There was a pause and then Felsen said: “I suppose if he’s caught he won’t be let out for a long while.”
“Our prison doors only open one way easily,” chuckled the other.
“Then I may as well look after myself, I suppose.”
“Yes. He’s evidently made a fool of you.”
“Well, it’s my turn now. Have a cigar?”
I heard matches struck and smelt my best cigars.
“We can wait downstairs as well as here,” said the police agent. “I’ll lock the doors this time to make sure.” He came into the bedroom, locked the door on the inside and then went back. The other door was then locked and the two men went downstairs.
Fortunately he had left the key in the bedroom door, and the instant the way was clear, I went out, crept along the corridor and down the back stairway to the door by which I had entered.
I gained the street safely and walked away toward the railway station, trusting to the gloom of the evening and my shaven face to save me from recognition.
By the action of the police and the fact that they were already on the look-out for me had crumpled up my plan. And there was still worse to come.