“You’re a bright boy,” he said, “but when the day comes for you to arrest that lawyer gentleman, I trust you will, as a precautionary measure, purge your soul of all frivolities, and prepare yourself for a better world.”
“If,” said Angel, “I do not see the humorous side of being killed, I shall regard my life as badly ended.”
“Get out,” ordered the Commissioner, and Angel got.
He realized as the afternoon wore on that he was very tired, and snatched a couple of hours’ sleep before keeping the appointment he had made with Jimmy earlier in the day. Whilst he was dressing Jimmy came in—Jimmy rather white, with a surgical bandage round his head, and carrying with him the pungent scent of iodoform.
“Hullo,” said Angel in astonishment, “what on earth have you been doing?”
Jimmy cast an eye round the room in search of the most luxurious chair before replying.
“Ah,” he said with a sigh of contentment as he seated himself, “that’s better.”
Angel pointed to the bandage.
“When did this happen?”
“An hour or so ago,” said Jimmy. “Spedding is a most active man.”