"Flames!" muttered the Chief Inspector, extricating himself; "I didn't
mean to break his neck."
He took up the electric torch, and shone it upon the face of the man
on the floor. It was a dirty, unshaven face, unevenly tanned, as
though the man had worn a beard until quite recently and had come from
a hot climate. He was attired in a manner which suggested that he
might be a ship's fireman save that he wore canvas shoes having rubber
soles.
Kerry stood watching him for some moments. Then he groped behind him
with one foot until he found the pistol, the second pistol which the
man had dropped as he pitched on his skull. Kerry picked it up, and
resting the electric torch upon the crown of his neat bowler hat--
which lay upon the floor--he stooped, pistol in hand, and searched the
pockets of the prostrate man, who had begun to breathe stertorously.
In the breast pocket he found a leather wallet of good quality; and at
this he stared, a curious expression coming into his fierce eyes. He
opened it, and found Treasury notes, some official-looking papers, and
a number of cards. Upon one of these cards be directed the light, and
this is what he read:
Lord Wrexborough
Great Cumberland Place, V. 1
"To introduce 719.
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