The two held their breath while the man came down the stairs. Jaikie, sensitive as a wild animal, realised that his guess had been right—the man was feeling his way by the outer wall. Newsom’s shoulder was touching his, and he felt it shiver. Another thing he realised—the stranger was in a hurry. That was to the good, for he would not be so likely to get any subconscious warning of their presence.
For one second the man was abreast of them. There was a waft of some coarse scent, as if he were a vulgar dandy. Then he was past them, and they heard him at the foot of the stairs groping for the passage.
Jaikie sat down on a step to let his stifled breath grow normal. But Newsom was whispering something in his ear.
“I heard their talk,” he gasped. “I’ve got their plan. . . . They are going t
