Till you were called into this room--you know." The Chief Inspector felt as if the air between his clothing and his skin had become unpleasantly hot.

It was the sensation of an unprecedented and incredible experience.
"Of course," he said, exaggerating the deliberation of his utterance to the utmost limits of possibility, "if there is a reason, of which I know nothing, for not interfering with the convict Michaelis, perhaps it's just as well I didn't start the county police after him." This took such a long time to say that the unflagging attention of the Assistant Commissioner seemed a wonderful feat of endurance.

His retort came without delay.
"No reason whatever that I know of.

Come, Chief Inspector, this finessing with me is highly improper on your part--highly improper.

And it's also unfair, you know.