"Anything missing, sir?" he asked.
Tallente swung the door to and came back to his chair.
"Yes!" he admitted.
"Can I make a note of the nature of the loss, sir?" the man asked, moistening his pencil.
"A political paper of some personal consequence," Tallente replied. "Its absence disquiets me. It also confirms my belief that Palliser is lying doggo for a time."
"A hint as to the contents of the missing paper would be very acceptable, sir," Inspector Gillian begged.
Tallente shook his head.
"For the present," he decided, "I can only repeat what I said a few moments ago—I have given you just as much information as I feel inclined to."
The inspector rose to his feet.
"My report will not be wholly satisfactory to Scotland Yard, sir," he declared.