"Of course, he thinks there's nobody here at all," thought Fatty. "So it doesn't matter what noises he makes. I want to cough, myself—but I daren't, because Goon would be very suspicious at once. What a shock it would give him, to hear one of the waxworks cough.
I wonder if he'd get scared and go flying out of the hall at once! No, I don't think he would!"
Mr. Goon shuffled his feet a little and sniffed. Then he got out his handkerchief and blew his nose.
Fatty immediately wanted to blow his too! It was most irritating wanting to sniff and cough and blow his nose when he dared not make a single movement. Spoiling everything! Enjoying himself sniffing and coughing. Waiting for his Big Moment—and thinking of Promotion!
There came the sound of voices outside. Then a key was put into the door, and it opened. "Ho!" thought Fatty, "Mr. Goon had a duplicate key, had he? He made his plans well. Locked the door after him, too, so that the men shouldn't get suspicious, as they would have if the door had been unlocked!"
Four men came in. Fatty strained his eyes to try and see what their faces were like. But one and all wore soft hats pulled well down over their foreheads. They did not light a lamp, nor did they even use torches. The faint light from the Fair lamp outside seemed to be enough for them.
They got chairs and sat down. They waited for a while, saying nothing. Fatty wondered why. Then he knew.
"Where's Number Three?" said one of the men impatiently. "He ought to be here. Didn't you warn him, Number Five?"
"Yes, I sent him a message," said another man. "In a cigarette I gave to old Johnny. He'll turn up soon."
They waited in silence again. One of the men pulled out a watch and looked at it.