George walked down Sackville Street, along Vigo Street into Bond Street. He turned and retraced his steps. He had been doing this for over half an hour when he suddenly saw Cora. She was walking just ahead of a tall, well-dressed man in his middle fifties. She was loitering, a contemptuous expression on her hard little face.
George stepped into a shop doorway where he could watch, without being seen.
The well-dressed man overtook Cora, glanced at her and went on. She did not increase her pace, but kept on, swinging her hips, her head in the air.
The mail walked as far as the street corner, and then stopped. He looked round furtively, noted that Cora was still coming towards him, and then looked tip and down, as if to assure himself that no one was watching him.
Cora came on. She looked at him enquiringly as she paused before crossing the street.
The man raised his hat and said something. Cora smiled. She waved her hand towards Old Burlington Street. From the doorway, George could see the man eyeing her figure. He said something, and then looked away.
Cora turned and began to walk casually towards Old Burlington Street, her hands in her pockets, her hips swinging. After giving her a start, the man followed her.
George came out of the doorway and followed them. They entered a tall building half way down the street, and when he was sure that they were safely out of the way he went up to the front door. There were three hell-pushes on the door. One of them had a little card: “Miss Nichols".
George stood looking at the card for several minutes, then he crossed the street and waited. He waited until the well-dressed man had left the building, and then he approached the place himself. As he was crossing the street again, he saw a man coming towards him. He thought it looked like Little Ernie, and he darted into a doorway, his hand flying to his gun.
It was Little Ernie.