The Inspector gathered from the gracious bestowal of a title upon the head-gardener that he was a person to be reckoned with, but being wholly uninterested in the niceties of social distinctions in the servants' hall he said disrespectfully: "Well, where does this Galloway keep his ladder?"
"Mr. Galloway," said Sturry, impersonating an iceberg, "keeps all his tools under Lock and Key. Being Scotch," he added, in explanation of this idiosyncrasy.
"Where does he keep the key?"
"I am sure I could not take it upon myself to say," said Sturry repressively.
"Well, what happens when he's off duty, and someone wants a pair of clippers, or something?"
"That," said Sturry, "is an eventuality which Mr. Galloway does not Hold With, him being very particular, and Gentlemen notoriously careless with tools."
The Inspector eyed him smoulderingly. "Did you ever read the story of the frog that burst?" he asked ominously.
"No," replied Sturry, meeting his gaze squarely.
"You should," said the Inspector.
Sturry bowed. "I will bear it in mind, if ever I should have the leisure," he said, and withdrew in what Hemingway was forced to admit was good order.