第19章

ButheronlyrealconcernwasStevie’swelfare。Heappearedtoherthoughtinthatconnectionassufficientlypeculiar’nottobetakenrashlyabroad。

Andthatwasall。Buttalkingroundthatvitalpoint，sheapproachedabsolutevehemenceinherdelivery。Meanwhile，withbrusquemovements，shearrayedherselfinanapronforthewashingupofcups。Andasifexcitedbythesoundofheruncontradictedvoice，shewentsofarastosayinatonealmosttart:

`Ifyougoabroadyou’llhavetogowithoutme。’

`YouknowIwouldn’t，’saidMrVerloc，huskily，andtheunresonantvoiceofhisprivatelifetrembledwithanenigmaticalemotion。

AlreadyMrsVerlocwasregrettingherwords。Theyhadsoundedmoreunkindthanshemeantthemtobe。Theyhadalsotheunwisdomofunnecessarythings。

Infact，shehadnotmeantthematall。Itwasasortofphrasethatissuggestedbythedemonofperverseinspiration。Butsheknewawaytomakeitasifithadnotbeen。

Sheturnedherheadoverhershoulderandgavethatmanplantedheavilyinfrontofthefireplaceaglance，halfarch，halfcruel，outofherlargeeyes—aglanceofwhichtheWinnieoftheBelgravianmansiondayswouldhavebeenincapable，becauseofherrespectabilityandherignorance。Butthemanwasherhusbandnow，andshewasnolongerignorant。Shekeptitonhimforawholesecond，withhergravefacemotionlesslikeamask，whileshesaidplayfully:

`Youcouldn’t。Youwouldmissmetoomuch。’MrVerlocstartedforward。

`Exactly，’hesaidinaloudertone，throwinghi’sarmsoutandmakingasteptowardsher。Somethingwildanddoubtfulinhisexpressionmadeitappearuncertainwhetherhemeanttostrangleortoembracehiswife。

ButMrsVerloc’sattentionwascalledawayfromthatmanifestationbytheclatteroftheshop—bell。

`Shop，Adolf。Yougo。’

Hestopped，hisarmscamedownslowly。

`Yougo，’repeatedMrsVerloc。`I’vegotmyapronon。’

MrVerlocobeyedwoodenly，stony—eyed，andlikeanautomatonwhosefacehadbeenpaintedred。Andthisresemblancetoamechanicalfigurewentsofarthathehadanautomaton’sabsurdairofbeingawareofthemachineryinsideofhim。

Heclosedtheparlourdoor，andMrsVerloc，movingbriskly，carriedthetrayintothekitchen。Shewashedthecupsandsomeotherthingsbeforeshestoppedinherworktolisten。Nosoundreachedher。Thecustomerwasalongtimeintheshop。Itwasacustomer，becauseifhehadnotbeenMrVerlocwouldhavetakenhiminside。Undoingthestringsofherapronwithajerk，shethrewitonachair，andwalkedbacktotheparlourslowly。

AtthatprecisemomentMrVerlocenteredfromtheshop。

Hehadgoneinred。Hecameoutastrangepaperywhite。Hisface，losingitsdrugged，feverishstupor，hadinthatshorttimeacquiredabewilderedandharassedexpression。Hewalkedstraighttothesofa，andstoodlookingdownathisovercoatlyingthere，asthoughhewereafraidtotouchit。

`What’sthematter？’askedMrsVerlocinasubduedvoice。Throughthedoorleftajarshecouldseethatthecustomerwasnotgoneyet。

`IfindI’llhavetogooutthisevening，’saidMrVerloc。Hedidnotattempttopickuphisoutergarment。

WithoutawordWinniemadefortheshop，andshuttingthedoorafterher，walkedinbehindthecounter。Shedidnotlookovertlyatthecustomertillshehadestablishedherselfcomfortablyonthechair。Butbythattimeshehadnotedthathewastallandthin，andworehismoustachestwistedup。Infact，hegavethesharppointsatwistjustthen。Hislong，bonyfaceroseoutofaturned—upcollar。Hewasalittlesplashed，alittlewet。Adarkman，withtheridgeofthecheekbonewelldefinedundertheslightlyhollowtemple。Acompletestranger。Notacustomer，either。

MrsVerloclookedathimplacidly。

`YoucameoverfromtheContinent？’shesaidafteratime。

Thelong，thinstranger，withoutexactlylookingatMrsVerloc，answeredonlybyafaintandpeculiarsmile。

