The Inspector fixed him with a bright, enquiring gaze. "Got any ideas about that, sir?"
Stephen slipped the case into his pocket. After a moment's hesitation, he said: "No. Not immediately. When I do get an idea -"
"Now, you don't want to go taking the law into your own hands, sir!" interrupted the Inspector. "What do you think I'm here for? If you know anything, you tell me, and don't start any rough-houses on your own, because though I can't say I'd blame you, I'd have to take you up for disturbing the peace, which, properly speaking, isn't my line of business at all."
Stephen laughed. "What would you do if you found that someone had tried to do the dirty on you to this tune, Inspector?"
The Inspector coughed. "Report it to the proper quarters," he said firmly.
"Well, I'd rather rub his damned nose in it!" said Stephen.
"As long as you don't go farther than that, I've no objection," said Hemingway, with the utmost cordiality. "And if you want a bit of advice, don't go leaving any more of your things about! It puts highly unsuitable ideas into people's heads, besides setting the police off on wildgoose chases, which is a very reprehensible thing to do, let me tell you!"
"Sorry!" Stephen said. "Very annoying for you: you must now be back exactly where you started."
"Oh, I wouldn't say that!" Hemingway replied.
"No, I don't suppose you would: not to me, at any rate. If it's all the same to you, I'd now like to go back and finish my breakfast."