"You see, sir, this Case has been fully considered by the authorities, and it has an ugly look; and it has therefore been decided to charge you with causing the death of the woman Bough by an illegal act, performed here, in your consulting-room, on the twentieth instant, when she visited you ..."
"For the first time," put in Saxham quietly.
"That may be or may not be," said the Superintendent. "You were often at her husband's place of business, you know, and may have seen her or not seen her."
"As she used to be in Bough's shop, it is possible that a great many of the man's customers besides myself did see her," Saxham went on, eating his breakfast.
"One of my men out there in the hall—I've noticed you looking towards the door——" began the Superintendent.
"Wondering what the shuffling and breathing at the keyhole meant?" said Saxham quietly. "Thank you for explaining."
"One of my men will fetch a cab when you have finished breakfast, and then, sir," said the Superintendent, "I am afraid I must trouble you to come with me to Paddington Police Station."
"Very well," said Saxham, frowning, "unless you object to using my brougham, which will be at the door"—he looked at his silver table-clock, a present from a grateful patient—"in ten minutes' time."
"I don't at all mind that, sir," agreed the obliging Superintendent; "and the men can follow in the cab. Any objection?"
Saxham had winced and flushed scarlet to the hair.