"You are through to Dr. Stuart," said the Assistant Commissioner.

"Hullo" cried Dunbar, taking up the receiver--"is that Dr. Stuart?
Dunbar speaking."

He stood silent for a while, listening to the voice over the wires.
Then: "You want me to come around now, doctor? Very well. I'll be
with you in less than half an hour."

He put down the instrument.

"Something extraordinary seems to have taken place at Dr. Stuart's
house a few minutes after I left, sir," he said. "I'm going back
there, now, for particulars. It sounds as though the 'phone message
might have been intended to get me away." He stared down at the
pencilled slip which the Assistant Commissioner had handed him, but
stared vacantly, and: "Do you mind if I call someone up, sir?" he
asked. "It should be done at once."

"Call by all means, Inspector."

Dunbar again took up the telephone.

"Battersea 0996," he said, and stood waiting. Then:

"Is that Battersea 0996?" he asked. "Is Dr. Stuart there? He is
speaking? Oh, this is Inspector Dunbar. You called me up here at the
Yard a few moments ago, did you not? Correct, doctor; that's all I
wanted to know. I am coming now."