"How is Deacon making out?" he queried.
"Packing away," answered Ferret. "Butcher is down at the foot of the stairs by the morgue. He can hear any noise from above, and he's near enough to talk to Deacon."
"Have the drivers come?"
"No. They phoned. Told Deacon they'll be a little late."
"Did you tell Deacon we'd be there?"
"Yes. He said to be careful. As soon as the men show up, he's going to stow Butcher away. Then the drivers will carry up the caskets. Deacon is going along with them, to see that they deliver the coffins in good shape. We've got to watch out that we don't go blundering in there while the men are carrying out the coffins."
"That's right."
"So Deacon says that he told Butcher to come through and let us know as soon as he has started away with the drivers. We can either be here or in the passage. Then the three of us can slide away from the undertaking joint, one at a time."
Major nodded his approval. Deacon was taking care of arrangements at the other end.
This was all in accordance with schedule. Deacon and Major, when they worked together, formed tentative plans and made final decisions on the spur of the moment.