ButheronlyrealconcernwasStevie’swelfare。Heappearedtoherthoughtinthatconnectionassufficientlypeculiar’nottobetakenrashlyabroad。
　　Andthatwasall。Buttalkingroundthatvitalpoint，sheapproachedabsolutevehemenceinherdelivery。Meanwhile，withbrusquemovements，shearrayedherselfinanapronforthewashingupofcups。Andasifexcitedbythesoundofheruncontradictedvoice，shewentsofarastosayinatonealmosttart:
　　`Ifyougoabroadyou’llhavetogowithoutme。’
　　`YouknowIwouldn’t，’saidMrVerloc，huskily，andtheunresonantvoiceofhisprivatelifetrembledwithanenigmaticalemotion。
　　AlreadyMrsVerlocwasregrettingherwords。Theyhadsoundedmoreunkindthanshemeantthemtobe。Theyhadalsotheunwisdomofunnecessarythings。
　　Infact，shehadnotmeantthematall。Itwasasortofphrasethatissuggestedbythedemonofperverseinspiration。Butsheknewawaytomakeitasifithadnotbeen。
　　Sheturnedherheadoverhershoulderandgavethatmanplantedheavilyinfrontofthefireplaceaglance，halfarch，halfcruel，outofherlargeeyes—aglanceofwhichtheWinnieoftheBelgravianmansiondayswouldhavebeenincapable，becauseofherrespectabilityandherignorance。Butthemanwasherhusbandnow，andshewasnolongerignorant。Shekeptitonhimforawholesecond，withhergravefacemotionlesslikeamask，whileshesaidplayfully:
　　`Youcouldn’t。Youwouldmissmetoomuch。’MrVerlocstartedforward。
　　`Exactly，’hesaidinaloudertone，throwinghi’sarmsoutandmakingasteptowardsher。Somethingwildanddoubtfulinhisexpressionmadeitappearuncertainwhetherhemeanttostrangleortoembracehiswife。
　　ButMrsVerloc’sattentionwascalledawayfromthatmanifestationbytheclatteroftheshop—bell。
　　`Shop，Adolf。Yougo。’
　　Hestopped，hisarmscamedownslowly。
　　`Yougo，’repeatedMrsVerloc。`I’vegotmyapronon。’
　　MrVerlocobeyedwoodenly，stony—eyed，andlikeanautomatonwhosefacehadbeenpaintedred。Andthisresemblancetoamechanicalfigurewentsofarthathehadanautomaton’sabsurdairofbeingawareofthemachineryinsideofhim。
　　Heclosedtheparlourdoor，andMrsVerloc，movingbriskly，carriedthetrayintothekitchen。Shewashedthecupsandsomeotherthingsbeforeshestoppedinherworktolisten。Nosoundreachedher。Thecustomerwasalongtimeintheshop。Itwasacustomer，becauseifhehadnotbeenMrVerlocwouldhavetakenhiminside。Undoingthestringsofherapronwithajerk，shethrewitonachair，andwalkedbacktotheparlourslowly。
　　AtthatprecisemomentMrVerlocenteredfromtheshop。
　　Hehadgoneinred。Hecameoutastrangepaperywhite。Hisface，losingitsdrugged，feverishstupor，hadinthatshorttimeacquiredabewilderedandharassedexpression。Hewalkedstraighttothesofa，andstoodlookingdownathisovercoatlyingthere，asthoughhewereafraidtotouchit。
　　`What’sthematter？’askedMrsVerlocinasubduedvoice。Throughthedoorleftajarshecouldseethatthecustomerwasnotgoneyet。
　　`IfindI’llhavetogooutthisevening，’saidMrVerloc。Hedidnotattempttopickuphisoutergarment。
