He stood up, on
hearing Kerry's tread, peering out at the newcomer.
"The restaurant is closed, sir."
"Tell me a better one," rapped Kerry. "I want to go upstairs."
"Your card, sir."
Kerry revealed his teeth in a savage smile and tossed his card on to
the desk before the concierge. He passed on, mounting the stairs at
the end of the passage. Dimly a bell rang; and on the first landing
Kerry met a heavily built foreign gentleman, who bowed.
"My dear Chief Inspector," he said gutturally, "what is this, please?
I trust nothing is wrong, eh?"
"Nothing," replied Kerry. "I just want to look round."
"A few friends," explained the suave alien, rubbing his hands together
and still bowing, "remain playing dominoes with me."
"Very good," rapped Kerry. "Well, if you think we have given them time
to hide the 'wheel' we'll go in. Oh, don't explain. I'm not worrying
about sticklebacks tonight. I'm out for salmon."
He opened a door on the left of the landing and entered a large room
which offered evidence of having been hastily evacuated by a
considerable company. A red and white figured cloth of a type much
used in Continental cafes had been spread upon a long table, and three
foreigners, two men and an elderly woman, were bending over a row of
dominoes set upon one corner of the table.
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