He had no reason to hurry up.

On coming abreast of the shop he observed that it had been closed early.

There was nothing very unusual in that.

The men on duty had special instructions about that shop: what went on about there was not to be meddled with unless absolutely disorderly, but any observations made were to be reported.

There were no observations to make; but from a sense of duty and for the peace of his conscience, owing also to that doubtful flutter of the darkness, the constable crossed the road, and tried the door.