CHAPTER XIV
SIR ARCHIBALD ROYLANCE PUTS HIS FOOT IN IT
Three minutes later I was back in the curiosity shop. I switched off my light, and very gently opened the street door. There was a sound of footsteps on the pavement, so I drew back till they had passed. Then I emerged into the quiet street, with Abel’s little brazier glowing in front of me, and Abel’s little sharp face poked out of his pent-house.
“All right, sir?” he asked cheerfully.
“All right,” I said. “I have found what I wanted.”
“There was a party turned up not long after you had gone in. Lucky I had locked the door after you. He wasn’t inside more than five minutes. A party with a black topcoat turned up at the collar--respectable party he looked--oldish--might have been a curate. Funny thing, sir, but I guessed correctly
