How long ago was it that Mercer had seen Kedsty?
What was the order that the Inspector had written on a sheet of paper for Constable Pelly?
Was it simply that he should be more closely watched, or was it a command to move him to one of the cells close to the detachment office?
If it was the latter, all his hopes and plans were destroyed.

His mind flew to those cells.
The Landing had no jail, not even a guard-house, though the members of the force sometimes spoke of the cells just behind Inspector Kedsty's office by that name.

The cells were of cement, and Kent himself had helped to plan them! The irony of the thing did not strike him just then.

He was recalling the fact that no prisoner had ever escaped from those cement cells.

If no action were taken before six o'clock, he was sure that it would be postponed until the following morning.