Edgar Wallace

“ Jimmy's heart beat a little faster. He raised his shackled hands to take the cigarette from his lips, and Lord Harry, noticing the gesture, smiled.
“I'm sorry we can't release you from those fetters,” he said. “I do sincerely hope you can convince us that you're not—dangerous.”
“In what way dangerous?” asked Jimmy.
“The only form of dangerousness we recognize is an inclination to talk,” said Lord Harry, and went out of the room.
He was gone a quarter of an hour, and came back with the prime minister. Mr. Chapelle had changed considerably since Jimmy had seen him last. ”

“ Somebody had shattered it with an iron bar, and that somebody, Jimmy knew, was Ferdie Ponter.
“Quick, Jimmy!” yelled a voice.
He dashed to the window, held up his chained hands, and something round and egg-shaped was thrust into them. Stooping, he drew out the pin of the Mills bomb with his teeth.
“Just a moment, gentlemen,” he mocked. “You may be interested to know that if any one comes near me, this bomb will fall from my hands—and explode. ”

“ He had passed from the pleasantly old to the painfully old, but he was as straight and held his head as high as ever, and when he spoke there was no break in his rasping, menacing tone.
“You would not keep out of this, Mr. Blake, and you have yourself to thank for your serious position. I was afraid this would happen.” ”