"And compasses won't work on this street."
The lieutenant lit a cigarette and sighed.
He usually sighed when making the decision to raid a dwelling. It expressed his weariness and distaste for people who went off and got neurotic when they could be enjoying a happy, normal existence. There was something implacable about his sighs.
"He'll be coming out soon," Lanfierre said. "He eats supper next door with a widow. Then he goes to the library. Always the same. Supper at the widow's next door and then the library."
MacBride's eyebrows went up a fraction of an inch. "The library?" he said. "Is he in with that bunch?"
Lanfierre nodded.
"Should be very interesting," MacBride said slowly.
"I can't wait to see what he's got in there," Lanfierre murmured, watching the house with a consuming interest.
They sat there smoking in silence and every now and then their eyes widened as the house danced a new step.