'Any news from Harry?' he asked as Cherry came majestically towards him.
'He telephoned about half an hour ago, sir,' Cherry said, coming to rest by the side of the car. 'He wishes you to go to Athens Street which he tells me is the second turning on the left off Old Compton Street. He said the matter was urgent.'
'Thanks,' Don said and making a U-turn he sent the Bentley shooting down the dark, deserted mews.
Athens Street turned out to be a narrow cul-de-sac , dimly lit by one street lamp.
Keeping in the shadows, Don walked quickly down the wet pavement until he was within a few yards of the high brick wall that cut the cul-de-sac off from Dean Street.
He spotted Harry standing in the dark shadows of an archway and he moved into the darkness and joined him.
'Phew! I'm glad to see you, sir,' Harry said feelingly. 'I've been trying to get you for the past hour. I kept popping over to the phone box, but I couldn't get Mr Ferenci's number.'
'What's going on here?' Don asked.
'I spotted a bloke coming from Mr Ferenci's house and I followed him. He's holed up in that house across the way.'
Don moved to the entrance of the archway.
'Which house?'
'The one by the wall, sir.'
Don studied the three-storeyed building. It was in darkness. He could see there were two windows to each floor and the front door was set back in an archway similar to the one in which he was sheltering.
'Any other way out, Harry?'
'No, sir. I checked that.'
'So he's still in there?'
'He's in there all right. About five minutes ago a woman came along and went in. She was wearing a white mackintosh and slacks. It was too dark to see what she looked like.'
'What's he like, Harry?'
'Tall and thin, dark, hooked nose, flashily dressed.'
The District Messenger had said his attacker had been tall and thin. This sounded like the man all right.
'When did you first spot him, Harry?'
'About a quarter of an hour after the messenger boy had left the house. He came from the back of the house, crossed the garden, vaulted over the wall and bolted down the street to an old Buick that was parked under the trees. I went after him and managed to get in the boot. He drove fast, and it wasn't much of a joy ride for me. He parked the car in a bomb site in Old Compton Street and came here. I had a lot of trouble following him. He seemed jumpy, and kept checking to see if anyone was following him, but he didn't spot me. I'm sure of that. He let himself into the house with a key, and that's the last I've seen of him. The woman knocked when she arrived and he let her in.'
'Good show, Harry. I'm going over there to have a look around.
You stay here and keep your eyes open. If I run into trouble, you know what to do. This fellow's dangerous. He killed Ferenci, so don't be fussy the way you handle him if you have to handle him.'
'You mean Mr Ferenci's dead?' Harry asked, shocked.
'Yes. I'll tell you about it later. Just keep your ears and eyes open.'
'Wouldn't it be better if I went instead of you, sir?' Harry said, trying to sound casual. 'No point in dirtying up your suit climbing in and out of windows.'
'Do what you're told,' Don said curtly. 'Watch out. If he makes a bolt for it, stop him.'
'Right-ho, sir,' Harry said. 'The easiest way in is through that window by the wall. The door's got a bolt on it. I've tried it. I'll give you a leg up. Get up on the roof and it'll be a piece of cake2 to get in through the window.'
They moved over to the wall. Harry locked his fingers and Micklem put his foot in the cradle thus formed. With a slight heave, he was within reach of the top of the wall. He caught hold of it, and another heave from Harry swung him onto the wall.
Harry waved to him and went back to the shelter of the archway.
Crouching, Don walked up the sloping roof. Just above him was an unlighted window. He peered through the glass into the darkness beyond and could just make out a dim, empty room. The window catch was back. He took out his pocket knife and gently levered up the window. Then he swung himself into the room, lowered the window and crossed to the door.
For a moment or so he stood listening, his ear pressed against the panel of the door, then hearing nothing, he turned the handle and pulled the door open.
He looked into a passage, dimly lit by a light coming from the hall. He moved out of the room, closing the door after him. Then he walked silently to the head of the staircase and again paused to listen.
From the room below he heard a man say, 'It was easy. He came to the window and I nailed him.'
Moving like a shadow, Don started down the stairs.
'Then he's dead?' a woman's voice said.
