He should be back by now," said Tarling.
It was half-past one in the morning, and a telephone inquiry to Scotland Yard had produced no information.
"It is possible, of course," Tarling went on, "that Stay took the cab on to Hertford.

The man has developed into a dangerous lunatic." "All criminals are more or less mad," said the philosophical Whiteside.
"I wonder what turned this fellow's brain." "Love!" said Tarling.
The other looked at him in surprise.
"Love ?" he repeated incredulously, and Tarling: nodded.
"Undoubtedly Sam Stay adored Lyne.

It was the shock of his death which drove him mad." Whiteside drummed his fingers on the table, thoughtfully.
"What do you think of Milburgh's story ?" he asked, and Tarling shrugged his shoulders.
"It is most difficult to form a judgment," he said.

"The man spoke as though he were telling the truth, and something within me convinces me that he was not lying.

And yet the whole thing is incredible." "Of course, Milburgh has had time to make up a pretty good story," warned Whiteside.