Durham darted round the corner and waited until he heard the door
closed; then, returning, he scrambled up on to the roof, creeping
forward until he was lying looking down through the skylight into
the darkened room below.
For ten minutes or more he waited, until he began to feel cramped
and uncomfortable. Then that happened which he had hoped and
anticipated would happen. The place beneath became illuminated,
not fully, by means of the hanging lamps, but dimly so that
distorted shadows were cast about the floor. Someone had entered
carrying a lantern.
Durham's view-point limited his area of vision, but presently, as
the light came nearer and nearer, he discerned Ah Fu, carrying a
lantern in one hand and a birdcage in the other. He could hear
nothing, for the trap fitted well and the glass was thick.
Moreover, it was very dirty. He was afraid, however, to attempt
to clean a space.
Ah Fu apparently had set the lantern upon a table, and into the
radius of its light there presently moved a stooping figure.
Durham recognized Huang Chow, and felt his heart beats increasing
in rapidity.
Clutching the framework of the trap with his hands, he moved his
head cautiously, so that presently he was enabled to see the two
Chinamen.
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