"Perkins has already sent it off to Scotland Yard." "I never thought of that.

It would be rather a waste of time to take them before knowing that," said Mr.Manley.
Holloway brought the coffee; Mr.Manley gave Mr.Flexen an excellent cigar, and they talked about the war.

Mr.Flexen drank his coffee quickly, said that he must get back to his work, and added that he hoped that he would enjoy the company of Mr.Manley at dinner.

Mr.Manley had been going to dine with Helena Truslove; but after Mr.Flexen's question whether Lord Loudwater had been entangled with any woman in the neighbourhood, he thought that he had better dine with him.

He might learn something useful, if he could induce Mr.Flexen to expand under the relaxing influence of dinner.