. As they
disappeared:

"Read out all the times mentioned in the last witness's evidence,"
directed Kerry, undisturbed by the rencontre.

Sergeant Coombes smiled rather uneasily, consulting his notebook.

"'At about half-past six I drove to Bond Street,'" he began.

"I said the times," rapped Kerry. "I know to what they refer. Just give
me the times as mentioned."

"Oh," murmured Coombes, "Yes. 'About half-past six.'" He ran his finger
down the page. "'A quarter to seven.' 'Seven o'clock.' 'Twenty-five
minutes past seven.' 'Eight o'clock.'"

"Stop!" said Kerry. "That's enough." He fixed a baleful glance upon
Gunn, who from a point of the room discreetly distant from the terrible
red man was watching with watery eyes. "Who's the smart in all the
overcoats?" he demanded.

"My name is James Gunn," replied this greatly insulted man in a husky
voice.

"Who are you? What are you? What are you doing here?"

"I'm employed by Spinker's Agency, and--"

"Oh!" shouted Kerry, moving his shoulders. He approached the speaker and
glared menacingly into his purple face. "Ho, ho! So you're one of the
queer birds out of that roost, are you? Spinker's Agency! Ah, yes!" He
fixed his gaze now upon the pale features of Brisley. "I've seen you
before, haven't I?"

"Yes, Chief Inspector," said Brisley, licking his lips. "Hayward's
Heath. We have been retained by--"

"You have been retained!" shouted Kerry. "You have!"

He twisted round upon his heel, facing Monte Irvin. Angry words trembled
on his tongue. But at sight of the broken man who sat there alone,
haggard, a subtle change of expression crept into his fierce eyes, and
when he spoke again the high-pitched voice was almost gentle. "You had
employed these men, sir, to watch--"

He paused, glancing towards Whiteleaf, who had just entered again, and
then in the direction of the inner room where the divisional surgeon was
at work.

"To watch my wife, Inspector. Thank you, but all the world will know
tomorrow. I might as well get used to it."

Monte Irvin's pallor grew positively alarming. He swayed suddenly
and extended his hands in a significant groping fashion. Kerry sprang
forward and supported him.

"All right, Inspector--all right," muttered Irvin. "Thank you. It has
been a great shock. At first I feared--"

"You thought your wife had been attacked, I understand? Well--it's not
so bad as that, sir. I am going to walk downstairs to the car with you."

"But there