The chain of the padlock hung loosely; and in a second Smith was up,
with his foot in this as in a stirrup. He threw his arm over the top
and drew himself upright. A second later he was astride the broken
gate.

"Up you come, Petrie!" he said, and reached down his hand to aid me.

I got my foot into the loop of chain, grasped at a projection in the
gatepost and found myself up.

"There is a crossbar on this side to stand on," said Smith.

He climbed over and vanished in the darkness. I
was still astride the broken gate when the car turned the corner,
slowly, for there was scanty room; but I was standing upon the bar on
the inside and had my head below the gap ere the driver could possibly
have seen me.

"Stay where you are until he passes," hissed my companion, below.
"There is a row of kegs under you."

The sound of the motor passing outside grew loud--louder--then began
to die away. I felt about with my left foot; discerned the top of a
keg, and dropped, panting, beside Smith.

"Phew!" I said--"that was a close thing! Smith--how do we know--"

"That we have followed the right car?" he interrupted. "Ask yourself
the question: what would any ordinary man be doing motoring in a place
like this at two o'clock in the morning?"