He looked at his watch.

"They won't be closed yet, thank heaven!" The taxi was held up at the juncture of the Embankment and Blackfriars Bridge, and was held up again for a different reason in Queen Victoria Street.

Suddenly there was a clang-clang of gongs, and all traffic drew to one side to allow the passage of a flying motor fire-engine.

Another and another followed in succession.
"A big fire," said Whiteside.

"Or it may be a little one, because they get very panicky in the City, and they'll put in a divisional call for a smoking chimney!" The cab moved on, and had crossed Cannon Street, when it was again held up by another roaring motor, this time bearing a fire escape.
"Let's get out of the cab; we'll walk," said Tarling.
They jumped out, and Whiteside paid the driver.
"This way," said Tarling.