Campion shrugged his shoulders.
‘I was not exactly pitched out,’ he admitted. ‘But the visit was not productive. I never met people who were so anxious not to talk to me.’
‘That was a change for you, wasn’t it?’ said Oates with relish. ‘If I may say so, it’s authority you lack, my lad.’
‘Which is why I’m here, of course,’ agreed Mr Campion cheerfully. ‘With my brains and your authority what could we two not accomplish? I don’t want to hurry you, Superintendent, but these offices in Hatton Garden sometimes shut. As it is, I very much doubt if you’ll get anyone to come down here.’
Oates took the hint.
‘I’ll ’phone them from the other room,’ he said, rising. ‘We’ll see what my not-so-celebrated charm will do.’
He returned in five minutes, grave but secretly pleased with himself.
‘Mr Ke
