"William Barker?"
"Yes. I believe he moved here yesterday."
"Oh, that feller!" The woman started inside. "Wait a minute," she said crossly, and shut the door in their faces.
While they stood waiting, Leverage glanced keenly up and down the street, and his eye lighted on the muscular figure of Cartwright, the plainclothes man, shivering in the partial shelter of an alley across the way. The policeman signaled them that all was well, and resumed his vigil. At that minute the door opened and the woman reappeared.
"He ain't home!" she said, and promptly closed the door again.
Carroll looked at Leverage and Leverage looked at Carroll. Leverage crossed the street and interrogated Cartwright.
"The landlady says he's out, Cartwright. How about it?"
"Bum steer, chief! The bird's there—I'll bet my silk shirt on it!"
Leverage recrossed the street and reported to Carroll.
"You're pretty sure Cartwright has the straight dope!"