"Oh, it would take hours to explain, but I will cut it as short as I can. My cousin and Moreno are great friends. Maurice has come over here to help him. I was expecting you to-night, as you will remember. Maurice came round to explain that you had been kidnapped. He was coming on here, as Moreno's lieutenant, to help the police. I implored him to take me along, to welcome you when you escaped from them. He consented, and here I am." Guy clasped her in his arms. "You darling! And where is Mr Farquhar? I would like to thank him." Isobel beckoned to a man standing a little way in the shadow. He advanced. "Maurice, Guy wishes to thank you for all your share in this night's work." The two men exchanged a cordial handshake. Guy muttered his thanks. "I would like to tell you to drive off straight away," said Farquhar. "But you must wait a minute or two. There will be a third occupant of this vehicle--our friend Moreno, who is going to pass the night at the house of the Chief of Police. To-morrow he will go to England." In the room from which Rossett had been conducted to his friendly guardian, the head of the police was taking the situation in hand. "Masks off, if you please, gentlemen," he cried out in stentorian tones. The men turned hesitatingly to each other. But the levelled revolvers had an eloquence that was very appealing. They tore off their masks and flung them on the floor. The chief scrutinised them in turn, offering audible comments. "Ah, Contraras, the dark horse of the conspiracy, connected with the Spanish nobility through your wife. I think I have met you at the Court. Alvedero--ah, for some time you have been suspect. Zorrilta, I know you well. Governor of the Province of Navarre." He pointed to Somoza. "This gentleman I do not know. We shall find something about him later on." He turned to Moreno, who preserved an impassive demeanour. "I have not the honour of knowing this gentleman, either," he said with a splendid disregard of the truth, for which Moreno admired him immensely. "But no doubt I shall shortly atone for my ignorance. I shall have something to say to him later on." He turned to his subordinates. "Handcuff them and take them along." Moreno all the time had been edging nearer to the door. Suddenly he pulled out a knife, and hurled himself at the man who was guarding it. The man went down before the apparently savage onslaught. Moreno rushed down the stairs. "After him," yelled the Chief. "Don't let that man escape." Three of the waiting men clattered down the stairs after the flying Moreno. They returned a few moments later, crestfallen. They explained that he had flown like the wind, that they had lost him in the darkness. The Chief swore roundly, and cursed them. "Dolts, idiots!" he cried fiercely. "You have let him slip through your fingers. I believe he is the most dangerous man of the lot."