"I was referring to a gentleman whose initials are A. B."
"A. B.! Wasn't that the guy who went out to look for a radium field three weeks ago today?"
"The same," said Cranbourne sweetly. "But we had reason to believe he changed his plans and accepted another invitation."
"You've been dreaming, dear," said Hipps.
"Perhaps I have, Mr. Hipps. The matter is of no great importance but I dreamt of the Old Bailey among other things and of three gentlemen, prominent in financial circles, who were charged with unlawfully detaining someone against his will and endeavouring to induce him to confide certain information."
"And then, I suppose," remarked Hipps, "you woke up and knocked over your cup of early tea."
"Why, no," replied Cranbourne. "I sat up in bed and worked out details for the flotation of the Radium Company in which I have an interest."
Hipps looked at Van Diest, shook his head and tapped his brow.
"Sure it's the heat," he said. "There ain't going to be any flotation that I've heard of."
"Think not? It would be a pity if you gentlemen gave way to overmuch expression of optimism. It hardly accords with your actions of the last few days."