When the cupboard was empty he stepped into it and began to bang upon
the back. The savagery of his expression grew more marked than usual,
and as he chewed his maxillary muscles protruded extraordinarily.
"If ever I sounded a brick wall," he muttered, "I'm doing it now."
Tap where he would--and he tapped with his knuckles and with the bone
ferrule of his cane--there was nothing in the resulting sound to
suggest that that part of the wall behind the cupboard was less solid
than any other part.
He examined the room rapidly, then passed into another one adjoining
it, which was evidently used as a bedroom. The latter faced towards
the court and did not come in contact with the wall of the neighboring
house. In both rooms the windows were fastened, and judging from the
state of the fasteners were never opened. In that containing the
cupboard outside shutters were also closed. Despite this sealing-up of
the apartments, traces of fog hung in the air. Kerry descended the
stairs.
Snapping off the light of his torch, he stood, feet wide apart,
staring at Sin Sin Wa. The latter, smiling imperturbably, yellow hands
resting upon knees, sat quite still on the tea-chest. Constable Bryce
was seated on a corner of the table, looking curiously awkward in his
tweed overcoat and bowler hat, which garments quite failed to disguise
the policeman.
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