　　WithoutawordWinniemadefortheshop，andshuttingthedoorafterher，walkedinbehindthecounter。Shedidnotlookovertlyatthecustomertillshehadestablishedherselfcomfortablyonthechair。Butbythattimeshehadnotedthathewastallandthin，andworehismoustachestwistedup。Infact，hegavethesharppointsatwistjustthen。Hislong，bonyfaceroseoutofaturned—upcollar。Hewasalittlesplashed，alittlewet。Adarkman，withtheridgeofthecheekbonewelldefinedundertheslightlyhollowtemple。Acompletestranger。Notacustomer，either。
　　MrsVerloclookedathimplacidly。
　　`YoucameoverfromtheContinent？’shesaidafteratime。
　　Thelong，thinstranger，withoutexactlylookingatMrsVerloc，answeredonlybyafaintandpeculiarsmile。
　　MrsVerloc’ssteady，incuriousgazerestedonhim。
　　`YouunderstandEnglish，don’tyou？’
　　`Ohyes。IunderstandEnglish。’
　　Therewasnothingforeigninhisaccent，exceptthatheseemedinhisslowenunciationtobetakingpainswithit。AndMrsVerloc，inhervariedexperience，hadcometotheconclusionthatsomeforeignerscouldspeakbetterEnglishthanthenatives。Shesaid，lookingatthedooroftheparlourfixedly:
　　`Youdon’tthinkperhapsofstayinginEnglandforgood？’
　　Thestrangergaveheragainasilentsmile。Hehadakindlymouthandprobingeyes。Andheshookhisheadalittlesadly，itseemed。
　　`Myhusbandwiltseeyouthroughallright。Meantime，forafewdaysyoucouldn’tdobetterthantakinglodgingswithMrGuigliani。ContinentalHotelit’scalled。Private。It’squiet。Myhusbandwilltakeyouthere。’
　　`Agoodidea，’saidthethin，darkman，whoseglancehadhardenedsuddenly。
　　`YouknewMrVerlocbefore—didn’tyou？PerhapsinFrance？’
　　`Ihaveheardofhim，’admittedthevisitorinhisslow，painstakingtone，whichyethadacertaincurtnessofintention。
　　Therewasapause。Thenhespokeagain，inafarlesselaboratemanner。
　　`Yourhusbandhasnotgoneouttowaitformeinthestreetbychance？’
　　`Inthestreet！’repeatedMrsVerloc，surprised。`Hecouldn’t。There’snootherdoortothehouse。’
　　Foramomentshesatimpassive，thenleftherseattogoandpeepthroughtheglazeddoor。Suddenlysheopenedit，anddisappearedintotheparlour。
　　MrVerlochaddonenomorethanputonhisovercoat。Butwhyheshouldremainafterwardsleaningoverthetableproppeduponhistwoarmsasthoughhewerefeelinggiddyorsick，shecouldnotunderstand。`Adolf，’
　　shecalledouthalfaloud;andwhenhehadraisedhimself:
　　`Doyouknowthatman？’sheasked，rapidly。
　　`I’veheardofhim，’whispereduneasilyMrVerloc，dartingawildglanceatthedoor。
　　MrsVerloc’sfine，incuriouseyeslightedupwithaflashofabhorrence。
　　`OneofKarlYundt’sfriends—beastlyoldman。’
　　`No！No！’protestedMrVerloc，busyfishingforhishat。Butwhenhegotitfromunderthesofahehelditasifhedidnotknowtheuseofahat。
　　`Well—he’swaitingforyou，’saidMrsVerlocatlast。`Isay，Adolf，heain’toneofthemEmbassypeopleyouhavebeenbotheredwithoflate？’
　　`BotheredwithEmbassypeople，’repeatedMrVerloc，withaheavystartofsurpriseandfear。`Who’sbeentalkingtoyouoftheEmbassypeople？’
　　`Yourself。’
　　`I！I！TalkedoftheEmbassytoyou！’
　　MrVerlocseemedscaredandbewilderedbeyondmeasure。Hiswifeexplained:
　　`You’vebeentalkingalittleinyoursleepoflate，Adolf。’
　　`What—whatdidIsay？Whatdoyouknow？’
　　`Nothingmuch。Itseemedmostlynonsense。Enoughtoletmeguessthatsomethingworriedyou。’
