"Milburgh!" smiled the other mockingly. "I am sorry to interrupt this beautiful scene, but the occasion is a desperate one and I cannot afford to stand on ceremony, Mr. Tarling."
Tarling put the girl from him and looked at the smirking manager. One comprehensive glance the detective gave him, noted the cycling clips and the splashes of mud on his trousers, and understood.
"So you were the cyclist, eh?" he said.
"That's right," said Milburgh, "it is an exercise to which I am very partial."
"What do you want?" asked Tarling, alert and watchful.
"I want you to carry out your promise, Mr. Tarling," said Milburgh smoothly.
Tarling stared at him.
"My promise," he said, "what promise?"
"To protect, not only the evil-doer, but those who have compromised themselves in an effort to shield the evil-doer from his or her own wicked act."
Tarling started.