 put you up to it? and Who was the man who did it? He answered the
first with remarkable emphasis. As to the second question, I gather that the
fellow with the bomb was his brother-in-law - quite a lad - a weak-minded
creature. ... It is rather a curious affair - too long perhaps to state fully
just now.«
    »What then have you learned?« asked the great man.
    »First, I've learned that the ex-convict Michaelis had nothing to do with
it, though indeed the lad had been living with him temporarily in the country up
to eight o'clock this morning. It is more than likely that Michaelis knows
nothing of it to this moment.«
    »You are positive as to that?« asked the great man.
    »Quite certain, Sir Ethelred. This fellow Verloc went there this morning,
and took away the lad on the pretence of going out for a walk in the lanes. As
it was not the first time that he did this, Michaelis could not have the
slightest suspicion of anything unusual. For the rest, Sir Ethelred, the
indignation of this man Verloc had left nothing in doubt - nothing whatever. He
had been driven out of his mind almost by an extraordinary performance, which
for you or me it would be difficult to take as seriously meant, but which
produced a great impression obviously on him.«
    The Assistant Commissioner then imparted briefly to the great man, who sat
still, resting his eyes under the screen of his hand, Mr. Verloc's appreciation
of Mr. Vladimir's proceedings and character. The Assistant Commissioner did not
seem to refuse it a certain amount of competency. But the great personage
remarked:
    »All this seems very fantastic.«
    »Doesn't it? One would think a ferocious joke. But our man took it
seriously, it appears. He felt himself threatened. Formerly, you know, he was in
direct communication with old Stott-Wartenheim himself, and had come to regard
his services as indispensable. It was an extremely rude awakening. I imagine
that he lost his head. He became angry and frightened. Upon my word, my
impression is that he thought these Embassy people quite capable not only to
throw him out but, to give him away, too, in some manner or other -«
    »How long were you with him?« interrupted the Presence from behind his big
hand.
    »Some forty minutes, Sir Ethelred, in a house of bad repute called
Continental Hotel, closeted in a
