"Out of one of the other rooms! I told you to watch them!"
Inspector Sheffield was angry, but he had not lost his presence of mind.
"We must get out—quick! The window!"
He leapt to the low window, throwing it open.
"Too far to drop! We've got to smash the door! Perhaps they've left the key in the lock! Set to on the panel with that bit of iron of yours!"
The man began a vigorous assault upon the woodwork. It was old, but very tough, and yielded tardily to the blows of the instrument. Then a big crack appeared as the result of a stroke shrewdly planted.
"Stand away!" directed Sheffield; and leaning back upon his left foot, he dashed his right upon the broken panel, shattering it effectually.
At the moment that the chauffeur thrust his hand through the jagged aperture to seek for the key, thud! thud! thud! came from the lane below.
"That's the car!" cried the inspector. "My God! what have they done to Mr. Belford?"
The other paused and listened intently.