Having thus considered our immediate movements, we emerged together from the wicket, and locking it behind us, walked quickly to the house-agents’, where an opportune office-boy received the keys without remark. As we came out of the office, I halted irresolutely and we both looked up and down the lane.

“There is no suspicious looking person in sight at present,” Thorndyke said, and then asked: “Which way do you think of going?”

“It seems to me,” I replied, “that my best plan would be to take a cab or an omnibus so as to get out of the neighbourhood as quickly as possible. If I go through Ravensden Street into Kennington Park Road, I can pick up an omnibus that will take me to the Mansion House, where I can change for Kensington. I shall go on the top so that I can keep a lookout for any other omnibus or cab that may be following.”

“Yes,” said Thorndyke, “that seems a good plan. I will walk with you and see that you get a fair start.”