Chief Inspector Heat had been all the way home, and had even gone so far as to think of getting into his slippers, since practically he was, he told himself, chucked out of that case.

He indulged in some scornful and in a few angry thoughts, and found the occupation so unsatisfactory that he resolved to seek relief out of doors.

Nothing prevented him paying a friendly call to Mr Verloc, casually as it were.

It was in the character of a private citizen that walking out privately he made use of his customary conveyances.

Their general direction was towards Mr Verloc's home.