Robert, a little out of breath, was standing at attention.

There was a disturbed look in his face, a tremor in his voice.
"I beg your pardon, sir," he repeated, "there is--some one here to see you." "Some one ?" Tallente repeated impatiently.
Robert leaned a little forward.

The effort at lowering his voice only made his hoarse whisper sound more agitated.
"A police inspector, sir, from Barnstaple, is waiting in the study.".