As he laid them aside to dry, Lamont said, "Are you the star turn at Scotland Yard?"
"Not yet," said grant. "You flatter yourself."
"Oh, I only thought — seeing your photograph in the paper."
"That was why you ran last Saturday night in the Strand."
"Was it only last Saturday? I wish the traffic had done for me then!"
"Well, it very nearly did for me."
"Yes; I got an awful jolt when I saw you behind me so soon."
"If it's any comfort to you, I got a much worse one when I saw you arriving back in the Strand. What did you do then?"
"Took a taxi. There was one passing."
"Tell me," the inspector said, his curiosity getting the better of him, "were you planning the boat escape all the time at the manse tea?"