FACTS AND THEORIES“If you’re to make a success of the detective business,” said Cardwell, “you’ll have to acquire a little more self-control. A moderate show of surprise, indicated by a lifting of the eyebrows and an increasing attention to the story, is permissible. But downright dumbfounded flabbergastedness simply won’t do. It gives clients a bad impression.”
Allingham swallowed the rebuke with a gulp of whiskey, and took a long pull at his cigar.
“Are you quite sure of that last revelation?” he asked.
“Quite,” said Cardwell decidedly. “I called at Elthorne’s office this afternoon in the guise of a big business man, and spent an hour with him discussing a deal in steel joists. There’s no doubt he’s the man in the photograph.”
“Of course, mistakes do occur in war,” said Allingham. “M
