“I knocked, but seemingly⁠—”

“Perhaps you did. But in my investigations⁠—my really very urgent and necessary investigations⁠—the slightest disturbance, the jar of a door⁠—I must ask you⁠—”

“Certainly, sir. You can turn the lock if you’re like that, you know. Any time.”

“A very good idea,” said the stranger.

“This stror, sir, if I might make so bold as to remark⁠—”

“Don’t. If the straw makes trouble put it down in the bill.” And he mumbled at her⁠—words suspiciously like curses.