Clue of the Twisted Candle

es that they are planned with the idea of supplying themargin of space above all requirements and that on theircompletion they are f

passers-by that this was the "Public Prosecutor, SpecialBranch."The duties of T. X. were multifarious. People said of him - andlike most public gossip, this was probably untrue - that he wasthe

nd if it was necessary for the good of the communitythat that person should be deported, it was T. X. who arrested theobnoxious person, hus

as suddenly recalled by his government andbrought to trial in his native land for pu

house, burnt the locksfrom his safe and s

speak behind their hands, mysteriousunder-secretaries of state who discuss things in whispers in theremote corners of their clubrooms a

ion is popularly supposed to have sent one HomeSecretary to his grave, who traced the Deptford murderers througha labyrinth of perjury an

s inner officeinterviewing a disconsolate in

boyish and it was only when you looked at himclosely and saw the little creases about h

tena slight volume of "Woodland Lyrics," the mention of which at

ight, the comment of a former Home Secretary that "it wasunfortunate that Mr. Meredith did not take his position with theseriousness which was expected from a public official."His language was, as

ming angle,scowling at his distressed subordinate who s

the outrageous practice of Mr. Meredith to insist upon hisassociates calling hi

y. "Curious Mike!"He sat up with a suddenness whi

in hishand and tapping his blotting-pad to emphasize his wor

d been in the police force when T. X. was a small boy at school,"you are neither Wise nor Wily; you combine the innocence of aBaby with the grubbiness of a County Parson - you ought to be inthe ch

e and deep eyes that glared under shaggyeyebrows and he was a terror to all men of h

ed curtly

discovered about our friendKara?"He turne

ad Mansus on the job.""And you've f

perform miracles in this department, Sir George, nor can wepick up th

urd to talk about one's best when you know so little ofwhat you want."Sir Ge

e, whohas no particular position in London society and therefore has noreason for coming here, who openly expresses his detestation ofthe climate, who has a magnificent estate in some wild

g with great care a cigarette from thecase he took from his pocket, "let me know something o

unusual. Apparently he is in fear of his life from somecause or other and wants to know if he can have a privatetelephone connection between his house and the central office. Wetold him that he could alwa

oting case in SouthLondon and I don't want a repetition of that sort of thing. Ifpeople want to have blood feuds, let them take them outside themetropolitan area.""By all means," said T. X., "let them. Personally, I don't carewhere

e," he r

X. no

k is closed by a sort of steel latch which he letsfall when he retires for the night and which he opens himselfpersonally in the morning. The wi

more?"

there is a bigfireplace, rather an ornate bed, a steel safe built into the walland visible from its outer sid

placed confidence ofKara's housekeeper, who by the way" - he turned round to his deskand scribbled a name on th

ies. He has announcedhis intention of spending three months of the year in England andnine months abroad. H

re in some danger, T. X.," smiled the Chief, "foraccording to my account you're always more or less broke.""A genial libel

omes to a manwhen he's in love (and he can't possibly be in love since he'smarried) or when he's in debt, I fear that h

receiver. He l

may be something interesting."A little pause; then a hoarse voice spoke to h

ou, John, can't you get your plot to went?""I want you to come down here at once," said the voice urgent

he said, "you a