"I say, Adolf, he ain't one of them Embassy people you have been bothered with of late ?" "Bothered with Embassy people," repeated Mr Verloc, with a heavy start of surprise and fear.

"Who's been talking to you of the Embassy people ?" "Yourself." "I! I! Talked of the Embassy to you!" Mr Verloc seemed scared and bewildered beyond measure.

His wife explained: "You've been talking a little in your sleep of late, Adolf." "What--what did I say?
What do you know ?" "Nothing much.

It seemed mostly nonsense.

Enough to let me guess that something worried you." Mr Verloc rammed his hat on his head.