The police-lieutenant's red face grew redder. He opened and shut his mouth twice before he spoke.
"Again?" he muttered.
Quirk nodded.
"That's all I know about it," he said.
"Well, why in hell didn't you tell me this right off at first?" asked the querulous Donovan.
"Because I didn't think I'd have to," pleaded Quirk.
"Have to? Looks to me like the have-to business all came on to me! How long've I got to put this across?"
Quirk appeared to consider.
"You'd have to begin with the first thing right away," he said, "and let me know about that. If it didn't work, I'd get my party to give me fuller instructions, and then I guess you'd have eighteen days."
"I'm gettin' sick of the whole game," said Donovan.