I may look in again myself an hour or two later." "You don't want a passage, sir?
You may be the friend he's expecting." "No, I don't want a passage--not at present certainly." Then I ventured on a bold stroke.

"Look here," I said, leaning across towards him, and assuming a confidential tone: "I am a private detective"-- which was perfectly true in essence--"and I'm dogging the Professor, who, for all his eminence, is gravely suspected of a great crime.

If you will help me, I will make it worth your while.

Let us understand one another.

I offer you a five-pound note to say nothing of all this to him." The sallow clerk's fishy eye glistened.