Simmons could hear his step on the stairs.

Then Simmons sat down again, drew a big red bandanna handkerchief from a hip pocket and wiped some big beads of perspiration from his forehead.

He was breathing fast, and his face was mottled with purple spots.

He got up, ran to a side window, and watched Lawler until the latter vanished behind a building opposite Gary Warden's office.
Again Simmons mopped his brow.

And now he drew a breath of relief.
"Whew!" he said, aloud; "I'm glad that's over.