MrsVerloc’ssteady，incuriousgazerestedonhim。

`YouunderstandEnglish，don’tyou？’

`Ohyes。IunderstandEnglish。’

Therewasnothingforeigninhisaccent，exceptthatheseemedinhisslowenunciationtobetakingpainswithit。AndMrsVerloc，inhervariedexperience，hadcometotheconclusionthatsomeforeignerscouldspeakbetterEnglishthanthenatives。Shesaid，lookingatthedooroftheparlourfixedly:

`Youdon’tthinkperhapsofstayinginEnglandforgood？’

Thestrangergaveheragainasilentsmile。Hehadakindlymouthandprobingeyes。Andheshookhisheadalittlesadly，itseemed。

`Myhusbandwiltseeyouthroughallright。Meantime，forafewdaysyoucouldn’tdobetterthantakinglodgingswithMrGuigliani。ContinentalHotelit’scalled。Private。It’squiet。Myhusbandwilltakeyouthere。’

`Agoodidea，’saidthethin，darkman，whoseglancehadhardenedsuddenly。

`YouknewMrVerlocbefore—didn’tyou？PerhapsinFrance？’

`Ihaveheardofhim，’admittedthevisitorinhisslow，painstakingtone，whichyethadacertaincurtnessofintention。

Therewasapause。Thenhespokeagain，inafarlesselaboratemanner。

`Yourhusbandhasnotgoneouttowaitformeinthestreetbychance？’

`Inthestreet！’repeatedMrsVerloc，surprised。`Hecouldn’t。There’snootherdoortothehouse。’

Foramomentshesatimpassive，thenleftherseattogoandpeepthroughtheglazeddoor。Suddenlysheopenedit，anddisappearedintotheparlour。

MrVerlochaddonenomorethanputonhisovercoat。Butwhyheshouldremainafterwardsleaningoverthetableproppeduponhistwoarmsasthoughhewerefeelinggiddyorsick，shecouldnotunderstand。`Adolf，’

shecalledouthalfaloud;andwhenhehadraisedhimself:

`Doyouknowthatman？’sheasked，rapidly。

`I’veheardofhim，’whispereduneasilyMrVerloc，dartingawildglanceatthedoor。

MrsVerloc’sfine，incuriouseyeslightedupwithaflashofabhorrence。

`OneofKarlYundt’sfriends—beastlyoldman。’

`No！No！’protestedMrVerloc，busyfishingforhishat。Butwhenhegotitfromunderthesofahehelditasifhedidnotknowtheuseofahat。

`Well—he’swaitingforyou，’saidMrsVerlocatlast。`Isay，Adolf，heain’toneofthemEmbassypeopleyouhavebeenbotheredwithoflate？’

`BotheredwithEmbassypeople，’repeatedMrVerloc，withaheavystartofsurpriseandfear。`Who’sbeentalkingtoyouoftheEmbassypeople？’

`Yourself。’

`I！I！TalkedoftheEmbassytoyou！’

MrVerlocseemedscaredandbewilderedbeyondmeasure。Hiswifeexplained:

`You’vebeentalkingalittleinyoursleepoflate，Adolf。’

`What—whatdidIsay？Whatdoyouknow？’

`Nothingmuch。Itseemedmostlynonsense。Enoughtoletmeguessthatsomethingworriedyou。’

MrVerlocrammedhishatonhishead。Acrimsonfloodofangerranoverhisface。

`Nonsense—eh？TheEmbassypeople！Iwouldcuttheirheartsoutoneafteranother。Butletthemlookout。I’vegotatongueinmyhead。’

Hefumed，pacingupanddownbetweenthetableandthesofa，hisopenovercoatcatchingagainsttheangles。Theredfloodofangerebbedout，andlefthisfaceallwhite，withquiveringnostrils。MrsVerloc，forthepurposesofpracticalexistence，putdowntheseappearancestothecold。

`Well，’shesaid，`getridofthemanwhoeverheis，assoonasyoucan，andcomebackhometome。Youwantlookingafterforadayortwo。’

MrVerloccalmeddown，and，withresolutionimprintedonhispaleface，hadalreadyopenedthedoor，whenhiswifecalledhimbackinawhisper:

`Adolf！Adolf！’Hecameback，startled。`Whataboutthatmoneyyoudrewout？’sheasked。`You’vegotitinyourpocket？Hadn’tyoubetter——’

