detective

Ferrier had just heard enough from the detective at the station to be able to give an idea of what had happened, and his story did not mend matters.

“I’d be very glad of a hint or two,” said the detective, changing his manner.

A tall, thin man with coloured glasses, whom I strongly suspected of being a plain-clothes detective, was pointing out some theory of his own, while the others crowded round to listen to what he said.

There was the clatter of running feet upon the pavement, and two policemen in uniform, with one plain-clothes detective, rushed through the front entrance and into the room.