as I was starting; "and bring your light on a bit."
I did as I was directed. Forrest took one of the lamps and walked for five yards up the road, examining carefully every inch of the roadway. At last he paused.