“Well, what are your conditions?” demanded Badger impatiently.

“I desire to make a statement,” said Mr. Jellicoe.

“You can do that, but I must caution you that anything you say may be used in evidence against you.”

“Naturally.  But I wish to make the statement in the presence of Doctor Thorndyke, and I desire to hear a statement from him of the method of investigation by which he discovered the whereabouts of the body.  That is to say, if he is willing.”

“If you mean that we should mutually enlighten one another, I am very willing indeed,” said Thorndyke.

“Very well.  Then my conditions, Inspector, are that I shall hear Doctor Thorndyke’s statement and that I shall be permitted to make a statement myself, and that until those statements are completed, with any necessary interrogation and discussion, I shall remain at liberty and shall suffer no molestation or interference of any kind.  And I agree that, on the conclusion of the said proceedings, I will submit without resistance to any course that you may adopt.”

“I can’t agree to that,” said Badger.

“Can’t you?” said Mr. Jellicoe coldly; and, after a pause, he added:  “Don’t be hasty.  I have given you full warning.”

There was something in Mr. Jellicoe’s passionless tone that disturbed the inspector exceedingly, for he turned to Thorndyke and said in a low tone: 

“I wonder what his game is?  He can’t get away, you know.”

“There are several possibilities,” said Thorndyke.

“M’yes,” said Badger, stroking his chin perplexedly.

“After all, is there any objection?  His statement might save trouble, and you’d be on the safe side.  It would take you some time to break in.”

“Well,” said Mr. Jellicoe, with his hand on the window, “do you agree—­yes or no?”

“All right,” said Badger sulkily.  “I agree.”

“You promise not to molest me in any way until I have quite finished?”

“I promise.”

Mr. Jellicoe’s head disappeared and the window closed.  After a short interval we heard the jar of massive bolts and the clank of a chain, and, as the heavy door swung open, Mr. Jellicoe stood revealed, calm and impassive, with an old-fashioned office candlestick in his hand.

“Who are the others?” he inquired, peering out sharply through his spectacles.

“O, they are nothing to do with me,” replied Badger.

“They are Doctor Berkeley and Doctor Jervis,” said Thorndyke.

“Ha!” said Mr. Jellicoe; “very kind and attentive of them to call.  Pray come in, gentlemen.  I am sure you will be interested to hear our little discussion.”

He held the door open with a certain stiff courtesy, and we all entered the hall led by Inspector Badger.  He closed the door softly and preceded us up the stairs and into the apartment from the window of which he had dictated the terms of surrender.  It was a fine old room, spacious, lofty, and dignified, with panelled walls and a carved mantelpiece, the central escutcheon of which bore the initials “J.W.P.” with the date “1671.”  A large writing-table stood at the farther end, and behind it an iron safe.