He proved to be a man apparently of middle age, of height approximating Maitland's; his shoulders were slightly rounded as if from habitual bending over a desk, his pose mild and deferential. By his eyeglasses and peering look, he was near-sighted; by his dress, a gentleman of taste and judgment as well as of means to gratify both. A certain jaunty and summery touch in his attire suggested a person of leisure who had just run down from his country place, for a day in town. His voice, when he spoke, did nothing to dispel the illusion. "Mr. Maitland?" he opened the conversation briskly. "I trust I do not intrude? I shall be brief as possible, if you will favor me with a private interview." Maitland remarked a voice well modulated and a good choice of words. He rose courteously. "I should be pleased to do so," he suggested, "if you could advance any reasons for such a request." Mr. Snaith smiled discreetly, fumbling in his side pocket. A second slip of cardboard appeared between his fingers as he stepped over toward Maitland. "If I had not feared it might deprive me of this interview, I should have sent in my business card at once," he said. "Permit me." Maitland accepted the card and elevated his brows. "Oh!" he said, putting it down, his manner becoming perceptibly less cordial. "I say, O'Hagan." "Yessor?" "I shall be busy for--Will half an hour satisfy you, Mr. Snaith?" "You are most kind," the stranger bowed. "In half an hour, O'Hagan, you may return." "Very good, sor." And the hall door closed. "So," said Maitland, turning to face the man squarely, "you are from Police Headquarters?" "As you see." Mr. Snaith motioned delicately toward his business card--as he called it. "Well?"--after a moment's pause. "I am a detective, you understand." "Perfectly," Maitland assented, unmoved. His caller seemed partly amused, partly--but very slightly--embarrassed. "I have been assigned to cover the affair of last night," he continued blandly. "I presume you have no objection to giving me what information you may possess." "Credentials?" The man's amusement was made visible in a fugitive smile, half-hidden by his small and neatly trimmed mustache. Mutely eloquent, he turned back the lapel of his coat, exposing a small shield; at which Maitland glanced casually. "Very well," he consented, bored but resigned. "Fire ahead, but make it as brief as you can; I've an engagement in"--glancing at the clock--"an hour, and must dress." "I'll detain you no longer than is essential.... Of course you understand how keen we are after this man, Anisty." "What puzzles me," Maitland interrupted, "is how you got wind of the affair so soon." "Then you have not heard?" Mr. Snaith exhibited polite surprise. "I am just out of bed." "Anisty escaped shortly after you left Maitland Manor." "Ah!"