They walked down the room to a table near the
counter, ordered coffee and lighted cigarettes--and the two young
Scotsmen, watching them closely, saw that they took a careful look round
as if to ascertain the strength of their forces. And suddenly, as
Lauriston was eating his second sandwich, the Inspector rose, quietly
walked to the counter and bending over it, spoke to one of the white-
aproned men behind.
"The game's begun!" whispered Lauriston. "Look!"
But Purdie's eyes were already fixed on the Pilmanseys, whom he recognized
as important actors in the drama about to be played. One of them slightly
taller, slightly greyer than the other, was leaning forward to the
Inspector, and was evidently amazed at what was being said to him, for he
started, glanced questioningly at his visitor, exchanged a hurried word or
two with him and then turned to his brother. A second later, both men laid
down their great knives and forks, left their counter, and beckoned the
Inspector to follow them into a room at the rear of the shop. And the
Inspector in his turn, beckoned Ayscough with a mere glance, and Ayscough
in his, made an inviting movement to the rest of the party.
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