There were half-finished houses, little piles of building materials, heaps of stones, a watchman's shed, and all the dreary paraphernalia of an abandoned building enterprise.

Quest wasted very little time before arriving at a decision.
"The discovery of the bone so near the Professor's house," he decided, "cannot be coincidence only.

We will waste no time out here, Lenora.

We will search the grounds.

Come on." They advanced towards the gate but found it locked.