There was a man standing in the doorway, in the act of closing the door behind him.
"Milburgh!" he said between his teeth.
"Milburgh!" smiled the other mockingly.

"I am sorry to interrupt this beautiful scene, but the occasion is a desperate one and I cannot afford to stand on ceremony, Mr.Tarling." Tarling put the girl from him and looked at the smirking manager.

One comprehensive glance the detective gave him, noted the cycling clips and the splashes of mud on his trousers, and understood.
"So you were the cyclist, eh ?" he said.
"That's right," said Milburgh, "it is an exercise to which I am very partial." "What do you want ?" asked Tarling, alert and watchful.
"I want you to carry out your promise, Mr.Tarling," said Milburgh smoothly.
Tarling stared at him.
"My promise," he said, "what promise ?" "To protect, not only the evil-doer, but those who have compromised themselves in an effort to shield the evil-doer from his or her own wicked act." Tarling started.
"Do you mean to say----" he said hoarsely.

"Do you mean to accuse---- ?" "I accuse nobody," said Milburgh with a wide sweep of his hands.

"I merely suggest that both Miss Rider and myself are in very serious trouble and that you have it in your power to get us safely out of this country to one where extradition laws cannot follow." Tarling took one step towards him and Milburgh shrank back.
"Do you accuse Miss Rider of complicity in this murder ?" he demanded.
Milburgh smiled, but it was an uneasy smile.
"I make no accusation," he said, "and as to the murder ?" he shrugged his shoulders.