"Thank you, sir," replied the detective with diffidence; "I am quite well, and trust you are."
"I think I know what has brought you here," continued the Home Secretary. "You have been following——"
"Séverac Bablon! Yes, sir!"
"As I supposed. Well, it will be expedient, Inspector, religiously to keep that name out of the Press in future! Furthermore—er—any warrant that may be in existence must be cancelled! This is a matter of policy, and I am sending the necessary instructions to the Criminal Investigation Department. In short—drop the case!"
Chief Inspector Sheffield looked rather dazed.
"No doubt, this is a surprise to you," continued Mr. Belford; "but do not allow it to be a disappointment. Your tactful conduct of the case, and the delicate manner in which you have avoided compromising anyone—in which you have handicapped yourself, that others might not be implicated—has not been overlooked. Your future is assured, Inspector Sheffield."
The gentleman who had admitted Sheffield had left the apartment almost immediately afterwards. Now he returned, and fastened a pin in the detective's tie.
"By way of apology for spoiling your case, Sheffield!" he said.
What Sheffield said or did at that moment he could never afterwards remember. A faint recollection he had of muttering something about "Séverac Bablon——!"
"Ssh!" Mr. Belford had replied. "There is no such person!"