He had found this note accidentally in an alley in the northwest section of the city; his being there need require no special explanation; he did not understand its meaning, but it was quite evidently a police matter, and consequently he placed it in their hands.

That all sounded natural enough.

Besides at this hour of the night there was no other place to which he could go for information.
He looked at Sexton, who was sleeping soundly, and decided not to awaken the man.

He had no use for his services just now; the City Hall was only a few blocks away, and he might not be out more than an hour himself.

He would leave a note so that if by any chance he should be delayed, Sexton would understand what had occurred.