Further strategy being apparently out of place, Mortimer and I followed as rapidly as we could. Darting up the path that ran round the other side of the house, we emerged into the clearing behind, just in time to see an unknown gentleman hurl himself frantically into the fringe of undergrowth that lined the opposite bank. In a moment Tommy, who was hard on his heels, had plunged in after him. There was a shout, and then the dull thud of two heavily falling bodies. "Come on," roared Tommy. "I've got him." As he spoke, Mortimer tripped over the root of a tree and went sprawling full length on the grass. I did not wait, but leaping over a tangle of blackberry bush that barred the path, pressed on gallantly to Tommy's assistance. I found him tied up in an amazing network of agitated arms and legs. As far as I could see, the stranger was underneath, and from the somewhat unpleasant sounds which were rising into the air, I gathered that he was finding some difficulty in breathing. "Sit on his head," hissed Tommy's voice. "Take care he doesn't bite you. He's as strong as a horse." I was attempting to carry out his instructions when, with a mighty effort, our visitor jerked himself clear enough to speak. "All right, guv'nor," he gasped. "I gives in." He ceased to struggle, and, panting but triumphant, we released our respective grips. At that moment Mortimer arrived on the scene. He looked down on us with a smile. "Well, you seem to have got him all right," he said. "Who is it?" Tommy mopped his forehead with the back of his hand. "I think it's Sandow," he replied. "Get up, my friend, and let's have a squint at you." The stranger rose rather stiffly into a sitting posture. "You've 'alf choked me, guv'nor," he said reproachfully, putting his hand to his neck. "You 'adn't no call to 'andle me like that." We all three burst our laughing. "I'm sorry," said Tommy gravely. "I was under the impression that you were trying to kick me in the stomach." The stranger grinned, and somewhat painfully clambered to his feet. He was a massively built man of about forty, swarthy and black-bearded, and clothed in the conventional rags of a case-hardened tramp. "Suppose we adjourn to the bungalow," I suggested. "I'm sure we all want a drink after this little romp." Tommy took the stranger's arm and tucked it affectionately under his in that unbreakable clasp invented by the Japanese. Then dishevelled and slightly out of breath, we retraced our steps to the house. "Where will Mr. Sandow sit?" I inquired, as soon as we were all assembled in the front room. "I would suggest somewhere not too near the door," said Mortimer. "I'm getting too old for these sudden bursts of speed." "This will do," said Tommy, pulling up a rush-seated wooden chair with his foot. "Take a pew, my friend." He dumped the stranger down into the seat, and as he did so there came from the latter's pocket the muffled but quite distinct chink of silver.