He was that villain from whom all the others took their orders, the man whom the Princess shuddered at.

Before starting he had loaded his pistol.

Now he tugged it from his waterproof pocket, pointed it at the other and fired.
The man seemed to be hit, for he spun round and clapped a hand to his left arm.

Then he fled through the door, which he left open.
Dickson was after him like a hound.

At the door he saw him running and raised his pistol for another shot.