He was fizzing like an impatient soda fountain.

But why did he follow me ?" "Well, that might be Billy's roundabout way of getting to me.

The other time he shadowed Marvin Chislett to get a message to me.

If you're a detective, you can't do things the usual way, or all may be lost." At that instant a low whistle sounded in our ears, a small missile was thrown over the evergreen hedge, bounding almost to our feet, and a slight but muscular figure was seen retreating swiftly into the dusk.
Solon sprang for the mysterious object.

It was a stone, about which was wrapped a sheet of paper.