‘What’s that?’

’The train is due at Bedford at 1.29—­send your wire there.  There ought to be plenty of people about at Bedford, and anyhow there’ll be time to get the police to the station.’

’Very good.  I instructed them to tell you to have a special ready,—­have you got one?’

’There’s an engine with steam up in the shed,—­we’ll have all ready for you in less than ten minutes.  And I tell you what,—­ you’ll have about fifty minutes before the train is due at Bedford.  It’s a fifty mile run.  With luck you ought to get there pretty nearly as soon as the express does.—­Shall I tell them to get ready?’

‘At once.’

While he issued directions through a telephone to what, I presume, was the engine shed, I drew up a couple of telegrams.  Having completed his orders he turned to me.

’They’re coming out of the siding now—­they’ll be ready in less than ten minutes.  I’ll see that the line’s kept clear Have you got those wires?’

‘Here is one,—­this is for Bedford.’

It ran: 

’Arrest the Arab who is in train due at 1.29.  When leaving St Pancras he was in a third-class compartment in front waggon.  He has a large bundle, which detain.  He took two third singles for Hull.  Also detain his companion, who is dressed like a tramp.  This is a young lady whom the Arab has disguised and kidnapped while in a condition of hypnotic trance.  Let her have medical assistance and be taken to a hotel.  All expenses will be paid on the arrival of the undersigned who is following by special train.  As the Arab will probably be very violent a sufficient force of police should be in waiting.

‘Augustus Champnell.’

’And this is the other.  It is probably too late to be of any use at St Albans,—­but send it there, and also to Luton.’  ’Is Arab with companion in train which left St Pancras at 13.0?  If so, do not let them get out till train reaches Bedford, where instructions are being wired for arrest.’

The Inspector rapidly scanned them both.

’They ought to do your business, I should think.  Come along with me—­I’ll have them sent at once, and we’ll see if your train’s ready.’

The train was not ready,—­nor was it ready within the prescribed ten minutes.  There was some hitch, I fancy, about a saloon.  Finally we had to be content with an ordinary old-fashioned first-class carriage.  The delay, however, was not altogether time lost.  Just as the engine with its solitary coach was approaching the platform someone came running up with an envelope in his hand.

‘Telegram from St Albans.’

I tore it open.  It was brief and to the point.

’Arab with companion was in train when it left here.  Am wiring Luton.’

’That’s all right.  Now unless something wholly unforeseen takes place, we ought to have them.’

That unforeseen!

I went forward with the Inspector and the guard of our train to exchange a few final words with the driver.  The Inspector explained what instructions he had given.