The formula for the powder with which the bomb was charged was found in Barakoff’s laboratory, and with it, in Russian, a prescription which, on being tested, proved to be a complete cure for the disease. It was found just in time to save those who would otherwise have been the victims of the explosion at Finsbury Park.
It was evident that Barakoff must have maintained his laboratory in Soho for months. Obviously the manager of the shop was one of his accomplices, and apparently he had recognised Yvette and deliberately thrown her into Barakoff’s hands. Then realising that discovery was inevitable he had slipped out of the building, probably by a window as neither of the assistants had noticed him leave. He was never found. The assistants themselves proved to be respectable young fellows who had been employed only a few weeks and who clearly knew nothing of the nefarious conspiracy.
Nothing but the Mohawk had prevented Barakoff’s escape! And Dick Manton received later on the official thanks of the British Government for his daring exploit.
Chapter Five.
The Master Atom.
“Oh! la la! How horribly dull life is! I do wish something really startling would happen, Dick!”
The words were spoken in pretty broken English by Yvette Pasquet, who, charming and chic, as usual, was sitting with Jules and Dick Manton. The adventurous trio were dining al fresco in the leafy garden of the old-world “Hôtel de France” on the river bank at Montigny, that delightful spot on the outskirts of the great Forest of Fontainebleau, a spot beloved by all the artists and littérateurs of Paris.
“Something will happen suddenly, no doubt,” Dick laughed, glancing at his beloved. “It always does!”