In his heart the Victorian relic, bleeding though he was from such a manner, felt that he would.... Anything to get it over!
"I've got a word to say to you, Sir Humphrey"—it was no longer "My lord"—"afore we summons 'em, and then you shall see what you shall see. Meanwhile, you go and tell 'em to stand by. I'll bide 'ere."
And he bided, while the far wealthier and therefore greater man trotted round on his errand.
"I'm sorry," he said to each couple, as he ferreted it out, "but I must ask you not to go out. The emerald's found; at least ... you'll see. Only wait where you are just a moment. I'll send for you all."
He repeated that phrase three times and fixed them to their stations; then he ran back to the deliverer.
He found the deliverer at the door of the West Room.
"Come in here, Mr. Dee Boe Hun," he said. "Look round, Sir Humphrey—what do you perceive?"
"Nothing," said the Home Secretary. Then he found the manhood to add, "Hurry up!"
"Ar! 'Urry up, is it?" said the masterful policeman deliberately. "Now there's a little point to be settled first." He compressed his lips, as though for a reprimand to an inferior. "The first thing that's got to be proved—and that's simple—is, was there a winder left open here the night o' the great disaster?"
"You mean on Friday night? The day before yesterday? The night the jewel was dropped?"