"So much I gathered from Baggin's agitation on our retreat," said Poltavo. "Where, may I ask, is this interesting piece of literature deposited?"
The cool, matter-of-fact demand almost took T. B.'s breath away.
"It is at present at Scotland Yard," he said.
"With my—er—dossier?" asked the voice, and a little laugh followed.
"Rather with the dossier of your friend Baggin," said T. B.
"In case I should ever want to—how do you say—burgle Scotland Yard," said the drawling voice again, "could you give me explicit instructions where to find it?"
T. B.'s anxiety was to keep Poltavo engaged in conversation until the officer he had despatched to the telephone returned.
"Yes," he said, "at present it is in the cabinet marked 'Unclassified Data,' but I cannot promise you that it will remain there. You see, count, I have too high an opinion of your enterprise and daring."
He waited for a reply, but no reply came, and at that moment the door opened and the constable he had sent on the errand appeared.
T. B. covered the transmitter again.