by Lewis Hockley [Percy Longhurst].
Originally published in The Magnet Library (The Amalgamated Press, Ltd.) vol.1 #22 (11 Jul 1908).
The Arrest.
"I been asleep, you chaps—eh? Sure I must have!" And Lomax, stifling a large-sized and most natural yawn, passed one hand over his eyes.
"Yeah," Abrams said hurriedly, "you've been athleep—thound athleep. Hope we haven't disturbed you."
"'Sleep!" McDonald broke in. "Yes, ol' cock, yer bean 'sleep all right, reg'lar dead-o. I'm going to get out."
"Where are we?"
Ringwood's Court, New Cut," McDonald answered promptly. "No. 4's just 'ere. I'm going to get out an' see old woman Brewer. Nice name, ain't it? Makes me—makes me— Gimme drink!"
Lomax looked at the Hebrew, and he winked in the direction of the boxer.
"Got it bad!" he said. "Say, Mr.—Mr.—forgot your name. Better see him home, hadn't you? I'll get out here. Tell me where, and I'll tell the cabby, an' pay him. Jolly evening, hasn't it been? Glad to meet you, sir. See you to-morrow—no, to-night, I mean. Call for me National Sporting Club. Will that do?"
"All right!" Abrams said, not sorry that Lomax was going now that he was awake, for there was no telling what dangerous utterances, McDonald in his maudlin condition might make. "All right! No. 142, Houndsditch, I'll take him."
"Good-night, old man; see you later." And Lomax got out of the cab, paid the driver, and gave him his final directions, and stood waiting on the kerbstone until it had rolled away. Then he broke into silent laughter, and chuckling, hurried off.
A violent hammering at the door of the office awakened Frank Dennis, and he was a very surprised young man when, on rising and opening it, he beheld his chum and partner.
"What on earth—"
"It's all right, old chap. Get on your clothes like wildfire, and we'll be off!" Lomax cried, entering the room.
"Off where?" his bewildered friend demanded.
"To see the final set of the play. Hurry up!"
"But—"
"Get on, for Heaven's sake!" was the impatient adjuration. "I've been to the police-station; they'll be there before us if you don't hurry yourself. I'll tell you about it while you dress."
It was four in the morning, but Dennis was startled into perfect wideawakeness by his chum's entry, and the astounding news he had to give. As well as his divided attention would permit, he listened while Robert retailed his news.
"We'll go first to Houndsditch, and see these beggars nailed. By gum, I wouldn't miss seeing their faces for the world when they know who it was diddled them so finally!" rattled off Lomax. "And then we'll go and find Mrs. Brewer. I've got a search-warrant. Come on!"
With four policemen, Maxennis hurried down to 142, Houndsditch and there Bob Lomax had the pleasure he had looked forward to so eagerly. But what the Jew and Sandy McDonald said when they realised how skilfully they had been sold, and that punishment for their conspiracy, plus kidnapping, was about to fall on them, is not to be repeated.