“You see, Mr. Ryder,” he added gently, “I’ve had my suspicions of you. Albert (that important looking boy with the big ears is Albert) had orders to follow on his motor cycle if you and I went off joy riding at any time. And whilst I was ostentatiously marking a chalk cross on the door to engage your attention, I also emptied a little bottle of valerian on the ground. Nasty smell, but cats love it. All the cats in the neighborhood were assembled outside to mark the right house when Albert and the police arrived.”
He looked at the dumbfounded Mr. Ryder with a smile. Then rose to his feet.
“I said I would get you, Crackler, and I have got you,” he observed.
“What the Hell are you talking about?” asked Mr. Ryder. “What do you mean—Crackler?”
“You will find it in the glossary of the next criminal dictionary,” said Tommy. “Etymology doubtful.”
He looked round him with a happy smile.
“And all done without a Nose,” he murmured brightly. “Good night, Marriot. I must go now to where the happy ending of the story awaits me. No reward like the love of a good woman—and the love of a good woman awaits me at home—that is I hope it does, but one never knows nowadays. This has been a very dangerous job, Marriot. Do you know Captain Jimmy Faulkener? His dancing is simply too marvellous and as for his taste in cocktails—! Yes, Marriot, it has been a very dangerous job.”