“None of your lip,” said the constable, seating himself by his side. CHAPTER THE LAST “... AND,” said the inspector savagely, “if you’d only known the A B C of your duty, constable, you would have brought the two prosecutors here.” Amber was warming himself before the great fire that blazed in the charge-room. A red-faced young policeman was warming himself before the inspector’s desk. “It can’t be helped, Inspector,” said Amber cheerfully, “I don’t know but that if I had been in the constable’s place I should have behaved in any other way. Stocking-footed burglar flyin’ for his life, eh? Respectable gentlemen toiling in the rear; what would you have done?” The inspector smiled. “Well, sir,” he admitted, “I think the stockings would have convinced me.” Amber nodded and met the policeman’s grateful glance with a grin. “I don’t think there is much use in waiting,” said Amber. “Our friends have given the policemen the slip. There is a back entrance to the hotel which I do not doubt they have utilized. Your men could not have the power to make a summary arrest?” The inspector shook his head. “The charges are conspiracy and burglary, aren’t they?” he asked, “that would require a warrant. A constable could take the responsibility for making a summary arrest, but very few would care to take the risk.” A messenger had brought Amber’s shoes and greatcoat and he was ready to depart. “I will furnish the Yard with the necessary affidavit,” he said; “the time has come when we should make a clean sweep. I know almost enough to hang them without the bother of referring to their latest escapade--their complicated frauds extending over years are bad enough; they are distributors, if not actual forgers, of spurious paper money--that’s worse from a jury’s point of view. Juries understand distributing.” He had sent the car back to Maidstone to bring Sutton. He was not surprised when he came down to breakfast at his hotel to find that not only Frank, but his sister had arrived. Very briefly he told the adventures of the night. “We will finish with them,” he said. “They have ceased to be amusing. A warrant will be issued to-day and with luck we should have them to-night.” * * * * * Lambaire and Whitey in the meantime had reached the temporary harbour afforded by the Bloomsbury boarding-house where Lambaire lived. Whitey’s was ever the master mind in moments of crisis, and now he took charge of the arrangements. He found a shop in the city that opened early and purchased trunks for the coming journey. Another store supplied him with such of his wardrobe as was replaceable at a moment’s notice. He dared not return to his hotel for the baggage he had left. Lambaire was next to useless. He sat in the sitting-room Whitey had engaged biting his finger-nails and cursing helplessly.