"Claud!" said the Saint reprovingly. "Is that nice? Is it kind? Is that the way your dear old mother would like to hear you speak?"
"Never mind my mother—"
"How could I, Claud? I never met her. How's she getting on?"
Mr Teal swallowed and turned towards the policeman who had brought Simon in.
"What did you let him in for?" he demanded in a voice of fearful menace.
The policeman swayed slightly before the blast.
"Richards brought him up, sir. I understood you were expecting him—"
"And so you are, Claud," said the Saint. "Why be so bashful about it?"
Teal stared at him malevolently.
"Why should I be expecting you?"