Kerry turned his attention to the fastening of the window. A glance
showed him that it was unlocked. Resting the torch on the leads, he
grasped the sash and gently raised the window, noting that it opened
almost noiselessly. Then, taking up the torch again, he stooped and
stepped in on to the table below.
It moved slightly beneath his weight. One of the legs was shorter than
its fellows. But he reached the floor as quietly as possible, and
instantly snapped off the light of the torch.
A heavy step sounded from outside--someone was mounting the stairs--
and a disk of light suddenly appeared upon the ground-glass panel of
the door.
Kerry stood quite still, chewing steadily.
"Who's there?" came the voice of the constable posted on Kazmah's
landing.
The inspector made no reply.
"Is there anyone here?" cried the man.
The disk of light disappeared, and the alert constable could be heard
moving along the corridor to inspect the other offices. But the ray
had shone upon the frosted glass long enough to enable Kerry to read
the words painted there in square black letters. They had appeared
reversed, of course, and had read thus:
.OC ETTERAGIC SINABUC
CHAPTER XI
THE DRUG SYNDICATE
At six-thirty that morning Margaret Halley was aroused by her maid--
the latter but half awake--and sitting up in bed and switching on the
lamp, she looked at the card which the servant had brought to her, and
read the following:
CHIEF INSPECTOR KERRY,
C.
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