8: Neat Stuff
IT WAS THREE O'CLOCK in the afternoon when Callaghan was shown into Vane's office. The lawyer looked at him over his pince-nez. He said, almost cheerfully:
'Good-afternoon, Mr. Callaghan.'
Callaghan said: 'Good-afternoon.'
He put his hat on the corner of the solicitor's desk, sat down, lit a cigarette. He felt a little sorry for Vane.
He said: 'Have you seen Manon?'
Vane said: 'Yes! She came in to see me this morning. She told me a rather extraordinary story. I gather she told it to you too?'
Callaghan said: 'Yes, she told me. It's not so good, is it?'
Vane said: 'I don't think I quite understand. What isn't so good?'
Callaghan said: 'Look, supposing you and I stop making circles round each other and get down to hard tacks? If the Insurance Company and Scotland Yard