　　MrVerlocrammedhishatonhishead。Acrimsonfloodofangerranoverhisface。
　　`Nonsense—eh？TheEmbassypeople！Iwouldcuttheirheartsoutoneafteranother。Butletthemlookout。I’vegotatongueinmyhead。’
　　Hefumed，pacingupanddownbetweenthetableandthesofa，hisopenovercoatcatchingagainsttheangles。Theredfloodofangerebbedout，andlefthisfaceallwhite，withquiveringnostrils。MrsVerloc，forthepurposesofpracticalexistence，putdowntheseappearancestothecold。
　　`Well，’shesaid，`getridofthemanwhoeverheis，assoonasyoucan，andcomebackhometome。Youwantlookingafterforadayortwo。’
　　MrVerloccalmeddown，and，withresolutionimprintedonhispaleface，hadalreadyopenedthedoor，whenhiswifecalledhimbackinawhisper:
　　`Adolf！Adolf！’Hecameback，startled。`Whataboutthatmoneyyoudrewout？’sheasked。`You’vegotitinyourpocket？Hadn’tyoubetter——’
　　MrVerlocgazedstupidlyintothepalmofhiswife’sextendedhandforsometimebeforeheslappedhisbrow。
　　`Money！Yes！Yes！Ididn’tknowwhatyoumeant。’
　　Hedrewoutofhisbreast—pocketanewpigskinpocket—book。MrsVerlocreceiveditwithoutanotherword，andstoodstilltillthebell，clatteringafterMrVerlocandMrVerloc’svisitor，hadquieteneddown。Onlythenshepeepedinattheamount，drawingthenotesoutforthepurpose。Afterthisinspectionshelookedroundthoughtfully，withanairofmistrustinthesilenceandsolitudeofthehouse。Thisabodeofhermarriedlifeappearedtoheraslonelyandunsafeasthoughithadbeensituatedinthemidstofaforest。Noreceptacleshecouldthinkofamongstthesolid，heavyfurnitureseemedotherbutflimsyandparticularlytemptingtoherconceptionofahousebreaker。Itwasanidealconception，endowedwithsublimefacultiesandamiraculousinsight。Thetillwasnottobethoughtof。Itwasthefirstspotathiefwouldmakefor。MrsVerloc，unfasteninghastilyacoupleofhooks，slippedthepocket—bookunderthebodiceofherdress。Havingthusdisposedofherhusband’scapital，shewasrathergladtoheartheclatterofthedoor—bell，announcinganarrival。Assumingthefixed，unabashedstareandthestonyexpressionreservedforthecasualcustomer，shewalkedinbehindthecounter。
　　Amanstandinginthemiddleoftheshopwasinspectingitwithaswift，cool，all—roundglance。Hiseyesranoverthewalls，tookintheceiling，notedthefloor—allinamoment。Thepointsofalongfairmoustachefellbelowthelineofthejaw。Hesmiledthesmileofanoldifdistantacquaintance，andMrsVerlocrememberedhavingseenhimbefore。Notacustomer。
　　Shesoftenedher`customerstaretomereindifference，andfacedhimacrossthecounter。
　　Heapproached，onhisside，confidentially，butnottoomarkedlyso。
　　`Husbandathome，MrsVerloc？’heaskedinaneasy，fulltone。
　　`No。He’sgoneout。’
　　`Iamsorryforthat。I’vecalledtogetfromhimalittleprivateinformation。’
　　Thiswastheexacttruth。ChiefInspectorHeathadbeenallthewayhomeandhadevengonesofarastothinkofgettingintohisslippers，sincepracticallyhewas，hetoldhimself，chuckedoutofthatcase。Heindulgedinsomescornfulandinafewangrythoughts，andfoundtheoccupationsounsatisfactorythatheresolvedtoseekreliefoutofdoors。NothingpreventedhimpayingafriendlycallonMrVerloc，casuallyasitwere。
