He walked from the police station a little pleased with himself. It was the first time he had permitted himself to relax for many long hours, and calm consideration told him that he had done well. The thing was nearly over. To scour out any of Larry’s associates who had so far escaped would call for nothing more formidable than ordinary routine and detail work, now that the mastermind was a fugitive who would of a certainty be caught at any minute. It was a pity about Larry but still⁠—

He raised the knocker at the door of his lodgings. His matronly landlady received him with warmth.

“Glad to see you back, sir. There have been all sorts of funny stories round the town of things that have been happening. Don’t know how you came to miss Miss Noelson. She⁠—”

Labar was wiping his boots on the map. “She’s out, is she? Where has she gone?”

The landlady’s face dropped. “Why, she went to meet you. Didn’t you send her a note to meet you at the railway station?”