“Well, we’re in for it this time. Have you issued instructions?”
“Yes. With luck we shall have our hands on him within an hour. We’ve our net round all his haunts.”
“But two hours’ start! It’s a big handicap, for you’re dealing with a genius.”
“Yet I think we can manage it. Where are you bound for?”
I told him my rooms in Westminster and then to my old flat in Park Lane. “The day of disguises is past. In half an hour I’ll be Richard Hannay. It’ll be a comfort to get into uniform again. Then I’ll look up Blenkiron.”
He grinned. “I gather you’ve had a riotous time. We’ve had a good many anxious messages from the north about a certain Mr Brand. I couldn’t discourage our men, for I fancied it might have spoiled your game. I heard that last night they had lost touch with you in Bradfield, so I rather expected to see you here today. Efficient body of men the Scottish police.”
“Especially when they have various enthusiastic amateur helpers.”
“So?” he said. “Yes, of course. They would have. But I hope presently to congratulate you on the success of your mission.”
“I’ll bet you a pony you don’t,” I said.
“I never bet on a professional subject. Why this pessimism?”