“I guess we shall have to go away as wise as we came”, said Shearman, with a short, dry laugh. “The fellow’s fly, and it’s no use watching the dark shadows cast on yonder door.”
“I fancy not. I shall give it up for to-night; but I shall have him before many hours are over our heads.”
“I hope you may; but what are you going to do now?”
“Cut it. Are you ready?”
“I have been a long time ago.”
The two friends passed out of the club-room, and descended the stairs. The obsequious landlord came out of his bar-parlour.
“Are you off, sir?” said he.
“Yes,” returned Wrench. “It’s been a bit of a sell, but it don’t matter. The bird has flown.”
The landlord gave a mysterious nod, and the detectives took their departure.