The Motor Pirate

ntry, I have not to-day the slightest idea. I was so enveloped in my own misery, that I was absolutely blind to all external objects. I could think of nothing but my

myself to be persuaded to play the part of coward, mer

result, that was all-a burning desire to be revenged upon somebody. I contemplated revenging myself upon everybody who had anything to do with my discomfiture, upon Mannering, upon Colonel Maitland, u

otion usually are. But it fulfilled a useful purpose. It gave my mind something el

became aware that it was pitch dark; that I was in the middle of a field; that I was soaked to the skin; that the rain was still falling heavily; and that I had not the slightest idea where I was. However, I added one more

re a comfortable fire. I crossed two or three fields, and eventually coming to a road I followed it, a

d the bottles-if you have ever seen a corpse fished up by the drags from a river bed, you will be able to form some idea of the appearance I presented-so that I did not resent their stare. In fact, I was not in a condition to be able

I learned afterwards that he had been whip to a well-known hunt in the West country-was able to distinguish between fatigue and drunkenness, and he came at once to my assistance. I heard him speak to me,

In a couple of minutes I could sit upright. The l

bit overwrought. I've known many a gentleman in my part of the country who would take n

iles from my home-at King's Langley; but this fact was no criterion of the distance I must have traversed in my mad frenzy, for I saw by the clock that the hour was te

e mental fatigue, I felt drowsiness overcoming me so rapidly that I perceived it would never do for me to give way to it. Pulling myself together I rose to my feet, at the same time thrusting my hand into my pocket f

I thought. Can you manage a hot bath

y, and, after a moment's

hat the mis

t, did duty on ordinary occasions for the family washing. Whatever it was, it did excellently well for my purpose. Gradually a delicious feeling of

ave continued to sleep if I had not felt a hand on my arm shaking me, and heard a voice bidding me arise. Fancyin

d the voice. "None of your shamming

ing what was happening, I sat up

nstables in uniform stood at the bedside, and I gathered that it was

ou want?"

sergeant. "You make haste and dres

senses had

e of good fortun

ame to it and calls it piracy on the 'igh road, I wonder what you'll 'ave to say to it, rememb

e vicinity the Motor Pirate had last been seen. Under the circumstances, nothing could be more likely than that the bucolic intelligence should jump to the conclusion that I was the famous criminal. To me, however, the id

diplomacy, in which one of the coins from my pocket found another

indignity of being arrested. He explained as much, telling my captors they were making idiots of themselves. As he seemed trustworthy,

their cocksureness was shaken. They became more polite in their attitude, and the sergeant took the trouble to e

age upon my diffidence. For instance, upon my departure from the inn, the whole of the population from King's Langley, so far as I could judge, had gathered about the door of the White Horse to give me a send-off. The cro

concealed disdain, as he spat into the g

personal appearance so unimpressive; and before I could make up my mind on the subject,

ears of my life for the chance of punching the head of any one of the throng of gaping onlookers. Then, as a culminating blow to my pride, who should we meet at a point in the High Street w

d followed the sergeant into the police station,

trol my temper, though I fancy there must have been traces of my rage still visible in my

y merely asked me for

my identity would not be disclosed, but now I had no furt

her man in plain clothes, who was standing gazing out

t St. Albans you should choose to spend th

iberty to sleep wher

r. "You will have no difficulty, I

ady wired to a friend of mine-Mr. Winter, of Hail

er very well," s

was completed he fell to whistling a bar of Chopin's Mar

for special duty in connection with this Motor Pirate affair. Unfortunately I did not reach Watford until after arrangem

n I can recall now, though I can remember a good deal. Most of it was to the effect t

tened patiently to me

appearances were not altogether in your favour," and he detailed to me the information which had l

ctor in uniform, who left us alone in the room. Then h

ike; but frankly, is it worth while? Think it over a little, bearing in mind that if we are to get hold of the Motor Pirate, we must

o me. He did not at all fulfil my idea of a detective. He was a tall, slight, stiffly built man, with a pleasant open face

the Motor Pirate, but also the chain of events which had led to my spending the night at the inn. He was exceedingly sympathetic and quite grave throughout, though he appeared more int

other inspector entered the room and with him Winter. The latter came straight across to me and

tgrove?" he remarked. "Not emulat

e conclusion that I am that distinguis

o help for it. The two inspectors joined in the merrime

n a few minutes I was seated beside Winter in his car, and

and to drive him back afterwards, and he was glad of the opportunity of obtaining from us s