MrVerlocgazedstupidlyintothepalmofhiswife’sextendedhandforsometimebeforeheslappedhisbrow。

`Money！Yes！Yes！Ididn’tknowwhatyoumeant。’

Hedrewoutofhisbreast—pocketanewpigskinpocket—book。MrsVerlocreceiveditwithoutanotherword，andstoodstilltillthebell，clatteringafterMrVerlocandMrVerloc’svisitor，hadquieteneddown。Onlythenshepeepedinattheamount，drawingthenotesoutforthepurpose。Afterthisinspectionshelookedroundthoughtfully，withanairofmistrustinthesilenceandsolitudeofthehouse。Thisabodeofhermarriedlifeappearedtoheraslonelyandunsafeasthoughithadbeensituatedinthemidstofaforest。Noreceptacleshecouldthinkofamongstthesolid，heavyfurnitureseemedotherbutflimsyandparticularlytemptingtoherconceptionofahousebreaker。Itwasanidealconception，endowedwithsublimefacultiesandamiraculousinsight。Thetillwasnottobethoughtof。Itwasthefirstspotathiefwouldmakefor。MrsVerloc，unfasteninghastilyacoupleofhooks，slippedthepocket—bookunderthebodiceofherdress。Havingthusdisposedofherhusband’scapital，shewasrathergladtoheartheclatterofthedoor—bell，announcinganarrival。Assumingthefixed，unabashedstareandthestonyexpressionreservedforthecasualcustomer，shewalkedinbehindthecounter。

Amanstandinginthemiddleoftheshopwasinspectingitwithaswift，cool，all—roundglance。Hiseyesranoverthewalls，tookintheceiling，notedthefloor—allinamoment。Thepointsofalongfairmoustachefellbelowthelineofthejaw。Hesmiledthesmileofanoldifdistantacquaintance，andMrsVerlocrememberedhavingseenhimbefore。Notacustomer。

Shesoftenedher`customerstaretomereindifference，andfacedhimacrossthecounter。

Heapproached，onhisside，confidentially，butnottoomarkedlyso。

`Husbandathome，MrsVerloc？’heaskedinaneasy，fulltone。

`No。He’sgoneout。’

`Iamsorryforthat。I’vecalledtogetfromhimalittleprivateinformation。’

Thiswastheexacttruth。ChiefInspectorHeathadbeenallthewayhomeandhadevengonesofarastothinkofgettingintohisslippers，sincepracticallyhewas，hetoldhimself，chuckedoutofthatcase。Heindulgedinsomescornfulandinafewangrythoughts，andfoundtheoccupationsounsatisfactorythatheresolvedtoseekreliefoutofdoors。NothingpreventedhimpayingafriendlycallonMrVerloc，casuallyasitwere。

Itwasinthecharacterofaprivatecitizenthatwalkingoutprivatelyhemadeuseofhiscustomaryconveyances。TheirgeneraldirectionwastowardsMrVerloc’shome。ChiefInspectorHeatrespectedhisownprivatecharactersoconsistentlythathetookespecialpainstoavoidallthepoliceconstablesonpointandpatroldutyinthevicinityofBrettStreet。ThisprecautionwasmuchmorenecessaryforamanofhisstandingthanforanobscureAssistantCommissioner。PrivateCitizenHeatenteredthestreet，manoeuvringinawaywhichinamemberofthecriminalclasseswouldhavebeenstigmatizedasslinking。ThepieceofclothpickedupinGreenwichwasinhispocket。

Notthathehadtheslightestintentionofproducingitinhisprivatecapacity。Onthecontrary，hewantedtoknowjustwhatMrVerlocwouldbedisposedtosayvoluntarily。HehopedMrVerloc’stalkwouldbeofanaturetoincriminateMichaelis。Itwasaconscientiouslyprofessionalhopeinthemain，butnotwithoutitsmoralvalue。ForChiefInspectorHeatwasaservantofjustice。FindingMrVerlocfromhome，hefeltdisappointed。

`IwouldwaitforhimalittleifIweresurehewouldn’tbelong，hesaid。’

MrsVerlocvolunteerednoassuranceofanykind。

`TheinformationIneedisquiteprivate，’herepeated。`YouunderstandwhatImean？Iwonderifyoucouldgivemeanotionwherehe’sgoneto？’

MrsVerlocshookherhead。

`Can’tsay。’

