Page:The Viaduct Murder (1926).pdf/154

the police, d'you see? And then the police can act accordingly."

"Well, I'm very sorry if we've interfered with your plans at all," said Gordon, seeing that the Olympian rage was taking its normal course, and simmering down into a flood of explanatory platitude. "We were meaning to take a little something after all that hunting about in the wainscoting; it's dusty work. I suppose it's no good asking you to join us, Inspector?"

"Sergeant, sir, is what I am. Of course, it's against the regulations, strictly speaking, when on duty; but if you was to offer me something just to show there's no offence taken, why then I won't say No to a glass." And, as the pledge of amity began to flow, Jove ratified his compact by the infallible formula, "Here's to your very good health, gentlemen."

Reeves felt that the moment had arrived for cooperating with Scotland Yard. The fact that Scotland Yard, with no golf balls and no photographs to guide it, no Carmichael and no chewing-gum to aid it, had after all got on the track of the right criminal, began to impress him.

"Well, Sergeant," he said, "there's not much sense in either of us playing a lone hand, is there? What I'm asking myself is, why shouldn't you and we hunt in couples?"

"Very sorry, sir; of course, any information you may see fit to give the police will be acted on ac-