"That's very considerate of you, Inspector," was the grateful reply. "I'll just tap the window, if you'll allow me."
The poet obeyed the summons promptly. Harvey Grimm met him by the door and took his arm.
"They're after me, Stephen," he confided. "They're doing it jolly civilly, though. There's a time for going on to the bitter end and there's a time for dropping it. I'm dropping it. Once more, good luck to you!"
The two men gripped hands. The page-boy came up again and touched Harvey Grimm on the shoulder.
"Wanted on the telephone, sir," he announced.
The former turned towards the inspector.
"Pray, don't hurry, Mr. Grimm," the latter remarked courteously. "Our time is entirely yours."
Harvey Grimm stepped into the telephone box and took up the receiver. The voice that answered his enquiry was hoarse, as though with some unnatural emotion.
"Is that Harvey Grimm?"
"Yes!"