"Looking after me, you mean?"
"Looking after you, Lady Eileen."
Bundle had risen to her feet. Now she stood undecided. So far the honours lay with Superintendent Battle. Then she remembered one slight incident, and she based a last appeal upon it.
"I said just now that an amateur could do some things which a professional couldn't. You didn't contradict me. That's because you're an honest man, Superintendent Battle. You knew I was right."
"Go on," said Battle quietly.
"At Chimneys you let me help. Won't you let me help now?"
Battle seemed to be turning the thing over in his mind. Emboldened by his silence, Bundle continued.
"You know pretty well what I'm like, Superintendent Battle. I butt into things. I'm a Nosey Parker. I don't want to get in your way or to try and do things that you're doing and can do a great deal better. But if there's a chance for an amateur, let me have it."
Again there was a pause, and then Superintendent Battle said quietly:
"You couldn't have spoken fairer than you have done, Lady Eileen. But I'm just going to say this to you. What you propose is dangerous. And when I say dangerous, I mean dangerous."