He had made a careful study of the geography of the neighborhood, and although the fog was still dense enough to be confusing, he found his way without much difficulty to the street for which he was bound. Some fifteen paces along the narrow thoroughfare he came upon someone standing by a closed door set in a high brick wall. The street contained no dwelling houses, and except for the solitary figure by the door was deserted and silent. Kerry took out his torch and shone a white ring upon the smiling countenance of Detective-Sergeant Coombes.
“If that smile gets any worse,” he said irritably, “they’ll have to move your ears back. Anything to report?”
“Sin Sin Wa went to bed an hour ago.”
“Any visitors?”
“No.”
“Has he been out?”
“No.”
“Got the ladder?”
“Yes.”
“All quiet in the neighborhood?”