Lorry lifted the lid of the Hidden Compartment and found banknotes of various denominations, a bearer check from Backlund Bank, and a Gold and Gemstone Necklace inside.
The banknotes totaled a little over thirty pounds; the bearer check was for a hundred pounds. According to Exceptional Observation, the Gold and Gemstone Necklace was worth between ten and fifteen pounds.
About 150 pounds in total... not bad, considering this writer only became famous a little over two months ago... that works out to fifteen pounds a week, already more than an ordinary Nighthawk earned...
Lorry quickly calculated his haul, pocketed everything without hesitation, and left the study, returning to the terrace through the corridor.
He glanced at the street to make sure no one was passing, then turned back, lifted the terrace window, and slammed it down hard.
Clang!
The dull crash was especially jarring in the quiet night.
The corners of Lorry's mouth rose slightly, and he leaped into the shadows below.
Two minutes later.
From across the street, he saw a light come on in the second-floor study, followed by a cry so anguished it turned hoarse:
"No, this is impossible!"
Soon, a figure rushed onto the terrace and spotted the window with its obvious signs of forced entry.
With his exceptional eyesight, Lorry easily recognized Alyosha's face. He could even make out his savage expression of rage.
A few more minutes passed.
Two figures opened the door and hurried toward the nearest police station.
Lorry smiled breezily and followed the master and servant at a leisurely pace, watching them enter the Police Precinct.
Inside the interview room.
Three police officers in black-and-white uniforms, two men and a woman, sat on one side of the table.
The officer in the middle wore a chief inspector's insignia on his