He extinguished the light in the room, and led the way noiselessly across the empty warehouse to a big door which led out on to the wharf. It was a sliding door, which moved noiselessly upon its greased guides. Soo stepped out first, and the girl followed. Ahead of her she saw a patch of untidy wharf and the dull gleam of water. He piloted her to the edge of the wharf and peered down into the canal; but there was no sign of a boat. He turned and hissed a savage enquiry to one of his companions. The girl’s heart beat high, instinct told her that help was on the way, and the absence of the boat was at least a respite. “Quick!” said Soo. “Come!” He caught her by the arm, and she half ran and half walked back to the building, through the barn-like warehouse, and to the door through which they had first entered. “Remember,” he said, “that any sound you make will bring upon you consequences which you will have very little time for regretting.” He pulled back the bolt, and the door swung open noiselessly. He had his hand upon the girl’s arm, and his foot was raised to step across the threshold when a flood of white light struck him, and he staggered back. “Put up your hands!” said a voice. It was the voice of Tillizinni. CHAPTER XI. CAPTAIN TALHAM’S PROGRESS. For a second only Soo stood. He saw the gleam of two pistol barrels directed at his breast, and then with a sudden jerk of his arm, he brought the girl into the line of fire. A second later, he was running with all speed across the building and through the gate. He heard fleet footsteps coming after him, and looking over his shoulder he saw the tall form of Talham silhouetted in the doorway of the warehouse. He could have shot him then, and was tempted to take the risk, but thought better of it. A shot would arouse the neighbourhood, would set whistles blowing, and might perhaps dissipate his last chance of escape. He could trust his men to preserve his secret. He sped without hesitation to the end of the wharf. The boat was still away. He understood now why it had not put in an appearance. He heard a whistle blow, and cursed himself for his failure to make use of an opportunity of killing Talham which the gods had put into his hands. The place was surrounded--he guessed that. He guessed it just as soon as he understood the significance of the boat’s absence. There was no time to hesitate, without a pause he leapt from the edge of the wharf into the dark and noisome waters of the canal. He came to the surface for a moment to breathe, and cast his eyes back to the bank. Innumerable beams of light were searching the water. The police had recently been equipped with a new truncheon torch. He could swim under water like a fish, and he did not come up again until the black hulk of a moored barge offered protection from the prying eyes of the police. “He’s gone, I’m afraid!” said Tillizinni with an expression of vexation. “I’d like to have seen his face.”