The day was Friday and the fish-stalls were doing a lively business. By the time I had threaded my way through innumerable sheds, I had got enough of this commodity into my nostrils to satisfy my appetite for a week. I was glad when I stepped out upon the wharf.
"Is it along there you want to go?" asked the officer under whose protection I moved.
I looked, and saw fluttering before me the calico curtain which had blown in and out of Yox's story.
"Yes, if it's where an old woman named Merry is to be found."
"I'll ask."
He approached a brother officer whose presence I had not noticed, spoke to him, and came back.
"That's the place," said he. "Do you want me to go in with you?"
"Not if it's safe."
"Oh, it's safe enough at this hour. You haven't any too much cash on you, I judge? Besides, I'll hang about the door, and if you don't come out in ten minutes I'll just inquire the reason why. You see, the place's on our books and we don't want to keep too open an eye on it."
I was glad to be allowed to go in alone. I had not dared to hope for this and felt correspondingly relieved.