　　Itwasinthecharacterofaprivatecitizenthatwalkingoutprivatelyhemadeuseofhiscustomaryconveyances。TheirgeneraldirectionwastowardsMrVerloc’shome。ChiefInspectorHeatrespectedhisownprivatecharactersoconsistentlythathetookespecialpainstoavoidallthepoliceconstablesonpointandpatroldutyinthevicinityofBrettStreet。ThisprecautionwasmuchmorenecessaryforamanofhisstandingthanforanobscureAssistantCommissioner。PrivateCitizenHeatenteredthestreet，manoeuvringinawaywhichinamemberofthecriminalclasseswouldhavebeenstigmatizedasslinking。ThepieceofclothpickedupinGreenwichwasinhispocket。
　　Notthathehadtheslightestintentionofproducingitinhisprivatecapacity。Onthecontrary，hewantedtoknowjustwhatMrVerlocwouldbedisposedtosayvoluntarily。HehopedMrVerloc’stalkwouldbeofanaturetoincriminateMichaelis。Itwasaconscientiouslyprofessionalhopeinthemain，butnotwithoutitsmoralvalue。ForChiefInspectorHeatwasaservantofjustice。FindingMrVerlocfromhome，hefeltdisappointed。
　　`IwouldwaitforhimalittleifIweresurehewouldn’tbelong，hesaid。’
　　MrsVerlocvolunteerednoassuranceofanykind。
　　`TheinformationIneedisquiteprivate，’herepeated。`YouunderstandwhatImean？Iwonderifyoucouldgivemeanotionwherehe’sgoneto？’
　　MrsVerlocshookherhead。
　　`Can’tsay。’
　　Sheturnedawaytorangesomeboxesontheshelvesbehindthecounter。
　　ChiefInspectorHeatlookedatherthoughtfullyforatime。
　　`IsupposeyouknowwhoIam？’hesaid。
　　MrsVerlocglancedoverhershoulder。ChiefInspectorHeatwasamazedathercoolness。
　　`Come！YouknowIaminthepolice，’hesaid，sharply。
　　`Idon’ttroublemyheadmuchaboutit，’MrsVerlocremarked，returningtotherangingofherboxes。
　　`MynameisHeat。ChiefInspectorHeatoftheSpecialCrimessection。’
　　MrsVerlocadjustednicelyinitsplaceasmallcardboardbox，andturninground，facedhimagain，heavy—eyed，withidlehandshangingdown。Asilencereignedforatime。
　　`Soyourhusbandwentoutaquarterofanhourago！Andhedidn’tsaywhenhewouldbeback？’
　　`Hedidn’tgooutalone，’MrsVerlocletfallnegligently。
　　`Afriend？’MrsVerloctouchedthebackofherhair。Itwasinperfectorder。
　　`Astrangerwhocalled。’
　　`Isee。Whatsortofmanwasthatstranger？Wouldyoumindtellingme？’
　　MrsVerlocdidnotmind。AndwhenChiefInspectorHeatheardofamandark，thin，withalongfaceandturned—upmoustaches，hegavesignsofperturbation，andexclaimed:
　　`DashmeifIdidn’tthinkso！Hehasn’tlostanytime。’
　　Hewasintenselydisgustedinthesecrecyofhisheartattheunofficialconductofhisimmediatechief。Buthewasnotquixotic。HelostalldesiretoawaitMrVerloc’sreturn。Whattheyhadgoneoutforhedidnotknow，butheimagineditpossiblethattheywouldreturntogether。Thecaseisnotfollowedproperly，it’sbeingtamperedwith，hethought，bitterly。
　　`IamafraidIhaven’ttimetowaitforyourhusband，’hesaid。
　　MrsVerlocreceivedthisdeclarationlistlessly。HerdetachmenthadimpressedChiefInspectorHeatallalong。Atthisprecisemomentitwhettedhiscuriosity。ChiefInspectorHeathunginthewind，swayedbyhispassionslikethemostprivateofcitizens。
　　`Ithink，’hesaid，lookingathersteadily，`thatyoucouldgivemeaprettygoodnotionofwhat’sgoingonifyouliked。’