Sheturnedawaytorangesomeboxesontheshelvesbehindthecounter。

ChiefInspectorHeatlookedatherthoughtfullyforatime。

`IsupposeyouknowwhoIam？’hesaid。

MrsVerlocglancedoverhershoulder。ChiefInspectorHeatwasamazedathercoolness。

`Come！YouknowIaminthepolice，’hesaid，sharply。

`Idon’ttroublemyheadmuchaboutit，’MrsVerlocremarked，returningtotherangingofherboxes。

`MynameisHeat。ChiefInspectorHeatoftheSpecialCrimessection。’

MrsVerlocadjustednicelyinitsplaceasmallcardboardbox，andturninground，facedhimagain，heavy—eyed，withidlehandshangingdown。Asilencereignedforatime。

`Soyourhusbandwentoutaquarterofanhourago！Andhedidn’tsaywhenhewouldbeback？’

`Hedidn’tgooutalone，’MrsVerlocletfallnegligently。

`Afriend？’MrsVerloctouchedthebackofherhair。Itwasinperfectorder。

`Astrangerwhocalled。’

`Isee。Whatsortofmanwasthatstranger？Wouldyoumindtellingme？’

MrsVerlocdidnotmind。AndwhenChiefInspectorHeatheardofamandark，thin，withalongfaceandturned—upmoustaches，hegavesignsofperturbation，andexclaimed:

`DashmeifIdidn’tthinkso！Hehasn’tlostanytime。’

Hewasintenselydisgustedinthesecrecyofhisheartattheunofficialconductofhisimmediatechief。Buthewasnotquixotic。HelostalldesiretoawaitMrVerloc’sreturn。Whattheyhadgoneoutforhedidnotknow，butheimagineditpossiblethattheywouldreturntogether。Thecaseisnotfollowedproperly，it’sbeingtamperedwith，hethought，bitterly。

`IamafraidIhaven’ttimetowaitforyourhusband，’hesaid。

MrsVerlocreceivedthisdeclarationlistlessly。HerdetachmenthadimpressedChiefInspectorHeatallalong。Atthisprecisemomentitwhettedhiscuriosity。ChiefInspectorHeathunginthewind，swayedbyhispassionslikethemostprivateofcitizens。

`Ithink，’hesaid，lookingathersteadily，`thatyoucouldgivemeaprettygoodnotionofwhat’sgoingonifyouliked。’

Forcingherfine，inerteyestoreturnhisgaze，MrsVerlocmurmured:

`Goingon！Whatisgoingon？’

`Why，theaffairIcametotalkaboutalittlewithyourhusband。’

ThatdayMrsVerlochadglancedatamorningpaperasusual。Butshehadnotstirredoutofdoors。ThenewsboysneverinvadedBrettStreet。

Itwasnotastreetfortheirbusiness。Andtheechooftheircries，driftingalongthepopulousthoroughfares，expiredbetweenthedirtybrickwallswithoutreachingthethresholdoftheshop。Herhusbandhadnotbroughtaneveningpaperhome。Atanyrateshehadnotseenit。MrsVerlocknewnothingwhateverofanyaffair。Andshesaidso，withagenuinenoteofwonderinherquietvoice。

ChiefInspectorHeatdidnotbelieveforamomentinsomuchignorance。

Curtly，withoutamiability，hestatedthebarefact。

MrsVerlocturnedawayhereyes。

`Icallitsilly，’shepronounced，slowly。Shepaused。`Weain’tdowntroddenslaveshere。’

TheChiefInspectorwaitedwatchfully。Nothingmorecame。

`Andyourhusbanddidn’tmentionanythingtoyouwhenhecamehome？’

MrsVerlocsimplyturnedherfacefromrighttoleftinsignofnegation。

Alanguid，bafflingsilencereignedintheshop。ChiefInspectorHeatfeltprovokedbeyondendurance。

`Therewasanothersmallmatter，’hebeganinadetachedtone，whichIwantedtospeaktoyourhusbandabout。Therecameintoourhandsa—

a—whatwebelieveis—astolenovercoat。

MrsVerloc，withhermindspeciallyawareofthievesthatevening，touchedlightlythebosomofherdress。

`Wehavelostnoovercoat，’shesaid，calmly。

`That’sfunny，’continuedPrivateCitizenHeat。`Iseeyoukeepalotofmarkinginkhere——’

