He was beaten.
But that was no time for philosophic reflection; already those outside were beating at the door.

He flung it open, and the foremost men started in surprise at the sight of him.

But Bryce bent forward to Mitchington--anxious to play a part to the last.
"He's upstairs!" he whispered.

"Up there! He'll bluff it out if he can, but he's just admitted to me--" Mitchington thrust Bryce aside, almost roughly.
"We know all about that!" he said.

"I shall have a word or two for you later! Come on, now--" The men crowded up the stairway into Folliot's snuggery, Bryce, wondering at the inspector's words and manner, following closely behind him and the detective and Glassdale, who led the way.