And the lump of sugar was in itself reassuring, for it certainly would not have been used in conjunction with any less conspicuous but more incriminating form of poison.

That lump of sugar was now in my pocket, reserved for careful examination at my leisure; and I reflected with a faint grin that it would be a little disconcerting if it should turn out to contain nothing but sugar after all.
On leaving the tea-shop, I walked up Sloane Street with the intention of doing what I ought to have done earlier in the day.

I was going to make perfectly sure that no spy was dogging my footsteps.

But for my ridiculous confidence I could have done so quite easily before going to Endsley Gardens; and now, made wiser by a startling experience, I proceeded with systematic care.

It was still broad daylight--for the lamps in the tea-shop had been rendered necessary only by the faulty construction of the premises and the dullness of the afternoon--and in an open space I could see far enough for complete safety.