Its air of smug respectability seemed to have vanished.

Even to the clerk's own disturbed imagination the establishment had suddenly grown raffish, and its dingy paint and drab upholstery resembled the make-up and cloak of a scowling tragedian.
A strong-armed workman came joyously.

He had already figured as a personage below stairs, because of his earlier experiences, and it was a cheering thing to be called on twice in one night to participate in a mystery which was undoubtedly connected with the murder in the street.
Before adopting more strenuous methods he inserted a piece of strong wire into the keyhole, thinking to pick the lock by that means; but he soon desisted.
"Some joker has been at that game before me," he announced.

"A chunk of wire has been forced in there after the door was locked." "From the outside ?" inquired Steingall.
"Yes, sir.

These locks work by a key only from without.