And he repeated, as if reconsidering the suggestion conscientiously:

"The bomb. No, I would not say that exactly. We may never find that
out. But it's clear that he is connected with this in some way, which we
can find out without much trouble."

His countenance had that look of grave, overbearing indifference once
well known and much dreaded by the better sort of thieves. Chief
Inspector Heat, though what is called a man, was not a smiling animal.
But his inward state was that of satisfaction at the passively receptive
attitude of the Assistant Commissioner, who murmured gently:

"And you really think that the investigation should be made in that
direction?"

"I do, sir."

"Quite convinced?

"I am, sir. That's the true line for us to take."

The Assistant Commissioner withdrew the support of his hand from his
reclining head with a suddenness that, considering his languid attitude,
seemed to menace his whole person with collapse. But, on the contrary,
he sat up, extremely alert, behind the great writing-table on which his
hand had fallen with the sound of a sharp blow.

"What I want to know is what put it out of your head till now."

"Put it out of my head," repeated the Chief Inspector very slowly.

"Yes. Till you were called into this room--you know."

The Chief Inspector felt as if the air between his clothing and his skin
had become unpleasantly hot. It was the sensation of an unprecedented
and incredible experience.

"Of course," he said, exaggerating the deliberation of his utterance to
the utmost limits of possibility, "if there is a reason, of which I know
nothing, for not interfering with the convict Michaelis, perhaps it's
just as well I didn't start the county police after him."

This took such a long time to say that the unflagging attention of the
Assistant Commissioner seemed a wonderful feat of endurance. His retort
came without delay.

"No reason whatever that I know of. Come, Chief Inspector, this
finessing with me is highly improper on your part--highly improper. And
it's also unfair, you know. You shouldn't leave me to puzzle things out
for myself like this. Really, I am surprised."

He paused, then added smoothly: "I need scarcely tell you that this
conversation is altogether unofficial."

These words were far from pacifying the Chief Inspector. The indignation
of a betrayed tight-rope performer was strong within him. In his pride
of a trusted servant he was affecte