outrage. At the same time one is forced to
the conclusion that he did not know enough English to ask his way, unless
one were to accept the fantastic theory that he was a deaf mute. I
wonder now--But this is idle. He has destroyed himself by an accident,
obviously. Not an extraordinary accident. But an extraordinary little
fact remains: the address on his clothing discovered by the merest
accident, too. It is an incredible little fact, so incredible that the
explanation which will account for it is bound to touch the bottom of
this affair. Instead of instructing Heat to go on with this case, my
intention is to seek this explanation personally--by myself, I mean where
it may be picked up. That is in a certain shop in Brett Street, and on
the lips of a certain secret agent once upon a time the confidential and
trusted spy of the late Baron Stott-Wartenheim, Ambassador of a Great
Power to the Court of St James."

The Assistant Commissioner paused, then added: "Those fellows are a
perfect pest." In order to raise his drooping glance to the speaker's
face, the Personage on the hearthrug had gradually tilted his head
farther back, which gave him an aspect of extraordinary haughtiness.

"Why not leave it to Heat?"

"Because he is an old departmental hand. They have their own morality.
My line of inquiry would appear to him an awful perversion of duty. For
him the plain duty is to fasten the guilt upon as many prominent
anarchists as he can on some slight indications he had picked up in the
course of his investigation on the spot; whereas I, he would say, am bent
upon vindicating their innocence. I am trying to be as lucid as I can in
presenting this obscure matter to you without details."

"He would, would he?" muttered the proud head of Sir Ethelred from its
lofty elevation.

"I am afraid so--with an indignation and disgust of which you or I can
have no idea. He's an excellent servant. We must not put an undue
strain on his loyalty. That's always a mistake. Besides, I want a free
hand--a freer hand than it would be perhaps advisable to give Chief
Inspector Heat. I haven't the slightest wish to spare this man Verloc.
He will, I imagine, be extremely startled to find his connection with
this affair, whatever it may be, brought home to him so quickly.
Frightening him will not be very difficult. But our true objective lies
behind him somewhere. I want your authority to give him such assurances
of personal