The detective did not seem particularly glad to see him.
“Good-morning, Inspector,” said Robin affably, “you’re early to work, I see. Having a little experiment, eh?”
Manderton nodded without replying. Then the stentorian tones of Sergeant Harris proclaiming the views of “The Thunderer” on the Silesian situation rolled down the corridor and struck distinctly on the ears of the listeners in the hall.
Presently Manderton closed the corridor door, shutting off the sound abruptly.
“I think you said you could not hear the sergeant with the library door shut?” queried Robin suavely.
“With the door shut—no,” answered the detective shortly. “But with the door open ...”
He broke off significantly and dropped his eyes to his boots.
“Would it be troubling you,” Robin struck in, “if we pushed your experiment one step farther?”
Manderton lifted his eyes and looked at the young man, Robin met his gaze unflinchingly.
“Well?”