"I haven't the least doubt that it was the work of 'Spike' Cooper. In all probability the other two knew nothing about it. I expect that when he broke into the house the first time--most likely in company with Medwin--he took the opportunity of having a look at the safe. It struck him as being a soft job, and so, without saying a word to the others, he made up his mind to come back again later on and see if there was anything worth collecting. Through some cursed accident the Professor happened to blunder across him, and----" "But if you know all this," broke out Colin passionately, "why in God's name haven't you arrested them?" The Inspector looked up at him with unruffled coolness. "We have done everything that's possible," he replied. "I can't bring a charge against Medwin without some actual proof, and we're not likely to find that until we get hold of Cooper and Fenton. I've a warrant out for each of them, and it's only a matter of a few hours before they'll both be in custody." "And meanwhile----" exclaimed Colin. "Yes, I know," interrupted the Inspector quickly; "they have managed to trap the girl. There's no question about that, but you can take it from me that she's not in any great danger. Every port in England is being closely watched, and unless they can get her over to the Continent, and force her into a marriage----" "Do you think I'm content to sit down here and trust to a lot of damned country policemen?" shouted Colin hotly. He wheeled round as he spoke, at the same time beckoning to Joe, who, throughout the whole interview, had remained standing discreetly in the background. The Inspector jumped up from his chair. "What are you going to do?" he demanded. "Do!" repeated Colin. "I'm going to find Medwin. He'll know where Nancy is, and I'll get the truth out of him if I have to cut him in pieces." He turned toward the door. "Stop!" said Marsden sharply. He stepped forward, his hard blue eyes fixed upon the flushed and angry face of his companion. "You mean this seriously, doctor?" "O' course 'e does," chimed in Joe; "an' the saime 'ere, mister." "I mean to find out what they're doing with Nancy," repeated Colin. "If Medwin won't speak, I'll damned well make him." For a moment Marsden stood motionless, glancing thoughtfully from one to the other of them. "I'm hanged if I haven't a good mind to let you try it," he said, suddenly. "It's just one of those mad things that might come off--provided it's properly handled." "We'll handle it all right," said Colin. "You can trust me for that." "I hope I can," retorted Marsden. "I tell you frankly that if it weren't for Miss Seymour I should lock you both up straight away. I feel, however, that it's my carelessness that's got her into this mess, and if you can possibly force the truth out of Medwin it may save her a lot of unpleasantness." He paused. "How do you propose to set about it?"