For a space Kemp was too inarticulate to make Adye understand the
swift things that had just happened. The two men stood on the
landing, Kemp speaking swiftly, the grotesque swathings of Griffin
still on his arm. But presently Adye began to grasp something of the
situation.
"He's mad," said Kemp; "inhuman. He is pure
selfishness. He thinks of nothing but his own advantage, his own
safety. I have listened to such a story this morning of brutal
self-seeking! He has wounded men. He will kill them unless we can
prevent him. He will create a panic. Nothing can stop him. He is
going out now--furious!"
"He must be caught," said
Adye. "That is
certain."
"But how?" cried Kemp, and suddenly became full of
ideas. "You must begin at once. You must set every available
man to work. You must prevent his leaving this district. Once he
gets away he may go through the countryside as he wills, killing and
maiming. He dreams of a reign of terror! A reign of terror, I tell
you. You must set a watch on trains and roads and shipping. The
garrison must help. You must wire for help. The only thing that may
keep him here is the thought of recovering some books of notes he
counts of value. I will tell you of that! There is a man in your
police station--Marvel."
"I know," said Adye, "I know. Those
books--yes."
"And you must prevent him from eating or sleeping; day and
night the country must be astir for him. Food must be locked up and
secured, all food, so that he will have to break his way to it. The
houses everywhere must be barred against him. Heaven send us cold
nights and rain! The whole countryside must begin hunting and keep
hunting. I tell you, Adye, he is a danger, a disaster; unless he is
pinned and secured, it is frightful to think of the things that may
happen."
"What else can we do?" said
Adye. "I must go down
at once and begin organising. But why not come? Yes--you come too!
Come, and we must hold a sort of council of war,--get Hopps to
help--and the railway managers. By jove! it's urgent. Come
along--tell me as we go. What else is there we can do? Put that
stuff down."
In another moment Adye was leading the way downstairs. They found
the front door open and the policemen standing outside staring at
empty air. "He's got away, sir," said one.
"We must go to the central station at once," said
Adye.
"One of you go on down and get a cab to come up and meet
us--quickly. And now, Kemp, what else?"
"Dogs," said Kemp. "Get dogs. They don't see him,
but they wind him. Get dogs."
"Good," said Adye. "It's not generally known, but
the prison officials over at Halstead know a man with bloodhounds.
Dogs. What else?"
"Bear in mind," said Kemp, "his food shows. After
eating, his food shows until it is assimilated. So that he has to
hide after eating. You must keep on beating--every thicket, every
quiet corner. And put all weapons, all implements that might be
weapons, away. He can't carry such things for long. And what he can
snatch up and strike men with must be hidden away."
"Good again," said Adye. "We shall have him
yet!"
"And on the roads," said Kemp, and hesitated.
"Yes?" said Adye.
"Powdered glass," said Kemp. "It's cruel, I know.
But think of what he may do!"
Adye drew the air in between his teeth sharply. "It's
unsportsmanlike. I don't know. But I'll have powdered glass got
ready. If he goes too far--"
"The man's become inhuman, I tell you," said Kemp.
"I am as sure he will establish a reign of terror--so soon as
he has got over the emotions of this escape--as I am sure I am
talking to you. Our only chance is to be ahead. He has cut himself
off from his kind. His blood be upon his own head."
