Thank you, sir; thank you, sir--very much obliged to you, sir. [_To himself._] That's like a liberal gentleman.
[_LUGG goes out as MR. WORMINGTON enters through the curtains with the charge sheet in his hand. MR. WORMINGTON, on seeing MR. POSKET, uneasily tucks his pocket-handkerchief in his collar so as to hide his necktie._
[_MR. WORMINGTON puts on his spectacles; MR. POSKET also attempts to put on his spectacles, but hurts the bridge of his nose, winces, and desists._
[_To himself._] My nose is extremely painful. [_To MR. WORMINGTON._] You have a bad cold I am afraid, Wormington--bronchial?
Ahem! Well--ah--the fact is--you may have noticed how very chilly the nights are.
The only way to maintain the circulation is to run as fast as one can.
To run--as fast as one can--yes--quite so.
[_To himself, looking at MR. POSKET'S shirt front._] How very extraordinary--he is wearing no cravat whatever!
[_Buttoning up his coat to avoid MR. WORMINGTON'S gaze._] Anything important this morning?
Nothing particular after the first charge, a serious business arising out of the raid on the "Hotel des Princes."
Inspector Messiter found six persons supping there at one o'clock this morning. Two contrived to escape.
Dear me--I am surprised--I mean, did they?
But they left their overcoats behind them, and it is believed they will be traced.
Oh, do you--do you think it is worth while? The police have a great deal to occupy them just now.
But surely if the police see their way to capture anybody we had better raise no obstacle.
[_Referring to charge sheet._] The remaining four it was found necessary to take into custody.
Good gracious! What a good job the other two didn't wait. I beg your pardon--I mean--you say we have four?
Yes, on the charge of obstructing the police. The first assault occurred in the supper-room--the second in the four-wheeled cab on the way to the station. There were five persons in the cab at the time--the two women, the two men, and the Inspector.
Dear me, it must have been a very complicated assault. Who are the unfortunate people?
The men are of some position. [_Reading._] "Alexander Lukyn, Colonel"----
Lukyn! I--I--know Colonel Lukyn; we are old schoolfellows.
Very sad! [_Reading._] The other is "Horace, &c. &c. Vale--Captain--Shropshire Fusiliers."