“I sent for you in default of your brother, Okewood!” he said. “You once refused an offer of mine to take you into my service, but this time I had to have you, so I got the War Office to wire...”
“Then my appointment for ten o’clock to-day was with you?” Desmond exclaimed in astonishment.
The Chief nodded.
“It was,” he said curtly.
“But,” protested Desmond feebly, “did you know about this murder beforehand!”
The Chief threw back his head and laughed.
“My dear fellow,” he said; “I’m not quite so deep as all that. I haven’t second sight, you know!”
“You’ve got something devilish like it, sir!” said Desmond. “How on earth did you know that I was at the Palaceum last night?”
The Chief smiled grimly.
“Oh, that’s very simple,” he said. “Shall I tell you some more about yourself? You sat...” he glanced down at the desk in front of him,”... in Stall E 52 and, after Nur-el-Din’s turn, Strangwise took you round and introduced you to the lady. In her dressing-room you met Mr. Mackwayte and his daughter. After that...”