THE DETECTIVE The two men looked at one another, Jennings searchingly, and Cuthbert with a look of mingled amazement and indignation.

They were rather like in looks, both being tall, slim and fair-haired.

But Mallow wore a mustache, whereas the detective, possibly for the sake of disguising himself on occasions, was clean-shaven.

But although Jennings' profession was scarcely that of a gentleman, he looked well-bred, and was dressed with the same quiet taste and refinement as characterized Mallow.

The public-school stamp was on both, and they might have been a couple of young men about town discussing sport rather than an officer of the law and a man who (it seemed from Jennings' hints) was suspected of complicity in a crime.
"Do you mean this for a jest ?" said Cuthbert at length.
"I never jest on matters connected with my profession, Mallow.