`Eh?' said the chief inspector. `Speak louder, man!… Yes, that's my name.. Right. Thanks.' He drained his glass and looked sharply at his companions. `That's damned funny.I told them not to get in touch with me unless. Excuse me for a moment.'
What's the matter?' inquired Dr Fell. `Phone. Back in a moment'
They were silent as Hadley followed the waiter. In Hadley's look there had been a startled uneasiness which gave Rampole a shock….
He returned in less than two minutes, and Rampole felt something tighten in his throat. The chief inspector did not hurry he was as quiet and deliberate as ever; but his footfalls sounded louder on the tiled floor, and under the bright lights his face was pale.
Stopping a moment at the bar, he spoke a few words and then returned to the table.
`I've ordered you all a drink,' he said slowly. `A whisky. It's just three minutes until closing time, and then we shall have to go.'
`Go?' repeated Sir William. `Go where?'
Hadley did not speak until the waiter had brought the drinks and left the table. Then he said, `Good luck!' hastily drank a little whisky, and set the glass down with care. Again Rampole was conscious of that tightening sense of terror….
'Sir William,' Hadley, went on, looking at the other levelly, `I hope you will prepare yourself for a shock:
'Yes?' said the knight.