The Chief Constable, although quite a
decent fellow, is a stickler for routine. On the strength of those
facts which I thought fit to place before him he could see no reason
for superseding Aylesbury. Accordingly, without further waste of time,
I headed straight for Whitehall. You may remember a somewhat elaborate
report which I completed upon the eve of our departure from Chancery
Lane?"
I nodded.
"A very thankless job for the Home Office, Knox. But I received my
reward to-day. Inspector Wessex has been placed in charge of the case
and I hope he will be down here within the hour. Pending his arrival I
am tied hand and foot."
We had walked into the library, and, stopping, suddenly, Harley stared
me very hard in the face.
"You are bottling something up, Knox," he declared. "Out with it. Has
Aylesbury distinguished himself again?"
"No," I replied; "on the contrary. He interviewed Madame de Staemer, and
came out with a flea in his ear."
"Good," said Harley, smiling. "A clever woman, and a woman of spirit,
Knox."
"You are right," I replied, "and you are also right in supposing that I
have a communication to make to you.
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