His dream of a steady income exploded as he watched Sergeant Donovan climb out of the car.
Of all the filthy luck! he thought bitterly. How could they have got on to this guy so fast? What a bit of luck that he had waited instead of tackling him at once. He would have been in plenty of trouble if Donovan had found him inside the bungalow.
He watched the two detectives walk up the path and ring on the bell. He saw the door open and the young fellow come out on the step. The three men stood talking for some minutes, then to Sweeting’s surprise, the two detectives turned abruptly away and walked back to their car.
What did it mean? he asked himself, peering around the edge of his newspaper. Why hadn’t they arrested him ?
He watched the police car disappear around the corner, and, getting to his feet, he picked up Leo and walked hurriedly to the corner of the street to make sure the police car had left the district.
He saw the car slow down and pull up outside a house, and the two detectives get out. He watched them speak to a fat, heavily built man who was in the garden.
After some minutes Donovan went on to the house while the fat man and the other detective remained in the garden.
All this intrigued Sweeting. He leaned against a tree, watching, but being careful to keep out of sight.
Some time passed, the Donovan came out and beckoned to the fat man. They all went into the house and shut the door.
Sweeting continued to wait. An hour dragged by, then the front door opened and the two detectives came out, walked down the path to their car and drove away.