Almost as he did so there came five knocks on the outer grating, proclaiming the arrival of the first of the conspirators.
"Well," said Syme slowly, "I don't know how to tell you the truth more shortly than by saying that your expedient of dressing up as an aimless poet is not confined to you or your President.

We have known the dodge for some time at Scotland Yard." Gregory tried to spring up straight, but he swayed thrice.
"What do you say ?" he asked in an inhuman voice.
"Yes," said Syme simply, "I am a police detective.

But I think I hear your friends coming." From the doorway there came a murmur of "Mr.Joseph Chamberlain." It was repeated twice and thrice, and then thirty times, and the crowd of Joseph Chamberlains (a solemn thought) could be heard trampling down the corridor..