Harborough to be, he must set things going against Harborough--his life was as naught, against the Mallalieu-Cotherstone safety. Mallalieu walked into the police-station, to find the sergeant just returned and in consultation with the superintendent, whom he had summoned to hear his report. Both turned inquiringly on the Mayor. "I've heard all about it," said Mallalieu, bustling forward. "Mr. Bent told me. Now then, where's that cord they talk about?" The sergeant pointed to the coil and the severed piece, which lay on a large sheet of brown paper on a side-table, preparatory to being sealed up. Mallalieu crossed over and made a short examination of these exhibits; then he turned to the superintendent with an air of decision. "Aught been done?" he demanded. "Not yet, Mr. Mayor," answered the superintendent. "We were just consulting as to what's best to be done." "I should think that's obvious," replied Mallalieu. "You must get to work! Two things you want to do just now. Ring up Norcaster for one thing, and High Gill Junction for another. Give 'em a description of Harborough--he'll probably have made for one place or another, to get away by train. And ask 'em at Norcaster to lend you a few plain-clothes men, and to send 'em along here at once by motor--there's no train till morning. Then, get all your own men out--now!--and keep folk off the paths in that wood, and put a watch on Harborough's house, in case he should put a bold face on it and come back--he's impudence enough--and of course, if he comes, they'll take him. Get to all that now--at once!" "You think it's Harborough, then?" said the superintendent. "I think there's what the law folks call a prymer facy case against him," replied Mallalieu. "It's your duty to get him, anyway, and if he can clear himself, why, let him. Get busy with that telephone, and be particular about help from Norcaster--we're under-staffed here as it is." The superintendent hurried out of his office and Mallalieu turned to the sergeant. "I understood from Mr. Bent," he said, "that that housekeeper of Kitely's said the old fellow had been to the bank at noon today, to draw some money? That so?" "So she said, your Worship," answered the sergeant. "Some allowance, or something of that sort, that he drew once a quarter. She didn't know how much." "But she thought he'd have it on him when he was attacked?" asked Mallalieu. "She said he was a man for carrying his money on him always," replied the sergeant. "We understood from her it was his habit. She says he always had a good bit on him--as a rule. And of course, if he'd drawn more today, why, he might have a fair lot." "We'll soon find that out," remarked Mallalieu. "I'll step round to the bank manager and rouse him. Now you get your men together--this is no time for sleeping. You ought to have men up at the Shawl now."