Don't play games, lady. This is for real. He took out a fresh cigar and bit off the end, You saw the papers. There's been plenty on radio, too.

Two high points of color appeared in the paleness of the Duchess of Croydon's cheeks. What you are suggesting is the most disgusting, ridiculous...

I told you-Cut it out! The words spat forth with sudden savagery,all pretense of blandnessgone. Ignoring the Duke, Ogilvie waved the unlighted cigar under his adversary 's adversary 's nose. You listen to me, your high-an'-mightiness. This city's burnin' mad-cops, mayor, everybody else. When they find who done that last night, who killed that kid an' its mother, then high-tailed it, they'll throw the book, and never mind who it hits, or whether they got fancy titles neither. Now I know what I know, and if I do what by rights I should, there'll be a squad of cops in here so fast you'll hardly see 'em. But I come to you first, in fairness, so's you could tell your side of it to me. The piggy eyes blinked, then hardened. 'f you want it the other way, just say so.

The Duchess of Croydon-three centuries and a half of inbred arrogancebehind her-did not yield easily. Springing to her feet, her face wrathful, gray-green eyes blazing, she faced the grossness of the house detective squarely. Her tone would have withered anyone who knew her well. You unspeakable blackguard!How dare you!