Spruce laughed.
"You are going to let me stay, then," he remarked coolly and sitting down again.
Hench sat opposite to him with a resolute air. "You don't leave this room until you fully explain what the devil you mean by dogging my footsteps in this way," he said sternly.
"Dogged is a good word, or was it dogging? Both are good words. You will have to be dogged so far as your courage is concerned. And as to dogging, it is better that I should do that than the police."
"Oh, hang your fantastical chatter!" snapped Hench with a lowering brow. "Come to the point."
"Can't you see my point now that I have mentioned the police?"
"No," said Hench briefly and obstinately.
"Curious! You are not usually so dense." Spruce puffed lightly at his cigarette and smiled blandly. "The fact is I am here on behalf of Madame Alpenny."
"What has Madame Alpenny to do with me, may I ask?"
"Oh, you may ask, and I shall reply with great pleasure. Madame Alpenny has done me the honour to make me her confidential friend, and I am now in possession of all facts connected with your gaining of a large fortune. Most people would be glad to get so much money, but few people would be ready to gain it at so heavy a price."