A Mask for the Toff Read Free Page B

the back of the head. The cap saved him from the worst effect, but he reeled away, only capable of feeble defence. He turned instinctively so that his back was against the car and he couldn’t be attacked from behind again. He saw a man leap at him, and heard metal smash against the car.
    He shot out his foot, and fended the assailant off. The man he had knocked out first was getting to his feet. Out of the corner of his eye, Rollison saw Downing. Downing didn’t join in the fight, but opened the car door. It came within a few inches of Rollison. Rollison fended the other man off, and slammed the door. It hit Downing’s hand; he heard a gasp of pain, saw a big, vicious face twisted with rage and agony. But at three to one he couldn’t hold out for long, and—
    A whistle sounded shrilly, and suddenly men pounded along the street towards the car, from the direction from which Rollison had come. Downing started and stared towards this new threat. He had his right hand under his arm, but moved and spoke as if he were in no pain.
    â€œRun for it. Run.”
    â€œ But—” protested one of the other men.
    â€œI said run .”
    All three turned and raced towards the corner, while the others came on from the far end. Rollison straightened up. The police had their moments, even if Bill Ebbutt and Bert Noddy preferred to avoid them, on principle.
    In fact there were no police; only three men, dressed much as Rollison was then.
    â€œOkay, Mr. Ar?” One man burst out, as they drew near.
    â€œYes. Get after them.”
    â€œSure!” They sped past, while Rollison pushed back his cap, rubbed his head gingerly, and wished that his shoulder would stop aching. The sound of footsteps faded, he had no idea whether the second trio would catch up on the first; he doubted it. Bill Ebbutt had doubtless sent him a bodyguard, and one of its members had used a police whistle. Rollison opened the rear door of the car, groped for the light, and pressed the switch down.
    The girl sat huddled in a corner, her eyes closed. There were puffy red marks at her throat, but she was breathing normally. He found a big lump on her right temple, but no other signs of injury.
    Then her lips moved.
    â€œMadame!” she moaned. “Madame Thysson. Madame …”
    Her voice trailed off; and she didn’t speak again, showed no reaction when he spoke to her.
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Chapter Three
Home From Home
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    One of Ebbutt’s men came back, panting. He did not need to report that Downing and the two men had dodged him and his friends. Rollison took off his coat and put it round the girl. The others returned as Rollison backed out of the car.
    â€œHow is she?” a man asked.
    â€œShe’ll do. One of you get a doctor, and the other telephone for the police. Yes, we must have the police.”
    He didn’t wait for comment, but went straight into Noddy’s house, putting on all the lights. In the kitchen he found Noddy and his wife, both unconscious. The woman was lying across the little man, and beginning to come round. Noddy had an ugly wound in his forehead, but was breathing. Rollison hurried outside, where one of the three men was on guard by the car.
    â€œShe’s coming to,” he said.
    The girl who couldn’t speak English was now sitting upright, and blinking in the faint light of the roof lamp.
    â€œI’ll look after her,” Rollison said. “When the police arrive, tell them I took her away.”
    â€œOkay, Mr. Ar.”
    Rollison opened the rear door, and the girl pressed back against the corner. He spoke in French.
    â€œDo you speak French, madame?”
    She started up.
    â€œYes, yes!”
    â€œI am going to take you to my apartment, where you will be with friends,” said Rollison. “We’ll soon be there.”
    He smiled and closed the door, leaving the light on. The engine started at a touch, and he drove fast through the narrow streets, passing