Just imagine Winter dodging Jiro around the Rosetta Stone or the Phoebus Apollo, whilst the woman is visiting some one or some place of infinite value to our search.

It is positively maddening." Perhaps, in his heart, Brett felt that Winter was not so greatly to blame.
The sudden appearance on the scene of a portly and respectable stranger was disconcerting, but could hardly serve as an excuse for leaving Jiro's trail at the point of bifurcation.
Moreover, it is difficult to suspect stout people of criminal tendencies.
Winter had the best of negative evidence that they are not adapted for "treasons, spoils, and stratagems." Even a convicted rogue, if corpulent, demands sympathy.
But Brett was very sore.

He stamped about the room and kicked unoffending chairs out of the way.

His unfailing instinct told him that a rare opportunity had been lost.

It was well for Winter that he was beyond reach of the barrister's tongue.