“Well,” said Superintendent Battle, “there it was. I suspected Mr. Thesiger⁠—but I couldn’t get definite proof. On the other hand, Mr. Thesiger himself was rattled. He realised more or less what he was up against in the Seven Dials⁠—but he wanted badly to know who No. 7 was. He got himself asked to the Cootes under the impression that Sir Oswald Coote was No. 7.”

“I suspected Sir Oswald,” said Bundle, “especially when he came in from the garden that night.”

“I never suspected him,” said Battle. “But I don’t mind telling you that I did have my suspicions of that young chap, his secretary.”

“Pongo?” said Bill. “Not old Pongo?”