　　Forcingherfine，inerteyestoreturnhisgaze，MrsVerlocmurmured:
　　`Goingon！Whatisgoingon？’
　　`Why，theaffairIcametotalkaboutalittlewithyourhusband。’
　　ThatdayMrsVerlochadglancedatamorningpaperasusual。Butshehadnotstirredoutofdoors。ThenewsboysneverinvadedBrettStreet。
　　Itwasnotastreetfortheirbusiness。Andtheechooftheircries，driftingalongthepopulousthoroughfares，expiredbetweenthedirtybrickwallswithoutreachingthethresholdoftheshop。Herhusbandhadnotbroughtaneveningpaperhome。Atanyrateshehadnotseenit。MrsVerlocknewnothingwhateverofanyaffair。Andshesaidso，withagenuinenoteofwonderinherquietvoice。
　　ChiefInspectorHeatdidnotbelieveforamomentinsomuchignorance。
　　Curtly，withoutamiability，hestatedthebarefact。
　　MrsVerlocturnedawayhereyes。
　　`Icallitsilly，’shepronounced，slowly。Shepaused。`Weain’tdowntroddenslaveshere。’
　　TheChiefInspectorwaitedwatchfully。Nothingmorecame。
　　`Andyourhusbanddidn’tmentionanythingtoyouwhenhecamehome？’
　　MrsVerlocsimplyturnedherfacefromrighttoleftinsignofnegation。
　　Alanguid，bafflingsilencereignedintheshop。ChiefInspectorHeatfeltprovokedbeyondendurance。
　　`Therewasanothersmallmatter，’hebeganinadetachedtone，whichIwantedtospeaktoyourhusbandabout。Therecameintoourhandsa—
　　a—whatwebelieveis—astolenovercoat。
　　MrsVerloc，withhermindspeciallyawareofthievesthatevening，touchedlightlythebosomofherdress。
　　`Wehavelostnoovercoat，’shesaid，calmly。
　　`That’sfunny，’continuedPrivateCitizenHeat。`Iseeyoukeepalotofmarkinginkhere——’
　　Hetookupasmallbottle，andlookedatitagainstthegas—jetinthemiddleoftheshop。
　　`Purple—isn’tit？heremarked，settingitdownagain。`AsIsaid，it’sstrange。Becausetheovercoathasgotalabelsewnontheinsidewithyouraddresswritteninmarkingink。’
　　MrsVerlocleanedoverthecounterwithalowexclamation。
　　`That’smybrother’s，then。’
　　`Where’syourbrother？CanIseehim？’askedtheChiefInspector，briskly。
　　MrsVerlocleanedalittlemoreoverthecounter。
　　`No。Heisn’there。Iwrotethatlabelmyself。’
　　`Where’syourbrothernow？’
　　`He’sbeenawaylivingwith—afriend—inthecountry。’
　　`Theovercoatcomesfromthecountry。Andwhat’sthenameofthefriend？’
　　`Michaelis，’confessedMrsVerlocinanawedwhisper。
　　TheChiefInspectorletoutawhistle。Hiseyessnapped。
　　`Justso。Capital。Andyourbrothernow，what’shelike—asturdy，darkishchap—eh？’
　　`Oh，no，’exclaimedMrsVerloc，fervently。`Thatmustbethethief。
　　Stevie’sslightandfair。’
　　`Good，’saidtheChiefInspectorinanapprovingtone。AndwhileMrsVerloc，waveringbetweenalarmandwonder，staredathim，hesoughtforinformation。Whyhavetheaddresssewnlikethisinsidethecoat？Andheheardthatthemangledremainshehadinspectedthatmorningwithextremerepugnancewerethoseofayouth，nervous，absent—minded，peculiar，andalsothatthewomanwhowasspeakingtohimhadhadthechargeofthatboysincehewasababy。
　　`Easilyexcitable？’hesuggested。
　　`Oh，yes。Heis。Buthowdidhecometolosehiscoat——’
