"I tell you it's no use.

Is that you, Mr.
Bellairs?
Who is that ?" "I only want to put a single question," said I, civilly.

"Why do you want to buy the Flying Scud ?" No answer came.

The telephone vibrated and hummed in miniature with all the numerous talk of a great city; but the voice of 2241 was silent.
Once and twice I put my question; but the tiny, sing-song English voice, I heard no more.

The man, then, had fled?
fled from an impertinent question?
It scarce seemed natural to me; unless on the principle that the wicked fleeth when no man pursueth.