“I love ’em. I’d cut my job to-day if it wasn’t for the occasional excitement.”
The valet appeared.
“Coffee and rolls for two, Phillips,” said Meiklejohn. He turned to Clancy. “Perhaps you would prefer toast and an egg?”
“I have breakfasted already, Senator,” smiled the detective, “but I may dally with the coffee.”
When the door was closed on Phillips, his master glanced at a clock on the mantelpiece. The hour was eight-fifteen. Some days elapsed before Clancy interpreted that incident correctly.
“You rose early,” said the Senator.
“Yes, but worms are coy this morning.”
“Meaning that you still await answers to your questions. I’ll deal with you fully and frankly, but I’m curious to know on what conceivable ground you could arrest me for the murder of my friend Ronald Tower.”
“As an accessory before the act.”