Tallente met the Prime Minister walking in the Park early on the following morning.

The latter had established the custom of walking from Knightsbridge Barracks, where his car deposited him, to Marble Arch and back every morning, and it had come to be recognised as his desire, and a part of the etiquette of the place, that he should be allowed this exercise without receiving even the recognition of passersby.

On this occasion, however, he took the initiative, stopped Tallente and invited him to talk with him.
"I thought of writing to you, Tallente," he said.

"I cannot bring myself to believe that you were in earnest on Wednesday morning." "Absolutely," the other assured him.

"I have an appointment with Dartrey in an hour's time to close the matter." The Prime Minister was shocked and pained.
"You will dig your own grave," he declared.