The Minister trifled with some papers lying on the desk before him.

Then he turned to his visitor and continued,-- "You will forgive my reminding you, Mr.Jacks, that I am a busy man and that this is a busy morning.

You had some reason, I presume, for wishing to see me ?" "I had, sir," the Inspector answered.

"I took the liberty of waiting upon you, sir, to ask whether the idea of a reward for so large a sum came spontaneously from your department ?" The Home Secretary raised his eyebrows.
"Really, Mr.Jacks," he began,-- "I hope, sir," the Inspector protested, "that you will not think I am asking this question through any irrelevant curiosity.

I am beginning to form a theory of my own as to these two murders, but it needs building up.