"The best-laid schemes o' mice and men gang aft a-gley," and if, perchance, the jute merchant's plan, whatever it might be, miscarried, and some of the desperadoes escaped, they would be stirred to instant reprisals.
But there was no semblance of doubt or hesitation about the measures taken by the police.

That night, from eleven o'clock onward, not even a prowling cat entered Charlotte Street without being seen by sharp eyes.
Nearly opposite No.

412 was a large warehouse, with a back entrance a long way in the rear, and approached from another street.
At midnight three Chinamen appeared, turned into Charlotte Street from the south and shuffled on noiseless feet straight to No.414.

They knocked, and after some delay were admitted.

A minute later three others came from the north, knocked on the door of No.