Baddeley smiled. “You aren’t looking too downcast yourself, Mr. Bathurst. All the same I haven’t exactly been wasting my time since I had the pleasure of last seeing you.”
“Good,” replied Anthony. “Going to take me into your confidence at last?”
The Inspector remained silent.
“No? Very unsporting of you——” Anthony grinned. “When are you making your arrest?”
But Baddeley didn’t take too kindly to his raillery. “At the right time, Mr. Bathurst, neither before nor after.”
Anthony purposely overlooked the acerbity in his tone and continued gaily:
“I’m sure of that, Inspector,” then provocatively again—“What I’m afraid of is that you’ll collar the wrong person. And my regard for you is such that I’m anxious that you shouldn’t.”
“I’m not denying it’s a very puzzling case, Mr. Bathurst,” rejoined Baddeley, “neither am I pretending that it’s all as clear as daylight to me—yet—but I’m getting on very nicely, thank you, and the last little ray of sunshine may come at any moment. They very often come when least expected.”
Sir Charles Considine, Lady Considine and Jack joined us.
“Ah, Baddeley!” cried Sir Charles—“what luck in your chase—did you get into touch with him all right? Did you get what you wanted?”