Angel dawdled through the sweet, and took an unconscionable time over his coffee. Jimmy, fretting to be gone, groaned as his volatile companion ordered yet another liqueur.
“That’s horribly insidious muck to drink,” grumbled Jimmy.
“Inelegant, but true,” said Angel.
He was amused at the obvious efforts of the spy at the other table to kill time also. Then suddenly Angel rose, leaving his drink untasted, and reached for his hat.
“Come along,” he said briskly.
“This is very sudden,” remarked the impatient Jimmy.
They walked to the desk and paid their bill, and out of the corner of his eye Angel could see the dapper Frenchman following them out.
They stepped out along Shaftesbury Avenue; then Jimmy stopped and fumbled in his pocket. In his search he turned round, facing the direction from which he had come. The dapper Frenchman was sauntering toward him, whilst behind him came two roughly-dressed men. Then Jimmy saw the two men quicken their pace. Passing one on each side of Callvet, each took an arm affectionately, and the three turned into Rupert Street, Angel and Jimmy following.
Jimmy saw the three bunched together, and heard the click of the handcuffs. Then Angel whistled a passing cab. The captive’s voice rose. “Stick a handkerchief in his mouth,” said Angel, and one of the men obeyed. The two stood watching the cab till it turned the corner.
“There is no sense in taking unnecessary risks,” said Angel cheerfully. “It is one thing being a fool, and another being a silly fool. Now we’ll go along and see what else happens.”