That was a professional trick of his.

He had never before in his life heard of Mr.Ingerman, but encouraged the notion that this gentleman was thoroughly, and not quite favorably, known to him.

Sometimes it happened that a witness, interpreting this sapient look by the light of his or her personal and intimate knowledge, would blurt out certain facts, good or bad as the case might be, concerning the person under discussion.
But Grant remained obstinately silent as to the qualities of this doubtful Ingerman, so Mr.Fowler scribbled the name in a note-book, and was particular as to whether it ended in one "n" or two.
Still, he carried other shots in his locker.

In fact, Mr.Fowler, had he taken in youth to nicer legal subtleties than handcuffs and summonses, would have become a shrewd lawyer.
"We'll leave Mr.Ingerman for the moment," he said, implying, of course, that on returning to him there might be revelations.

"I gather that you and Miss Melhuish did not agree, shall I put it?
as to the precise bearing of the marriage tie on your love affair ?" "I'm afraid I don't quite follow your meaning," and Grant's tone stiffened ominously, but his questioner was by no means abashed.
"I have no great acquaintance with the stage or its ways, but I have always understood that divorce proceedings among theatrical folk were, shall we say?
more popular than, in the ordinary walks of life," said Mr.Fowler.
Grant's resentment vanished.