If he was to be made to do what they wished, it would have to be through the persuasion of some one outside the Force.

To whom should they appeal?
The question answered itself.

Mr.Roberts was approaching from the front, and to him they turned.

Would he use his influence with this stranger?
"He may listen to you," urged the Coroner in the whispered conference which now followed, "if you explain to him how much patience you and all the rest of the people in the building have had to exercise in this unhappy crisis.

He seems a good enough fellow, but not in line with our ideas." Mr.Roberts, who saw the man for the first time, surveyed him in astonishment.
"Where was he standing ?" he asked.
"Just where you see him now--or so he says." "He couldn't have been.