"Please do what you are asked, Mr. Bates. And you might make some tea at the same time; the canister is on the shelf above you." "Yes, sir." "And bring it all into the kitchen as soon as it is ready." "Yes, sir." The fragrant smell of the hissing eggs and bacon was the most exquisite torture to Mr. Bates. An agonised longing to seize some of the food and stuff it into his mouth almost dazed him with its intensity. Nevertheless, he firmly proceeded with his task, turning out a succulent steaming dish, just cooked to precisely the right point. Then he made the tea, and taking down a plate which he had put to warm, placed the whole lot upon a tray, and carried it into the kitchen. The Professor was sitting at the table, which was laid for two. "Excellent," he said, taking off the cover and looking at the contents. "But how is this--you have only brought one hot plate?" "I thought that was all you would require, sir." "But there is yourself, Mr. Bates. I laid a place for you under the impression that you were hungry." "Oh, sir," said Mr. Bates, with a little gasp, "if I may have something outside, sir! I--I should hardly like to sit down with you, sir." The Professor raised his eyebrows again. "Really, Mr. Bates, a little more self-respect, if you please. You must remember that you are a burglar now, not a valet." "Yes, sir." Mr. Bates seated himself in the second chair, and the Professor, whose appetite seemed suddenly to have vanished, helped him to about seven-eighths of the eggs and bacon. Mr. Bates fell upon them with as much ferocity as his professional refinement would permit. The Professor handed him a cup of tea, and after watching him for a minute, got up and walked to where a telephone was fastened to the wall. He took off the receiver. "Are you there?" he said. "Please put me on to the London Exchange. Yes, thank you. Don't you bother, Mr. Bates, go on with your breakfast. Is that the Exchange? I want 400 City. Yes. Help yourself to some more tea when you want it, Mr. Bates. Are you there? Is that Scotland Yard? Professor Stenson. Would you ask Inspector Green to come to the telephone? All right. You will find some marmalade in the white pot, Mr. Bates. Is that you, Green? Yes. I want you to do something for me. It's just to look up the record of a man named William Bates, who was bound over at--where was it, Mr. Bates?--ah--Marylebone, on--what date?--May 7th. I should like to have any information you possess." He turned and contemplated Mr. Bates, who was staring at him with his mouth open. "Wonderful invention, the telephone, isn't it, Mr. Bates?" he remarked. "It keeps us so in touch with the actual facts of existence. But don't let my private business interfere with your breakfast. You must be hungry after your somewhat uncomfortable night." Mr. Bates said nothing. He seemed content to stare and eat.