For a moment he could not speak.
'You know Lord Creedmore was warned this morning that a number had escaped from the county asylum,' continued Logotheti, still speaking to Griggs, and pretending to lower his voice.
'Lunatics ?' roared the man when he got his breath, exasperated out of his civil manner.

'Lunatics, sir?
We are from Scotland Yard, sir, I'd have you know!' 'Yes, yes,' answered the Greek, 'we quite understand.

Humour them, my dear chap,' he added in an undertone that was meant to be heard.
'Yes,' he continued in a cajoling tone, 'I guessed at once that you were from police headquarters.

If you'll kindly show me your warrant--' He stopped politely, and nudged Griggs with his elbow, so that the detectives should be sure to see the movement.

The chief saw the awkwardness of his own position, measured the bony veteran and the athletic foreigner with his eye, and judged that if the two were convinced that they were dealing with madmen they would make a pretty good fight.
'Excuse me,' the officer said, speaking calmly, 'but you are under a gross misapprehension about us.