After closing the door carefully and looking all round the room to make certain that we were alone, he came close to me.
"What is it ?" I asked him.

"I see you wish to speak to me privately." "Quite so, sir! May I speak in absolute confidence ?" "Of course you may.

In anything that is for the good of Miss Trelawny--and of course Mr.Trelawny--you may be perfectly frank.

I take it that we both want to serve them to the best of our powers." He hesitated before replying: "Of course you know that I have my duty to do; and I think you know me well enough to know that I will do it.

I am a policeman--a detective; and it is my duty to find out the facts of any case I am put on, without fear or favour to anyone.