"We can have a little more light here," said he, starting toward the alcove, behind whose curtains Stodger was at that moment, I daresay, hastily planning a means of precipitate retreat. I was already seated myself, and I stayed his progress only in the nick of time.
"Burke!" I called sharply.
He wheeled about, a trifle disconcerted, I imagined.
"Please sit down," I went on authoritatively. "You are not precisely at liberty to go just where you please; for the present I 'm responsible for your movements."
He shrugged his shoulders and returned to his chair, remarking in an unemotional way:
"I forgot that I was under arrest."
I did n't trouble to define his position. At best it was at that instant an anomalous one; so far as I knew there were no grounds upon which to hold him at all; and while I would have hesitated to say that he was actually in custody, at the same time it is also true that I would not have permitted him to walk out of the house and away, had he desired to do so.
"Now, Mr. Burke," I went on, "tell me just what you know about this matter. Don't slur details; take your time."
"I know very little, Mr. Swift."
"Let's have it, nevertheless."