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。