Hetookupasmallbottle，andlookedatitagainstthegas—jetinthemiddleoftheshop。

`Purple—isn’tit？heremarked，settingitdownagain。`AsIsaid，it’sstrange。Becausetheovercoathasgotalabelsewnontheinsidewithyouraddresswritteninmarkingink。’

MrsVerlocleanedoverthecounterwithalowexclamation。

`That’smybrother’s，then。’

`Where’syourbrother？CanIseehim？’askedtheChiefInspector，briskly。

MrsVerlocleanedalittlemoreoverthecounter。

`No。Heisn’there。Iwrotethatlabelmyself。’

`Where’syourbrothernow？’

`He’sbeenawaylivingwith—afriend—inthecountry。’

`Theovercoatcomesfromthecountry。Andwhat’sthenameofthefriend？’

`Michaelis，’confessedMrsVerlocinanawedwhisper。

TheChiefInspectorletoutawhistle。Hiseyessnapped。

`Justso。Capital。Andyourbrothernow，what’shelike—asturdy，darkishchap—eh？’

`Oh，no，’exclaimedMrsVerloc，fervently。`Thatmustbethethief。

Stevie’sslightandfair。’

`Good，’saidtheChiefInspectorinanapprovingtone。AndwhileMrsVerloc，waveringbetweenalarmandwonder，staredathim，hesoughtforinformation。Whyhavetheaddresssewnlikethisinsidethecoat？Andheheardthatthemangledremainshehadinspectedthatmorningwithextremerepugnancewerethoseofayouth，nervous，absent—minded，peculiar，andalsothatthewomanwhowasspeakingtohimhadhadthechargeofthatboysincehewasababy。

`Easilyexcitable？’hesuggested。

`Oh，yes。Heis。Buthowdidhecometolosehiscoat——’

ChiefInspectorHeatsuddenlypulledoutapinknewspaperhehadboughtlessthanhalfanhourago。Hewasinterestedinhorses。Forcedbyhiscallingintoanattitudeofdoubtandsuspiciontowardshisfellowcitizens，ChiefInspectorHeatrelievedtheinstinctofcredulityimplantedinthehumanbreastbyputtingunboundedfaithinthesportingprophetsofthatparticulareveningpublication。Droppingtheextraspecialontothecounter，heplungedhishandagainintohispocket，andpullingoutthepieceofclothfatehadpresentedhimwithoutofaheapofthingsthatseemedtohavebeencollectedinshamblesandragshops，heofferedittoMrsVerlocforinspection。

`Isupposeyourecognizethis？’

Shetookitmechanicallyinbothherhands。Hereyesseemedtogrowbiggerasshelooked。

`Yes，’shewhispered，thenraisedherhead，andstaggeredbackwardalittle。

`Whateverforisittornoutlikethis？’

TheChiefInspectorsnatchedacrossthecountertheclothoutofherhands，andshesatheavilyonthechair。Hethought:identification’sperfect。

Andinthatmomenthehadaglimpseintothewholeamazingtruth。Verlocwasthe`otherman’。

`MrsVerloc，’hesaid，`itstrikesmethatyouknowmoreofthisbombaffairthanevenyouyourselfareawareof。’

MrsVerlocsatstill，amazed，lostinboundlessastonishment。Whatwastheconnection？Andshebecamesorigidalloverthatshewasnotabletoturnherheadattheclatterofthebell，whichcausedtheprivateinvestigatorHeattospinroundonhisheel。MrVerlochadshutthedoor，andforamomentthetwomenlookedateachother。

MrVerloc，withoutlookingathiswife，walkeduptotheChiefInspector，whowasrelievedtoseehimreturnalone。

`Youhere！’mutteredMrVerloc，heavily。`Whoareyouafter？’

`Noone，’saidChiefInspectorHeatinalowtone。`Lookhere，Iwouldlikeawordortwowithyou。’

MrVerloc，stillpale，hadbroughtanairofresolutionwithhim。Stillhedidn’tlookathiswife。Hesaid:

`Comeinhere，then。’Andheledthewayintotheparlour。

ThedoorwashardlyshutwhenMrsVerloc，jumpingupfromthechair，rantoitasiftoflingitopen，butinsteadofdoingsofellonherknees，withhereartothekeyhole。Thetwomenmusthavestoppeddirectlytheywerethrough，becausesheheardplainlytheChiefInspector’svoice，thoughshecouldnotseehisfingerpressedagainstherhusband’sbreastemphatically。

