and contempt, amusement at the notion that any amateur should harbor
the belief that the two best men in the "Yard" could be egregiously
hoodwinked, and contempt of one who so far forgot himself as even to
dare attempt such a thing in relation to a police inquiry into a
murder.

"I don't know, and care less, who Mr. Furneaux of Scotland Yard may
be," went on Forbes hotly. "I resent his intrusion, and wish to be
relieved of his presence."

"Why?" said Furneaux.

"I have given my reasons to the Home Secretary. That mere statement
must suffice for you."

"Really, I must ask you to be more explicit."

"I visited the Home Office this morning, and placed such evidence in
the hands of the Home Secretary that Scotland Yard will be requested
to suspend all further investigation into the death of Mrs. Lester."

"Do you mean that the Home Secretary has sanctioned the breaking off
of this inquiry."

"In the conditions--"

"Because, if that is what your words imply, Mr. Forbes, I may tell you
at once that I don't believe you. It is more than any Home Secretary
dare do, and if you harbor any lingering doubts on the point, go to
Mr. Theydon's telephone, ring up the Home Office, and tell the