At length he
stepped down, and, having carefully looked over the near-side footboard,
announced that he had finished for the present.
As we were returning down the line, we passed a working man, who seemed
to be viewing the chairs and sleepers with more than casual interest.
"That, I suppose, is one of the plate-layers?" Thorndyke suggested to
the station-master.
"Yes, the foreman of the gang," was the reply.
"I'll just step back and have a word with him, if you will walk on
slowly." And my colleague turned back briskly and overtook the man, with
whom he remained in conversation for some minutes.
"I think I see the police inspector on the platform," remarked
Thorndyke, as we approached the station.
"Yes, there he is," said our guide. "Come down to see what you are
after, sir, I expect." Which was doubtless the case, although the
officer professed to be there by the merest chance.
"You would like to see the weapon, sir, I suppose?" he remarked, when he
had introduced himself.
"The umbrella-spike," Thorndyke corrected. "Yes, if I may. We are going
to the mortuary now."
"Then you'll pass the station on the way; so, if you care to look in, I
will walk up with you.
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