breathlessly. "It just occurred to me as I was coming over
Westminster Bridge. I was on top of a bus - "

"Wake up!" said T. X. "You're amongst friends and cut all that
'bus' stuff out. Of course we searched Vassalaro's lodgings!"

"No, we didn't, sir," said the other triumphantly. "He lived in
Great James Street."

"He lived in the Adelphi," corrected T. X.

"There were two places where he lived," said Mansus.

"When did you learn this?" asked his Chief, dropping his
flippancy.

"This morning. I was on a bus coming across Westminster Bridge,
and there were two men in front of me, and I heard the word
'Vassalaro' and naturally I pricked up my ears."

"It was very unnatural, but proceed," said T. X.

"One of the men - a very respectable person - said, 'That chap
Vassalaro used to lodge in my place, and I've still got a lot of
his things. What do you think I ought to do?'"

"And you said," suggested the other.

"I nearly frightened his life out of him," said Mansus. "I said,
'I am a police officer and I want you to come along with me.'"