At the end of the fourth stride Mr Vladimir felt infuriated and uneasy.

This could not last.
"Rotten weather," he growled savagely.
"Mild," said the Assistant Commissioner without passion.

He remained silent for a little while.

"We've got hold of a man called Verloc," he announced casually.
Mr Vladimir did not stumble, did not stagger back, did not change his stride.

But he could not prevent himself from exclaiming: "What ?" The Assistant Commissioner did not repeat his statement.