"I'm afraid I quite spoilt the local postmaster's Sunday by requesting that a pillar-box should be specially cleared, and producing an authority from the Postmaster-general. After he had telegraphed to head-quarters and received a reply confirming the letter, he reluctantly acquiesced."
"And it was addressed to this man Cressit?" enquired Sir Lyster.
"Yes. He is a temporary staff-clerk in the Plans Department. Incidentally he is something of a Don Juan, and the cost of living has increased considerably, as you know, sir," he added, turning to the Prime Minister.
Mr. Llewellyn John smiled wanly. It was his political "cross," this cost-of-living problem.
"And what shall we do with him?" enquired Sir Lyster. "The scoundrel," he added.
"I have almost done with him as a matter of fact," said Malcolm Sage.
"Done with him?" exclaimed Lord Beamdale.
"I sent him a telegram in Miss Blair's name to be at Odford Station to-night at seven: then I kidnapped him."
"Good heavens, Sage I What do you mean?" cried Mr. Llewellyn John, with visions of the Habeas Corpus Act and possible questions in the House, which he hated.
"We managed to get him to enter my car, and then we went through him—that is a phrase from the crook-world. We found upon him the marriage certificate, and later I induced him to confess. I am now going to take him back to my office, secure his finger-prints and physical measurements, which will be of interest at Scotland Yard."