Then he tackled the telephone again and asked to be put through to the Croydon police station.

“There must be no delay,” he added.  “This is an official call.”

He was in touch with Croydon in a remarkably short space of time, and soon was in communication with a police inspector.

“What’s your name?” he demanded.

“Inspector Wilkins,” came the surprised answer.

“Were you a sergeant at the time of the Surrey Bank robbery?”

“Yes; but what the—­”

“I am Winter of Scotland Yard.  Do you recognize my voice?”

“Well—­ er—­”

“Do you remember that nip of old brandy I gave you while we were freezing in a drafty warehouse at three o’clock in the morning waiting for the Smasher to come for his plant?”

“Yes.  You’re Mr. Winter right enough, sir.”

“Good!  I want you to believe what I’m going to tell you, as there is a big job ahead.  A gang of Chinese cutthroats have kidnaped a lady, wife of the London banker, Mr. James Creighton Forbes.  In a few minutes an American, a Mr. Handyside, will be with you.  He will point out the house near Croydon to which the lady has been taken in a motor car.  Collect half a dozen plain-clothes men and two in uniform and go with Mr. Handyside—­ without attracting attention, of course.  Surround the house and arrest any one, especially any Chinaman, who attempts to leave.  Release the lady, and ask Mr. Handyside to escort her to her home, 11 Fortescue Square, Belgravia.  If she is very ill, which is improbable, she should be taken to a hospital.  In that event Mr. Handyside should telephone Mr. Forbes.  Occupy the farm and arrest any one who comes there, no matter what the pretext, until Mr. Furneaux or I arrive.  I’ll be with you in two hours.  Tell Mrs. Forbes that her daughter will set out from Eastbourne by the next train leaving after 6:30.  Got all that?”

“Yes, sir!  Are these Chinamen likely to show fight?”

“Better be prepared.  But, after posting your sentries, I advise you and the uniformed constables to rush the place.  By the way, it will save me some trouble if you phone the Yard and tell them exactly what I have told you.  Ask for Furneaux.  If he is not in, instruct them to leave a written record for him.”

“I’ll see to it, sir.  Is that all?”

“Yes.  Goodby!  Meet you in two hours.”

He whirled round on Theydon.

“Tell the manager to supply at once the best car to be had in Eastbourne for love or money,” he said.  “I want something that is sure to go and go fast.”

The chief inspector, with full steam up, was energy personified.  His bulging eyes, his firm chin, his round fists, one clenching the telephone instrument, the other resting on the table, were eloquent of the man of action.

His pride had been sore stricken by the escape of Wong Li Fu when that master scoundrel was actually in his grasp.  But those powerful hands of his were far-reaching, and it would go hard with the jiu-jitsu expert when next they gripped his lithe frame.