Before the party drove off Winter noticed a local sergeant of police standing near.

“Shall I ask him to come with us, sir?” he said to Brett.

The barrister considered the point for an instant before replying: 

“Perhaps it would be better, as we have not got a warrant.”

Winter grinned broadly again.

“Oh yes, we have,” he cried.  “Mr. Ooma’s warrant has been in my breast-pocket for three days.”

“What a thoughtful fellow you are,” murmured Brett.  “In that case we can dispense with local assistance.  We five can surely tackle any man living.”

“What can have become of Capella?” said David Hume, when they were all seated and bowling along the road to Beechcroft.

“It is impossible to say what such a mad ass would be up to,” commented his cousin.  “He has probably gone back to London from some wayside station, and failed to find his servant to tell him before the train moved on.”

“What do you think, Mr. Brett?” inquired Winter.

“I can form no opinion.  I only wish Ooma was in gaol.  For once, Winter, I appreciate the strength of your handcuffing policy.”

CHAPTER XXXII

THE FIGHT

It was almost dark by the time they reached the lodge gates.  Brett, moved by impulse, stopped the carriage in the main road.  The others alighted after him.  Mrs. Crowe, the lodge-keeper’s wife, opened the gates, and evidently wondered why the carriage did not enter.

“Good evening, Mrs. Crowe,” said Brett, advancing.  “Have you seen a telegraph messenger recently?”

“Lawk, sir,” she cried, “I didn’t recognise you in the gloom!  No, sir, there’s been no messenger, only—­”

Then she uttered a startled exclamation.

“Why, there’s Mr. David an’ Mr. Robert!  I could ha’ sworn one of you gentlemen walked up to the house five minutes ago, an’ I wunnered you never took no notice of me.  Well, of all the strange things!”

“It was a natural mistake,” said the barrister quietly.

Then he told the coachman to wait where he was until a message reached him from the house.

He did not want to disturb the visitor who had caused Mrs. Crowe to “wunner,” nor was there any use in sending the carriage back to Stowmarket.  Somehow, he felt that Capella would not come to Beechcroft that night.

The five men went rapidly and silently up the avenue.  As they approached the lighted library, they could see a servant parleying with the Japanese.

A motion of Brett’s hand brought the party into the shade of the sombre yews.

“You and Holden,” he said to Hume, “go round to the main entrance, proceed at once to the library door, enter the room, and lock the door behind you.  Be ready with your stick, and do not hesitate to lunge hard if Ooma attacks you.  You, Holden, keep the revolver handy.  It must only be used to save life.  The moment you appear at the door we will rush to the window, which is open.  Ooma must have entered that way.  You both understand?”