It was fully five minutes before Sir John had locked up his papers and had put on his coat. As he emerged from his warehouse door he was promptly collared by a policeman, while another seized him firmly from behind. A third was in possession of the handcuffed burglar, and an inspector stood by with a box of cigars under his arm.
"Pore old pard!" said the burglar, with ostentatious sympathy. "They've nabbed us both at larst."
"Now come along quietly, will you?" said the first policeman to the struggling knight.
"Leave go!" shouted his indignant charge. "I'm Sir John Carder."
The policeman laughed derisively, but something in the voice made the inspector flash his light on him.
"Sir John it is," he gasped.
The policemen released their hold, and gazed ruefully at their late prisoner.
"What do you mean by this, Markham?" demanded Sir John.
"Very sorry, sir. Hope you'll overlook it. We caught this chap red-handed, and he said he was working the job with a pal who was tidying things up a bit."