Chapter 2

           SuperintendentDolanwentquietlytothedoor;byasortofnaturalunderstandinghehadtakenpossessionofaffairsintheroom.Therestofuswaited.Heopenedthedooralittleway;andthenwithagestureofmanifestreliefthrewitwide,andayoungmansteppedin.Ayoungmanclean-shaven,tallandslight;withaneaglefaceandbright,quickeyesthatseemedtotakeineverythingaroundhimataglance.Ashecamein,theSuperintendentheldouthishand;thetwomenshookhandswarmly.

           "Icameatonce,sir,themomentIgotyourmessage.IamgladIstillhaveyourconfidence."

           "Thatyou’llalwayshave,"saidtheSuperintendentheartily."IhavenotforgottenouroldBowStreetdays,andInevershall!"Then,withoutawordofpreliminary,hebegantotelleverythingheknewuptothemomentofthenewcomer’sentry.SergeantDawaskedafewquestions—averyfew—whenitwasnecessaryforhisunderstandingofcircumstancesortherelativepositionsofpersons;butasaruleDolan,whoknewhisworkthoroughly,forestalledeveryquery,andexplainedallnecessarymattersashewenton.SergeantDawthrewoccasionallyswiftglancesroundhim;nowatoneofus;nowattheroomorsomepartofit;nowatthewoundedmanlyingsenselessonthesofa.

           WhentheSuperintendenthadfinished,theSergeantturnedtomeandsaid:

           "Perhapsyourememberme,sir.IwaswithyouinthatHoxtoncase."

           "Irememberyouverywell,"IsaidasIheldoutmyhand.