`Youaretheotherman，Verloc。Twomenwereseenenteringthepark。’

AndthevoiceofMrVerlocsaid:

`Well，takemenow。What’stopreventyou？Youhavetheright。’

`Oh，no！Iknowtoowellwhoyouhavebeengivingyourselfawayto。

He’llhavetomanagethislittleaffairallbyhimself。Butdon’tyoumakeamistake，it’sIwhofoundyouout。’

Thensheheardonlymuttering。InspectorHeatmusthavebeenshowingtoMrVerlocthepieceofStevie’sovercoat，becauseStevie’ssister，guardian，andprotectorheardherhusbandalittlelouder。

`Inevernoticedthatshehadhituponthatdodge。’

AgainforatimeMrsVerlocheardnothingbutmurmurs，whosemysteriousnesswaslessnightmarishtoherbrainthanthehorriblesuggestionsofshapedwords。ThenChiefInspectorHeat，ontheothersideofthedoor，raisedhisvoice:

`Youmusthavebeenmad。’

AndMrVerloc’svoiceanswered，withasortofgloomyfury:

`Ihavebeenmadforamonthormore，butIamnotmadnow。It’sallover。Itshallallcomeoutofmyhead，andhangtheconsequences。’

Therewasasilence，andthenPrivateCitizenHeatmurmured:

`What’scomingout？’

`Everything，’exclaimedthevoiceofMrVerloc，andthensankverylow。

Afterawhileitroseagain。

`Youhaveknownmeforseveralyearsnow，andyou’vefoundmeuseful，too。YouknowIwasastraightman。Yes，straight。’

ThisappealtooldacquaintancemusthavebeenextremelydistastefultotheChiefInspector。

Hisvoicetookonawarningnote。

`Don’tyoutrustsomuchtowhatyouhavebeenpromised。IfIwereyouIwouldclearout。Idon’tthinkwewillrunafteryou。’

MrVerlocwasheardtolaughalittle。

`Oh，yes;youhopetheotherswillgetridofmeforyou—don’tyou？

No，no;youdon’tshakemeoffnow。Ihavebeenastraightmantothosepeopletoolong，andnoweverythingmustcomeout。’

`Letitcomeout，then，’theindifferentvoiceofChiefInspectorHeatassented。`Buttellmenowhowdidyougetaway？’

`IwasmakingforChesterfieldWalk，’MrsVerlocheardherhusband’svoice，`whenIheardthebang。Istartedrunningthen。Fog。IsawnoonetillIwaspasttheendofGeorgeStreet。Don’tthinkImetanyonetillthen。’

`Soeasyasthat！’marvelledthevoiceofChiefInspectorHeat。`Thebangstartledyou，eh？’

`Yes;itcametoosoon，’confessedthegloomy，huskyvoiceofMrVerloc。

MrVerlocpressedhereartothekeyhole;herlipswereblue，herhandscoldasice，andherpaleface，inwhichthetwoeyesseemedliketwoblackholes，felttoherasifitwereenvelopedinflames。

Ontheothersideofthedoorthevoicessankverylow。Shecaughtwordsnowandthensometimesinherhusband’svoice，sometimesinthesmoothtonesoftheChiefInspector。Sheheardthislastsay:

`Webelievehestumbledagainsttherootofatree？’

Therewasahusky，volublemurmur，whichlastedforsometime，andthentheChiefInspector，asifansweringsomeinquiry，spokeemphatically:

`Ofcourse。Blowntosmallbits:limbs，gravel，clothing，bones，splinters—allmixeduptogether。Itellyoutheyhadtofetchashoveltogatherhimupwith。’

MrsVerlocsprangsuddenlyfromhercrouchingposition，andstoppingherears，reeledtoandfrobetweenthecounterandtheshelvesonthewalltowardsthechair。HercrazedeyesnotedthesportingsheetleftbytheChiefInspector，andassheknockedherselfagainstthecountershesnatcheditup，fellintothechair，toretheoptimistic，rosysheetrightacrossintryingtoopenit，thenflungitonthefloor。Ontheothersideofthedoor，ChiefInspectorHeatwassayingtoMrVerloc，thesecretagent:

`Soyourdefencewillbepracticallyafullconfession？’

`Itwill。Iamgoingtotellthewholestory。’

`Youwon’tbebelievedasmuchasyoufancyyouwill。’

