To his amazement it was the voice of Cresswell, the Assistant Commissioner of Police, who had been instrumental in persuading Tarling to come to England.
"Can you come round to the Yard immediately, Tarling ?" said the voice.

"I want to talk to you about this murder." "Surely," said Tarling.

"I'll be with you in a few minutes." In five minutes he was at Scotland Yard and was ushered into the office of Assistant Commissioner Cresswell.

The white-haired man who came across to meet him with a smile of pleasure in his eyes disclosed the object of the summons.
"I'm going to bring you into this case, Tarling," he said.

"It has certain aspects which seem outside the humdrum experience of our own people.