“The key to the houter lock, sir, is hinside!”
“It is!” snapped Drew, pressing against the panel as he listened close up to the chamfering. “It is, eh? That’s funny.”
“’E put hit there, sir. The master did, sir!”
Drew did not dwell further on this. He stared at Delaney, with unseeing eyes. He bent and listened for a second time. He stiffened suddenly. He jerked back.
“Listen,” he whispered tersely. “Everybody listen. What’s that noise inside? Hear it? Hear it, Delaney?”
The operative dropped to his knees and pressed his ear to a faint line of light below the door. He rose, dusting his knees. He swore audibly.
“What is it?” asked Drew.
“Sounds like the crow, Chief.”
“Stockbridge’s magpie?”
“Something like that.”