"Trouble?" he echoed. "That's the last thing I'm looking for."
Mr. Cullen smiled grimly.
"Ah! I thank you," he said. "A pearl necklace, I see! You must allow me to take charge of this, please."
Mr. Parker's look of surprise was admirably done.
"That is my daughter's necklace," he explained. "The fastening has become loose."
"Exactly!" Mr. Cullen sneered. "I am now going to ask you all three to come with me without any further delay to Bow Street."
"This man is mad!" Mr. Parker sighed, leaning back in his place—"stark, staring mad! His interference with my meals is becoming unwarrantable."
"If you take my advice you will avoid a scene," the detective said, leaning a little over the table. "Believe me, I am not to be trifled with. If you do not come willingly there are other means. I am simply trying to avoid a disturbance in a public restaurant."
Mr. Parker rose reluctantly to his feet.
"Eve, dear," he said, "I suppose we may as well obey this very autocratic person. The sooner we go the sooner we shall be back to supper. Mr. Walmsley, I owe you my most profound apologies. I had no idea when I asked you to join us that you would become involved in anything disagreeable."