“It's him that'll do the rattling,” said the Sergeant darkly. “He's the nearest thing to a snake I've seen outside of the Zoo.”
On this pronouncement they parted, the Sergeant boarding an omnibus bound for the Bank, and Hannasyde making his way westwards to St James's Street.
He found Randall at home, writing letters at his desk. Randall, as Benson ushered the Superintendent into the room, said without looking up from his task: “Do come in, and make yourself quite at home, my dear Superintendent. We are becoming almost boon companions, I feel. You will find cigarettes on the table by the sofa. Forgive me if I finish this letter, won't you?”
“Please do finish it,” said Hannasyde. “For I want your undivided attention, Mr Matthews!”
“You shall certainly have it,” replied Randall, his hand continuing to travel across the paper. He signed his name, enclosed the letter in an envelope, and sealed it. Then he took the telephone receiver off its hook, and dialled a number, and while waiting for an answer wrote the direction on the envelope. After that he picked up a newspaper, folded open at the racing news, and spoke into the telephone. Having placed three bets with his bookmaker he laid down the receiver, and got up. “The more arduous of the day's tasks being accomplished, I am now almost entirely at your disposal, Superintendent,” he said. “Which reminds me that I have to thank you for the removal of the brown-booted gentleman. That was most considerate of you, but you need only have given him a pair of black boots. I had no personal feeling against him, I assure you. In fact, I thought he had a nice, kind face.”
“He would no doubt be flattered to hear you say so,” replied Hannasyde. “I am sorry if his presence hampered your movements in any way. That was not my intention.”
“Of course it wasn't,” agreed Randall affably.
Hannasyde looked directly across at him. “Perhaps you have guessed why I have come here today, Mr Matthews?”
“Well, no, I don't think I have,” said Randall. “Unless, of course, it is to ask me what I was able to discover from the unsavoury gentleman in Gadsby Row?”
Hannasyde felt all at once a strong desire to take Mr Randall Matthews by the throat and choke him. Instead he answered in his most even tones: “Yes, it is to ask you that, Mr Matthews.”