He turned into Cardigan Street with the air of a man who is putting his neck in the noose, resolving secretly to cut and run at the least hint of danger.
As he walked slowly up the street he became aware of a commotion at the corner of George Street.

He saw that a crowd had gathered, and quickened his pace, for a crowd in Cardigan Street generally meant a fight.

Jonah elbowed his way through the ring, and found a young policeman, new to this beat, struggling with an undersized man with the face of a ferret.

Jonah's first thought was to effect a rescue, as his practised eye took in the details of the scene.

Let them get away from the light of the street lamp, and with a sudden rush the thing would be done.