And when Chief Inspector Heat heard of a man dark, thin, with a long face and turned up moustaches, he gave signs of perturbation, and exclaimed: "Dash me if I didn't think so! He hasn't lost any time." He was intensely disgusted in the secrecy of his heart at the unofficial conduct of his immediate chief.

But he was not quixotic.

He lost all desire to await Mr Verloc's return.

What they had gone out for he did not know, but he imagined it possible that they would return together.
The case is not followed properly, it's being tampered with, he thought bitterly.
"I am afraid I haven't time to wait for your husband," he said.
Mrs Verloc received this declaration listlessly.

Her detachment had impressed Chief Inspector Heat all along.