AndtheChiefInspectorremainedthoughtful。Theturnthisaffairwastakingmeantthedisclosureofmanythings—thelayingwasteoffieldsofknowledge，which，cultivatedbyacapableman，hadadistinctvaluefortheindividualandforthesociety。Itwassorry，sorrymeddling。ItwouldleaveMichaelisunscathed;itwoulddragtolighttheProfessor’shomeindustry;disorganizethewholesystemofsupervision;makenoendofarowinthepapers，which，fromthatpointofview，appearedtohimbyasuddenilluminationasinvariablywrittenbyfoolsforthereadingofimbeciles。MentallyheagreedwiththewordsMrVerlocletfallatlastinanswertohislastremark。

`Perhapsnot。Butitwillupsetmanythings。Ihavebeenastraightman，andIshallkeepstraightinthis——’

`Iftheyletyou，’saidtheChiefInspector，cynically。`Youwillbepreachedto，nodoubt，beforetheyputyouintothedock。Andintheendyoumayyetgetletinforasentencethatwillsurpriseyou。Iwouldn’ttrusttoomuchthegentlemanwho’sbeentalkingtoyou。’

MrVerloclistened，frowning。

`Myadvicetoyouistoclearoutwhileyoumay。Ihavenoinstructions。

Therearesomeofthem，’continuedChiefInspectorHeat，layingapeculiarstressontheword`them’，`whothinkyouarealreadyoutoftheworld。’

`Indeed！’MrVerlocwasmovedtosay。ThoughsincehisreturnfromGreenwichhehadspentmostofhistimesittinginthetap—roomofanobscurelittlepublic—house，hecouldhardlyhavehopedforsuchfavourablenews。

`That’stheimpressionaboutyou。’TheChiefInspectornoddedathim。

`Vanish。Clearout。’

`Whereto？’snarledMrVerloc。Heraisedhishead，andgazingatthecloseddooroftheparlour，mutteredfeelingly:`Ionlywishyouwouldtakemeawaytonight。Iwouldgoquietly。’

`Idaresay，’assentedsardonicallytheChiefInspector，followingthedirectionofhisglance。

ThebrowofMrVerlocbrokeintoslightmoisture。HeloweredhishuskyvoiceconfidentiallybeforetheunmovedChiefInspector。

`Theladwashalf—witted，irresponsible。Anycourtwouldhaveseenthatatonce。Onlyfitfortheasylum。Andthatwastheworstthatwould’vehappenedtohimif——’

TheChiefInspector，hishandonthedoorhandle，whisperedintoMrVerloc’sface:

`Hemay’vebeenhalf—witted，butyoumusthavebeencrazy。Whatdroveyouoffyourheadlikethis？’

MrVerloc，thinkingofMrVladimir，didnothesitateinthechoiceofwords。

`AHyperboreanswine，’hehissed，forcibly。`Awhatyoumightcalla—gentleman。’

TheChiefInspector，steady—eyed，noddedbrieflyhiscomprehension，andopenedthedoor。MrsVerloc，behindthecounter，mighthaveheardbutdidnotseehisdeparture，pursuedbytheaggressiveclatterofthebell。

Shesatatherpostofdutybehindthecounter。Shesatrigidlyerectinthechairwithtwodirtypinkpiecesofpaperlyingspreadoutatherfeet。

Thepalmsofherhandswerepressedconvulsivelytoherface，withthetipsofthefingerscontractedagainsttheforehead，asthoughtheskinhadbeenamaskwhichshewasreadytotearoffviolently。Theperfectimmobilityofherposeexpressedtheagitationofrageanddespair，allthepotentialviolenceoftragicpassions，betterthananyshallowdisplayofshrieks，withthebeatingofadistractedheadagainstthewalls，couldhavedone。ChiefInspectorHeat，crossingtheshopathisbusy，swingingpace，gaveheronlyacursoryglance。AndwhenthecrackedbellceasedtotrembleonitscurvedribbonofsteelnothingstirrednearMrsVerloc，asifherattitudehadthelockingpowerofaspell。Eventhebutterfly—shapedgasflamesposedontheendsofthesuspendedT—bracketburnedwithoutaquiver。Inthatshopofshadywaresfittedwithdealshelvespaintedadullbrown，whichseemedtodevourthesheenofthelight，thegoldcircletoftheweddingringonMrsVerloc’slefthandglitteredexceedinglywiththeuntarnishedgloryofapiecefromsomesplendidtreasureofjewels，droppedinadust—bin。