The way bent and twisted and it was now only at occasional intervals that they caught glimpses of their quarry. Suddenly Ware jammed on the brakes. The car skidded on and came to a halt a yard from an unopened gate, through which the road took a right angled abrupt bend and ended peremptorily at a farmhouse. A second's inattention on the part of the driver and they had crashed through the gate and into a pond beyond. "Damn 'em. They've switched," exclaimed Ware. "There was a turning a quarter of a mile back," said Labar. "I'm afraid we've lost the scent, but we may as well go back and try." CHAPTER XVI They had been out-witted. The conclusion was forced decisively upon them as they returned to the road at which Larry and the others had evaded them. "There are two turnings. They might have gone right or left," said Labar gloomily. He descended to examine the tracks. "They've done neither," he added. "Look here. They pulled up under the shelter of these trees till we had gone past. Then they backed out and doubled on their tracks. We've wasted ten minutes. They're miles away by now." "Got any idea of the place for which they might be making," suggested the doctor, hopefully. "We might cut 'em off." "Not a million to one chance, I'm afraid," said the detective. "No. We're done. I'm much obliged to you, doctor, for your help. It isn't your fault that they slipped us. We may as well get back to 'Maid's Retreat' and find out what has happened to the servants and one of my men." They took the return journey at an easier pace, and it was something more than an hour before they were halted at the lodge gates of "Maid's Retreat" by a uniformed constable of the county police, who demanded to know their business. Labar swore under his breath, as he made a guess at what had happened. He had no animus against the local police--indeed he had been prepared to ask for their assistance--but he would have preferred that for the time as few people as possible should know of the dramatic occurrences of which the house had been the centre. His fears were confirmed when he made known his identity to the policeman. "The super's looking for you, sir. Seems to have been a regular hold-up. They found one of your chaps trussed up in a tool shed." "How did you people come to know about this business?" demanded the inspector. "The butler 'phoned through to the officer at the village, and he got through to the super. We came along by car." They left him and drove up to the house. Before the car had stopped Malone was running alongside with outstretched hand, and a broad smile of relief on his face. "Thank God you're all right, sir. I was worried." "Oh there's nothing much wrong with me. They made a clean get-away, that's all. How about you?"