　　ChiefInspectorHeatsuddenlypulledoutapinknewspaperhehadboughtlessthanhalfanhourago。Hewasinterestedinhorses。Forcedbyhiscallingintoanattitudeofdoubtandsuspiciontowardshisfellowcitizens，ChiefInspectorHeatrelievedtheinstinctofcredulityimplantedinthehumanbreastbyputtingunboundedfaithinthesportingprophetsofthatparticulareveningpublication。Droppingtheextraspecialontothecounter，heplungedhishandagainintohispocket，andpullingoutthepieceofclothfatehadpresentedhimwithoutofaheapofthingsthatseemedtohavebeencollectedinshamblesandragshops，heofferedittoMrsVerlocforinspection。
　　`Isupposeyourecognizethis？’
　　Shetookitmechanicallyinbothherhands。Hereyesseemedtogrowbiggerasshelooked。
　　`Yes，’shewhispered，thenraisedherhead，andstaggeredbackwardalittle。
　　`Whateverforisittornoutlikethis？’
　　TheChiefInspectorsnatchedacrossthecountertheclothoutofherhands，andshesatheavilyonthechair。Hethought:identification’sperfect。
　　Andinthatmomenthehadaglimpseintothewholeamazingtruth。Verlocwasthe`otherman’。
　　`MrsVerloc，’hesaid，`itstrikesmethatyouknowmoreofthisbombaffairthanevenyouyourselfareawareof。’
　　MrsVerlocsatstill，amazed，lostinboundlessastonishment。Whatwastheconnection？Andshebecamesorigidalloverthatshewasnotabletoturnherheadattheclatterofthebell，whichcausedtheprivateinvestigatorHeattospinroundonhisheel。MrVerlochadshutthedoor，andforamomentthetwomenlookedateachother。
　　MrVerloc，withoutlookingathiswife，walkeduptotheChiefInspector，whowasrelievedtoseehimreturnalone。
　　`Youhere！’mutteredMrVerloc，heavily。`Whoareyouafter？’
　　`Noone，’saidChiefInspectorHeatinalowtone。`Lookhere，Iwouldlikeawordortwowithyou。’
　　MrVerloc，stillpale，hadbroughtanairofresolutionwithhim。Stillhedidn’tlookathiswife。Hesaid:
　　`Comeinhere，then。’Andheledthewayintotheparlour。
　　ThedoorwashardlyshutwhenMrsVerloc，jumpingupfromthechair，rantoitasiftoflingitopen，butinsteadofdoingsofellonherknees，withhereartothekeyhole。Thetwomenmusthavestoppeddirectlytheywerethrough，becausesheheardplainlytheChiefInspector’svoice，thoughshecouldnotseehisfingerpressedagainstherhusband’sbreastemphatically。
　　`Youaretheotherman，Verloc。Twomenwereseenenteringthepark。’
　　AndthevoiceofMrVerlocsaid:
　　`Well，takemenow。What’stopreventyou？Youhavetheright。’
　　`Oh，no！Iknowtoowellwhoyouhavebeengivingyourselfawayto。
　　He’llhavetomanagethislittleaffairallbyhimself。Butdon’tyoumakeamistake，it’sIwhofoundyouout。’
　　Thensheheardonlymuttering。InspectorHeatmusthavebeenshowingtoMrVerlocthepieceofStevie’sovercoat，becauseStevie’ssister，guardian，andprotectorheardherhusbandalittlelouder。
　　`Inevernoticedthatshehadhituponthatdodge。’
　　AgainforatimeMrsVerlocheardnothingbutmurmurs，whosemysteriousnesswaslessnightmarishtoherbrainthanthehorriblesuggestionsofshapedwords。ThenChiefInspectorHeat，ontheothersideofthedoor，raisedhisvoice:
　　`Youmusthavebeenmad。’
　　AndMrVerloc’svoiceanswered，withasortofgloomyfury:
　　`Ihavebeenmadforamonthormore，butIamnotmadnow。It’sallover。Itshallallcomeoutofmyhead，andhangtheconsequences。’
