A huge roll-top desk was in evidence, and three common chairs—nothing more.
The roll-top of the desk was pushed half up.
Patsy pushed it all the way and looked into the pigeon-holes.
They were empty.
He opened the drawers.
They were empty, too.
“It looks as though this might be moving day,” thought the detective, thinking of the van he had seen out in front. “Gee, but that’s a regular granddaddy desk. They never got it in through the hall door, and I’ll bet on it.”
While he stood there, taking in the situation, his quick ear caught the sound of footsteps on the stairs.
The Westerners were coming back.
The detective looked around for a place to conceal himself.