Pagett ignored the sally as far as possible.

“I thought you couldn’t know about this.” He tapped the telegram. “I know you dislike being aroused early⁠—but it is nine o’clock”⁠—Pagett insists on regarding 9 a.m. as practically the middle of the day⁠—“and I thought that under the circumstances⁠ ⁠…” He tapped the telegram again.

“What is that thing?” I asked.

“It’s a telegram from the police at Marlow. A woman has been murdered in your house.”

That aroused me in earnest.

“What colossal cheek,” I exclaimed. “Why in my house? Who murdered her?”