"Oh dear, nothing, nothing at all!" cried Mr. Rodney petulantly. "I—I——Good night!"
And he suddenly hastened upstairs four steps at a time, displaying the activity of a wild-cat and the excitement of a van-load of monkeys.
"Well, of all the snivelling, psalm-singing, nonconformist, Salvation Army sets of fellows that ever I met in my life," said the Duke irrelevantly, "this one takes the——"
He paused, and sat for a moment listening to the wild symphony of the paragon, who was sunk deep in his armchair with his huge head plunged upon his chest.
"That fellow's as broad awake as I am," muttered the Duke to himself, "and broader! But I'll be even with him, crafty as he is!"
He got up softly, went to the swing-door that led to the detectives' quarters, put his head through it and hissed, "Bliggins!"
Bliggins appeared, wiping curry, trifle and champagne from his startled features. The Duke beckoned to him and jerked his chin upwards.
Bliggins approached, assuming his hungry look.
"D'you hear that?" the Duke whispered.
"Which, sir?"