“Safe from interruption?”

“Yes.”

“Then I’m going to astonish you; probably shock you.”

“How?”

“First, by telling you that the poor dog, which was killed last night, was not so easily deceived as you were.”

“Deceived. Why——”

“Had your perceptions been as clear as the dog’s, you, too, might have met his fate.”

“Ketchum, this is mummery. What are you trying to say?”

“Please don’t call me Ketchum.”

“Why?”