“All this is rather marvelous,” he said slowly, after a long pause. He had avoided Clancy’s gaze after the first few words, and sank into an armchair with an air of weariness that was not assumed.
“Simple enough,” commented the detective readily. Above all else he wanted Meiklejohn to talk. “I was on duty outside the club, and heard almost every word that passed between you and Rachel.”
“Well, well.”
The Senator arose and pressed an electric bell.
“If you don’t mind,” he explained suavely, “I’ll order some coffee and rolls. Will you join me?”
This was the parry of a skilled duelist to divert an attack and gain breathing-time. Clancy rather admired such adroitness.
“Sorry, I can’t on principle,” he countered.
“How—on principle?”
“You see, Senator, I may have to arrest you, and I never eat with any man with whom I may clash professionally.”
“You take risks, Mr. Clancy.”