It seemed to him as though he had scarcely laid his head upon the pillow when he was abruptly aroused by a touch on the shoulder. He sat up with a start, and, rubbing his eyes, perceived a burly and familiar figure standing beside him in the gloom.
"Hullo, Inspector!" he exclaimed. "What's the matter? Anything wrong?"
"Only the time," returned his visitor. "It's just gone eight, and as we're expecting Mr. Medwin at nine I thought I'd better give you a knock-up."
With rather a rueful laugh Colin threw back the clothes.
"How about breakfast?" he inquired. "Have you made any arrangements?"
"The cook's on the job," was the encouraging answer. "I was careful to keep on the right side of her last night, and she's promised us a dish of eggs and bacon at a quarter past."
"I'll be there," said Colin, thrusting a leg over the side. "How did you and the sergeant get on after I'd gone to bed?"
"Well, we haven't altogether wasted our time," said Marsden, turning toward the door. "I won't hang about in your way now, however. You shall have the news—such as it is—while we're waiting for the solicitor."
He disappeared with a friendly nod, and, after indulging in a cold tub and a somewhat hasty toilet, Colin followed him downstairs to the dining room.
His arrival synchronized almost exactly with that of Mrs. Ramsay, who appeared from the kitchen carrying a well-laden tray. She arranged the contents on the breakfast table, which was already set out, at the same time expressing an apologetic hope that if there were any shortcomings they might be attributed to the natural agitation of herself and the cook. She then retired, and with an air of businesslike alacrity the two detectives drew up their chairs.