"This is a private line which cannot be traced," he said. "I am telling you that in case you should have any idea of going back on your bargain."
"Why should I?" Simon enquired guilelessly. "I want that money too much."
"I am only warning you. If in the course of this conversation you should say anything which might make us suspect that you were trying to evade our agreement you will be killed at once. If you have no intention of double-crossing us the warning can do you no harm."
He pushed the telephone across the desk, and Simon picked up the receiver.
Without a shadow of hesitation he dialled the private number of Chief Inspector Claud Eustace Teal.
IX
The only thing left was to pray that Teal would be there. Simon glanced at his watch while he waited for the connection. Mr Teal was not a man who had many diversions outside his job, and at that hour he should have been peacefully installed beside his hearth, chewing spearmint and doing whatever homely things chief inspectors did when they were off duty. And while the Saint was holding his breath the answer, in a familiar sleepy voice, came on the line.
"Hullo."
"Hullo," said Simon. "This is the Saint."
There was a moment's pause.