"Come up and wait in my flat."
"Couldn't do that, sir. I've got to keep an eye on this door."
Simon nodded.
"Well, I'll be off," he sighed. "I'll be upstairs if you want me."
"If anything's happened, I expect the inspector will want to see you, sir. May I have your name?"
"Essenden," said Simon Templar glibly. "Marmaduke Essenden. Your inspector will know the name."
He saw the name written down in the official notebook, and went up the stairs. On the landing above, he waited until he heard the constable tramping downwards, and then he descended again and let himself into his own flat.
He was reading, in his pajamas and a dressing gown, when his bell rang again an hour and a half later; and he opened the door at once.
Teal was outside; and behind Teal was the constable. Seeing Simon, the constable goggled.
"That's the man, sir," he blurted.