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Force’ nor anywhere else is it wise for the ambitious to get a reputation for being ‘difficult’.
    So Bobby was not only a little bored, but also a little depressed, as he sheltered outside ‘The Cedars’, and waited for the sergeant who did not come. Indeed, no living creature was in sight till down the drive from the house pattered an elderly man whose air of bland dignity, of grave responsibility, stamped him instantly as either a bishop or a butler, the lack of gaiters on his nether limbs however tipping the scales of probability in favour of the second alternative.
    He had on a mackintosh, carried an umbrella, and was evidently on his way to the post, for he carried two or three letters in his hand. Seeing Bobby, he stopped and commented gravely on the deplorable weather. Constables on duty are warned against entering into conversation with strangers, but also it is prudent for them to be acquainted as far as possible with the domestic staffs of the neighbourhood. For it is surprising how many interesting and occasionally curious events the apparently humdrum lives of butler and maid are brought into contact with.
    So Bobby responded genially, learnt that the stranger was butler at ‘The Cedars’ and was named Lewis, and that he was on the way to post these letters himself, because ‘one of them was of some importance, being no other than Mr Lewis’s instructions to his turf agent with regard to backing a certain double at the race meeting beginning the next day. Being informed what this double was, Bobby gave it as his considered opinion that the choice was a good one and might well come off.
    For Bobby was an expert on the form of race-horses, that is to say, he read every day the pronouncements, equally authoritative and contradictory, of Captain Go, Major Know, and ‘The Spotter’, and, having done so, selected when possible a horse none of the three had mentioned. In this way he had brought off some remarkable coups, and had the reputation of knowing a lot, so much so, indeed, that even an inspector had been known to ask him for a tip. Not that Bobby took any real interest in racing, but in police work it is sometimes necessary to open conversations with strangers or to win the confidence of reluctant witnesses, and for both purposes a brief discussion on the prospects of tomorrow’s three-thirty is the best possible introduction. Indeed it is quite certain that any observation on this subject is more likely to draw a prompt and instructed reply from any Englishman anywhere than is any other imaginable remark.
    That his approval of the proposed double was based upon solid knowledge Bobby was thus able to demonstrate, and, much cheered, Mr Lewis trotted off to drop his letters into the pillar-box across the way. Coming back, he stopped again to speak to Bobby.
    * You haven’t noticed a little old chap, thin face, long nose, grey whiskers, rather shabby, boots down at heels, hanging about here, have you?’ he asked. ‘If you do, you might keep an eye on him.’
    â€˜Right,’ said Bobby. ‘What’s the trouble?’
    â€˜Been talking a bit wild,’ explained Lewis, ‘not using threats exactly but talking as if he meant to. Sir Christopher told me if he come again to make sure I saw him off the premises, but what’s the good of that? Nothing to stop him coming back.’
    â€˜Sir Christopher your guv’nor?’ asked Bobby.
    â€˜Yes,’ answered Lewis, ‘big City man – it’s him as nearly owns United Firms and he’s chairman of the City and Suburbs bank, too.’
    â€˜I’ve heard of him,’ said Bobby. ‘Made a speech about getting back to gold the other day, didn’t he? Said gold was gold and when you had gold, why, then you had it. Made a big impression in the City, the papers said. What’s the trouble with the grey-whiskered bird?’
    â€˜Expect,’ said Lewis with