"Go ahead!" There was the sound of footsteps moving forward, then a vicious bump, the scraping of some object along the floor, and a muffled curse from Whitey Mack.
"Use your flashlight!" advised the inspector, in a guarded voice.
"I haven't got one, damn it!", growled Whitey Mack.

"It's all right.
I'll get along." Again the steps, but more warily now, as though the man were cautiously feeling ahead of him for possible obstacles.

Jimmie Dale for a moment held his breath.

He could have reached out and touched the man as the other passed.

Whitey Mack went on until he had taken up a position against the rear wall.