that would have astonished those many million innocents who swallow our daily press.
He went to the telephone and rang up 246. 246 answered very gruffly; then, suddenly appreciating that it was Mr. Kirby who was talking, 246 answered with extraordinary courtesy.
Since I may only report what happened at my end of the line, let the reader gather what it was that Mr. Kirby said.
He said—
"Is that you Robinson?"
Next he said—
"Any other inspector there?"
The third thing he said was—
"No! No! Mr. Brassington's coat! Advertised, you fool!"
The fourth thing he said was—
"It isn't a question of whether the receiver admitted it, but what receiver you traced it to."
The fifth thing was said very impatiently—
"Oh, yes, yes, of course, I know Mr. Brassington must have asked. The point is, which … What? … Spell it! M—O—N—T … Oh, yes … Old Sammy!" Then came a pause. "What? …