　　Therewasasilence，andthenPrivateCitizenHeatmurmured:
　　`What’scomingout？’
　　`Everything，’exclaimedthevoiceofMrVerloc，andthensankverylow。
　　Afterawhileitroseagain。
　　`Youhaveknownmeforseveralyearsnow，andyou’vefoundmeuseful，too。YouknowIwasastraightman。Yes，straight。’
　　ThisappealtooldacquaintancemusthavebeenextremelydistastefultotheChiefInspector。
　　Hisvoicetookonawarningnote。
　　`Don’tyoutrustsomuchtowhatyouhavebeenpromised。IfIwereyouIwouldclearout。Idon’tthinkwewillrunafteryou。’
　　MrVerlocwasheardtolaughalittle。
　　`Oh，yes;youhopetheotherswillgetridofmeforyou—don’tyou？
　　No，no;youdon’tshakemeoffnow。Ihavebeenastraightmantothosepeopletoolong，andnoweverythingmustcomeout。’
　　`Letitcomeout，then，’theindifferentvoiceofChiefInspectorHeatassented。`Buttellmenowhowdidyougetaway？’
　　`IwasmakingforChesterfieldWalk，’MrsVerlocheardherhusband’svoice，`whenIheardthebang。Istartedrunningthen。Fog。IsawnoonetillIwaspasttheendofGeorgeStreet。Don’tthinkImetanyonetillthen。’
　　`Soeasyasthat！’marvelledthevoiceofChiefInspectorHeat。`Thebangstartledyou，eh？’
　　`Yes;itcametoosoon，’confessedthegloomy，huskyvoiceofMrVerloc。
　　MrVerlocpressedhereartothekeyhole;herlipswereblue，herhandscoldasice，andherpaleface，inwhichthetwoeyesseemedliketwoblackholes，felttoherasifitwereenvelopedinflames。
　　Ontheothersideofthedoorthevoicessankverylow。Shecaughtwordsnowandthensometimesinherhusband’svoice，sometimesinthesmoothtonesoftheChiefInspector。Sheheardthislastsay:
　　`Webelievehestumbledagainsttherootofatree？’
　　Therewasahusky，volublemurmur，whichlastedforsometime，andthentheChiefInspector，asifansweringsomeinquiry，spokeemphatically:
　　`Ofcourse。Blowntosmallbits:limbs，gravel，clothing，bones，splinters—allmixeduptogether。Itellyoutheyhadtofetchashoveltogatherhimupwith。’
　　MrsVerlocsprangsuddenlyfromhercrouchingposition，andstoppingherears，reeledtoandfrobetweenthecounterandtheshelvesonthewalltowardsthechair。HercrazedeyesnotedthesportingsheetleftbytheChiefInspector，andassheknockedherselfagainstthecountershesnatcheditup，fellintothechair，toretheoptimistic，rosysheetrightacrossintryingtoopenit，thenflungitonthefloor。Ontheothersideofthedoor，ChiefInspectorHeatwassayingtoMrVerloc，thesecretagent:
　　`Soyourdefencewillbepracticallyafullconfession？’
　　`Itwill。Iamgoingtotellthewholestory。’
　　`Youwon’tbebelievedasmuchasyoufancyyouwill。’
　　AndtheChiefInspectorremainedthoughtful。Theturnthisaffairwastakingmeantthedisclosureofmanythings—thelayingwasteoffieldsofknowledge，which，cultivatedbyacapableman，hadadistinctvaluefortheindividualandforthesociety。Itwassorry，sorrymeddling。ItwouldleaveMichaelisunscathed;itwoulddragtolighttheProfessor’shomeindustry;disorganizethewholesystemofsupervision;makenoendofarowinthepapers，which，fromthatpointofview，appearedtohimbyasuddenilluminationasinvariablywrittenbyfoolsforthereadingofimbeciles。MentallyheagreedwiththewordsMrVerlocletfallatlastinanswertohislastremark。
