a few minutes
before 2 o'clock
You had better take it down . '' `` Oh , I 'll find the place all -- '' Then Thompson thought a moment and pulled himself together . `` Thanks , '' he said , carefully noting down the street and number . The detachment of police drew up in front of the place a few minutes before 2 o'clock . The streets were deserted , and so silent were the blue coats that the footsteps of a belated wayfarer sounded sharply in the night air from the stone pavement of a distant avenue . `` Are you sure , '' said McCrasky to the man in charge of the police , `` that there is not a private entrance somewhere ? '' `` Certainly there is , '' was the impatient reply : `` Sergeant McCollum and four men are stationed in the alley behind .