"Oh, yes," was the offhand answer. "I have every reason to believe that Mr. Winter and I will make an arrest without undue loss of time."
"I am glad to hear it. Thus far your methods have not inspired the confidence I, as a member of the public, was inclined to repose in Scotland Yard. I am going to my rooms now, and dine at a quarter to eight. About nine o'clock I wish to go into matters thoroughly with Mr. Winter and you. At present, I think it only fair to say that I am not satisfied with the measures, whatever they may be, you have seen fit to adopt."
He seemed to await a retort, but none came, so he strode across the hall and hurried up the stairs. Furneaux continued to gaze blankly down the long, straight avenue, nor did he utter a word till a door opened and closed on the first floor in the southeast corner.
Then he spoke.
"Some people are very hard to please," he said plaintively.
Winter beckoned to the footman.
"Do you mind asking Mr. Tomlinson if he can come here for a moment?" he said. When the man disappeared he muttered—
"Why are you stroking everybody's fur the wrong way, Charles?"
"A useful simile, James. If they resemble cats we may see sparks, and each of those young men has something of the tiger in him."