"What can I do for you ?" The Major shuffled feverishly into the room.
"It's horribly absurd," he said.

"Something must have got started in me that I never knew before.

But upon my soul I feel the most desperate desire to know the end of it all." "The end of it all ?" "Yes," said the Major.

"'Jackals', and the title-deeds, and 'Death to Major Brown'." The agent's face grew grave, but his eyes were amused.
"I am terribly sorry, Major," said he, "but what you ask is impossible.
I don't know any one I would sooner oblige than you; but the rules of the agency are strict.

The Adventures are confidential; you are an outsider; I am not allowed to let you know an inch more than I can help.
I do hope you understand--" "There is no one," said Brown, "who understands discipline better than I do.