Though he judged his alarm sardonically he did not dismiss the improper thought from his mind.

The instinct of self-preservation was strong within him.
On the contrary, he repeated it mentally with profane emphasis and a fuller precision: "Damn it! If that infernal Heat has his way the fellow'll die in prison smothered in his fat, and she'll never forgive me." His black, narrow figure, with the white band of the collar under the silvery gleams on the close-cropped hair at the back of the head, remained motionless.

The silence had lasted such a long time that Chief Inspector Heat ventured to clear his throat.

This noise produced its effect.

The zealous and intelligent officer was asked by his superior, whose back remained turned to him immovably: "You connect Michaelis with this affair ?" Chief Inspector Heat was very positive, but cautious.
"Well, sir," he said, "we have enough to go upon.