　　`Perhapsnot。Butitwillupsetmanythings。Ihavebeenastraightman，andIshallkeepstraightinthis——’
　　`Iftheyletyou，’saidtheChiefInspector，cynically。`Youwillbepreachedto，nodoubt，beforetheyputyouintothedock。Andintheendyoumayyetgetletinforasentencethatwillsurpriseyou。Iwouldn’ttrusttoomuchthegentlemanwho’sbeentalkingtoyou。’
　　MrVerloclistened，frowning。
　　`Myadvicetoyouistoclearoutwhileyoumay。Ihavenoinstructions。
　　Therearesomeofthem，’continuedChiefInspectorHeat，layingapeculiarstressontheword`them’，`whothinkyouarealreadyoutoftheworld。’
　　`Indeed！’MrVerlocwasmovedtosay。ThoughsincehisreturnfromGreenwichhehadspentmostofhistimesittinginthetap—roomofanobscurelittlepublic—house，hecouldhardlyhavehopedforsuchfavourablenews。
　　`That’stheimpressionaboutyou。’TheChiefInspectornoddedathim。
　　`Vanish。Clearout。’
　　`Whereto？’snarledMrVerloc。Heraisedhishead，andgazingatthecloseddooroftheparlour，mutteredfeelingly:`Ionlywishyouwouldtakemeawaytonight。Iwouldgoquietly。’
　　`Idaresay，’assentedsardonicallytheChiefInspector，followingthedirectionofhisglance。
　　ThebrowofMrVerlocbrokeintoslightmoisture。HeloweredhishuskyvoiceconfidentiallybeforetheunmovedChiefInspector。
　　`Theladwashalf—witted，irresponsible。Anycourtwouldhaveseenthatatonce。Onlyfitfortheasylum。Andthatwastheworstthatwould’vehappenedtohimif——’
　　TheChiefInspector，hishandonthedoorhandle，whisperedintoMrVerloc’sface:
　　`Hemay’vebeenhalf—witted，butyoumusthavebeencrazy。Whatdroveyouoffyourheadlikethis？’
　　MrVerloc，thinkingofMrVladimir，didnothesitateinthechoiceofwords。
　　`AHyperboreanswine，’hehissed，forcibly。`Awhatyoumightcalla—gentleman。’
　　TheChiefInspector，steady—eyed，noddedbrieflyhiscomprehension，andopenedthedoor。MrsVerloc，behindthecounter，mighthaveheardbutdidnotseehisdeparture，pursuedbytheaggressiveclatterofthebell。
　　Shesatatherpostofdutybehindthecounter。Shesatrigidlyerectinthechairwithtwodirtypinkpiecesofpaperlyingspreadoutatherfeet。
　　Thepalmsofherhandswerepressedconvulsivelytoherface，withthetipsofthefingerscontractedagainsttheforehead，asthoughtheskinhadbeenamaskwhichshewasreadytotearoffviolently。Theperfectimmobilityofherposeexpressedtheagitationofrageanddespair，allthepotentialviolenceoftragicpassions，betterthananyshallowdisplayofshrieks，withthebeatingofadistractedheadagainstthewalls，couldhavedone。ChiefInspectorHeat，crossingtheshopathisbusy，swingingpace，gaveheronlyacursoryglance。AndwhenthecrackedbellceasedtotrembleonitscurvedribbonofsteelnothingstirrednearMrsVerloc，asifherattitudehadthelockingpowerofaspell。Eventhebutterfly—shapedgasflamesposedontheendsofthesuspendedT—bracketburnedwithoutaquiver。Inthatshopofshadywaresfittedwithdealshelvespaintedadullbrown，whichseemedtodevourthesheenofthelight，thegoldcircletoftheweddingringonMrsVerloc’slefthandglitteredexceedinglywiththeuntarnishedgloryofapiecefromsomesplendidtreasureofjewels，droppedinadust—bin。