Then, with ponderous deliberation, he refolded the form and replaced it in the envelope, freshened up the gum on the flap from a pot of paste on his desk, and dried his handiwork carefully before the gas fire.
He returned the telegram to the messenger.
"Now you can take that on to Mr. Cullis," he said. "But you needn't mention my name."
"No, sir."
The vestige of a smile twitched at Teal's mouth as the constable departed. It was perhaps fortunate for him that the messenger owed a recent promotion entirely to Teal's good offices, and might therefore be safely counted upon to obey his somewhat eccentric injunction.
The messenger had closed the door behind him; but as his footsteps died away along the corridor, Teal rose silently and opened the door again. Turning out the light he waited close by the switch, listening patiently.
He heard the constable return and go down the stairs, and five minutes later he heard a different footfall coming towards him.
Cullis's office was at the far end of the same corridor, and Teal stepped silently out of his darkened doorway as the assistant commissioner reached it.
"Heavens, you gave me a start!" said Cullis peevishly. "I wish you wouldn't creep about in those rubber soles."
"Regulation boots, sir," said Teal phlegmatically, falling into step beside the assistant commissioner. "Get the order changed, and I'll get the rubbers taken off. Nice day it's been today, hasn't it?"