But both police officials shrugged their shoulders, and the detective remarked:
“Despujol is a will o’ the wisp. There seems little hope of our ever securing him. Nevertheless we shall continue to do our best to allow you to face him again one day. And then, señor, you will realize what a miraculous escape you have had!”
CHAPTER THE SEVENTEENTH
WHAT THE PROFESSOR FOUND
When I met my friend Hambledon in secret at two o’clock that day under the trees at a spot in the Retiro, not far from the great Plaza de la Independencia, we sat down and I described to him my strange midnight adventure.
He listened in amazement, which was increased when I told him how the police had recognized in the inoffensive lawyer of Burgos the notorious bandit Despujol, who was wanted not only by Scotland Yard, but by the police of Europe.
“But those carpet pins are a curious feature of the affair, Hughie,” he remarked.
“Yes. The police seem to attach no importance to them—but I do.”