“But look here,” cried Colin, his heart thumping, “there’s no message written here! Have you lost—”
“The lady said she had nothing to write with, but she said you would surely understand and come quick.”
Colin drew a long breath. “Where is—the barred window?”
“Gimme the sovereign, please, and I’ll show you. It’s not far.”
“I’ll give you five sovereigns when you’ve shown me!” said Colin. “Tell the man where to go and get inside.”
He had not forgotten about West, and Risk was still in his mind, but they suddenly ceased to matter.
“How far?” he inquired, as the cab started.
“About ten minutes from here.”
“What sort of place is it?”
“Respectable—oh, quite respectable, but not the sort of place a gentleman like you would fancy to live in, sir. First time I was ever there, too. Just taking a stroll, wondering where I was going to get my next meal, when I heard a female cry from an area, and looking down I saw a hand moving at a window, a few inches open, behind bars—”