“Here you are,” said the latter when the other had left the room. “The Blood Brothers of St. Sebastian. The Wolf Hounds. The Comrades of Peace. The Comrades Club. The Friends of Oppression. The Children of Moscow. The Red Standard Bearers. The Herrings. The Comrades of the Fallen—and half a dozen more.”
He handed it to her with a distinct twinkle in his eye.
“You give it to me,” said Bundle, “because you know it’s not going to be the slightest use to me. Do you want me to leave the whole thing alone?”
“I should prefer it,” said Battle. “You see—if you go messing round all these places—well, it’s going to give us a lot of trouble.”
“Looking after me, you mean?”
“Looking after you, Lady Eileen.”
Bundle had risen to her feet. Now she stood undecided. So far the honours lay with Superintendent Battle. Then she remembered one slight incident, and she based a last appeal upon it.
“I said just now that an amateur could do some things which a professional couldn’t. You didn’t contradict me. That’s because you’re an honest man, Superintendent Battle. You knew I was right.”
“Go on,” said Battle quickly.
“At Chimneys you let me help. Won’t you let me help now?”
Battle seemed to be turning the thing over in his mind. Emboldened by his silence, Bundle continued.
“You know pretty well what I’m like, Superintendent Battle. I butt into things. I’m a Nosy Parker. I don’t want to get in your way or to try and