He believed that the detective was telling Devar what to say and how to say it.
"Now that we have settled the matter of Mr.Curtis's references," said Steingall, resuming the talk as though it had not been interrupted, "I reach the next item.

Both of you are aware that two men have been arrested, and one is dead, and that all three were concerned in the attack on Mr.Hunter." "Yes," came the simultaneous answer.
"I want you to forget names, except with regard to Lamotte, the chauffeur.

Martiny and Rossi, for the time being, vanish into the Ewigkeit." "What--forever ?" Curtis could not help saying.
"No, for a week or so." Steingall darted a quick glance to his questioner.

"I have a stupid trick of adopting phrases from my pet authors," he said.

"Does Ewigkeit mean eternity ?" "Yes." "Well, then, I withdraw it." "Try Niflheim." "Or Ruedesheim," suggested Devar wickedly.
Steingall laughed.