Almost at once he approached one of the two doors and put his ear to the panel.

Running water.

The fool had time to take a bath! A plan flashed into his head.

Why not end the affair here and now, and reap the glory for himself?
What mattered the net if the fish swam into your hand?
Wasn't this particularly his affair?
It was the end, not the means.

A close touch in Hong-Kong, but the fool had slipped away.