“At your service, sir,” the Inspector answered. “I am in charge of the investigations concerning these two recent murders.”
“Quite so,” the Home Secretary remarked. “I am very glad to meet you, Mr. Jacks. So far, I suppose, you are willing to admit that you gentlemen down at Scotland Yard have not exactly distinguished yourselves.”
“We are willing to admit that,” Inspector Jacks said.
“I do not know whether the reward will help you very much,” the Home Secretary continued. “So far as you people personally are concerned, I imagine that it will make no difference. The only point seems to be that it may bring you outside help which at the present time is being withheld.”
“The offering of the reward, sir,” Inspector Jacks said, “can do no harm, and it may possibly assist us very materially.”
“I am glad to have your opinion, Mr. Jacks,” the Home Secretary said.
There was a moment’s pause. The Minister trifled with some papers lying on the desk before him. Then he turned to his visitor and continued,—
“You will forgive my reminding you, Mr. Jacks, that I am a busy man and that this is a busy morning. You had some reason, I presume, for wishing to see me?”
“I had, sir,” the Inspector answered. “I took the liberty of waiting upon you, sir, to ask whether the idea of a reward for so large a sum came spontaneously from your department?”
The Home Secretary raised his eyebrows.