The Inspector, who was looking very spruce and well-brushed, wished them a general good-morning.

His eyes rested last and longest upon Laura, who seemed, however, unconscious of his presence.
"Now, then, French," Quest began, as he returned his greeting, "take a cigar, make yourself comfortable in that chair and let us have your news.
As you see, we have obeyed orders.

We are all ready to follow you anywhere you say." "It won't be to the end of the world, anyway," the Inspector remarked, as he lit his cigar.

"I am going to propose a little excursion down Gayson Avenue way." "Back to that house ?" Lenora exclaimed, with a grimace.
The Inspector nodded.
"We have had those boys at the station," he went on, "and we have questioned them carefully.

It seems that after they had picked up the ball, a man came out of the side entrance of the house, saw them reading Miss Lenora's message, and shouted after them.