Needs working up a bit, though.

What has happened to my grey matter?
Let me think.

Ah, yes--when that Johnny brought word of an accident, a serious accident to her brother, Maitland, naturally enough, the gallant soul, hurries her off in his car, sending word by aforesaid mad Johnny." Vic went to the outer door, feeling the necessity for a somewhat careful conning of his tale to give it, as he said himself, a little artistic verisimilitude.

Then, with his lesson--as he thought--well learned, and praying for aid of unknown gods, he went back to find his partner.
"If only Patricia will keep out of it," he said to himself as he neared the hall door, "or if I could only catch old Hugh first.

But he is not much of a help in this sort of thing.