Page:Bailey - Call Mr Fortune (Dutton, 1921).djvu/26

Rh big car driven fast hit him from behind on the right side, fractured two ribs, and knocked him down. Impact of his head on the road has caused a serious concussion. That car should have stopped."

Reggie smiled. "Oh, one of the odd things is that it didn't."

"There's a damned lot of road hogs about, my boy." said Sir Lawson heartily. He was himself fond of high speed. "Well. They sent out, I suppose. Found him lying on his face unconscious."

"No, sir."

"What?" Sir Lawson jumped.

"He was lying on his back."

"Oh, that's absurd."

"Yes, sir. But I've seen his valet who found him."

"These fellows have no observation," Sir Lawson grunted, but there was some animation in his boiled eye. "Damme, Fortune, he ought to have been on his face."

"Yes, sir."

"Miracles don't happen."

"No, sir."

"Now these abrasions on the legs. As if the car had been driven at him again while he lay. A queer thing. Or have there been two cars at him?"

"And there is this too, sir." Reggie held out the sliver of steel.

"I saw the puncture. I was coming to that. Humph! Whoever put this in meant business."