"And now," added Superintendent Battle ruefully, "I've got to think of something to say to Sir Stanley Digby!"
Chapter XXIII
Superintendent Battle In Charge
It was ten o'clock on the following morning. The sun poured in through the windows of the library, where Superintendent Battle had been at work since six. On a summons from him, George Lomax, Sir Oswald Coote and Jimmy Thesiger had just joined him, having repaired the fatigues of the night with a substantial breakfast. Jimmy's arm was in a sling, but he bore little other trace of the night's affray.
The Superintendent eyed all three of them benevolently, somewhat with the air of a kindly curator explaining a museum to little boys. On the table beside him were various objects, neatly labelled. Amongst them Jimmy recognized Leopold.
"Ah, Superintendent," said George, "I have been anxious to know how you have progressed. Have you caught the man?"
"He'll take a lot of catching, he will," said the Superintendent easily.
His failure in that respect did not appear to rankle with him.
George Lomax did not look particularly well pleased. He detested levity of any kind.
"I've got everything taped out pretty clearly," went on the detective.