Owing to the nature of the ground on each side of the driveway he could not turn from the road, so he whirled the horse sharply and started full tilt in the direction of the carriage.
Nick divined his object.
He counted on passing the carriage and making off in the other direction—a desperate expedient at best.
In order to keep those on the carriage seat from shooting him, Ramsay leaned down and shielded the upper part of his body behind the horse’s neck.
“I’ll have him now,” muttered Nick, pulling the carriage team to a halt. “Officer, take the lines.”
The officer took them, and Nick made ready for a spring.
On came the horse at a gallop, heading to pass within a few feet of the carriage, on Nick’s side.
The detective watched his chances, and, when the right moment had arrived, hurled himself outward and downward, grabbing the horse’s bits.
The weight on its head brought the animal to an abrupt stop—so abrupt that Ramsay was thrown from the saddle into the road.
Before he could rise, Nick was on top of him, pinning him down.