He was frankly surprised to see his visitors. Mr. Kara was in his room he explained resentfully, as though T. X. should have been aware of the fact without being told. He had heard no bell ringing and indeed had not been summoned to the room.
“I have to see him at eleven o'clock,” he said, “and I have had standing instructions not to go to him unless I am sent for.”
T. X. led the way upstairs, and went straight to Kara's room. He knocked, but there was no reply. He knocked again and on this failing to evoke any response kicked heavily at the door.
“Have you a telephone downstairs!” he asked.
“Yes, sir,” replied Fisher.
T. X. turned to the detective-sergeant.
“'Phone to the Yard,” he said, “and get a man up with a bag of tools. We shall have to pick this lock and I haven't got my case with me.”
“Picking the lock would be no good, sir,” said Fisher, an interested spectator, “Mr. Kara's got the latch down.”
“I forgot that,” said T. X. “Tell him to bring his saw, we'll have to cut through the panel here.”
While they were waiting for the arrival of the police officer T. X. strove to attract the attention of the inmates of the room, but without success.