"I take it there is no doubt the Polar bear is a wild and savage animal?"
"None at all, sir," said the attendant, touching his cap to my companion. "Polaris — that's the dead beast, sir, was particularly vicious. Took three shots to kill him."
"Indeed."
Solar Pons glanced around him.
"Well, Superintendent, I think we have done enough here. I suggest a short visit to the Lion House before we return to Sir Clive."
He glanced at his watch.
"I think that is all we can hope to do tonight. It will be midnight before we conclude in any event."
Heathfield led the way through the thin mist to where the police car was parked.
"I got Sir Clive's permission. I think it will save time if we go by car and prove less fatiguing. The Zoo grounds are so extensive."
"Admirable, Superintendent. You appear to have thought of everything."
Heathfield smiled thinly and took his place next to the driver while Pons and I and the keeper travelled in the back. After a short interval spent nosing through the mist along the broad asphalt walks between the animal cages, we drew up before the massive entrance of the Victorian Lion House. Lights shone from within the building and there came a low, keening roar that was unmistakable.
We waited while the keeper unlocked the big double doors and followed him into the cavernous interior. A strong odour of the big cats came out to us, bitter and pungent. Dim forms moved behind the bars of the cages set at the left-hand side of the long house and the few overhead lights switched on at this time of night cast deep pools of shadow.
There were stone steps to the right, with wooden benches set on the flat space at the top and a burly figure in dark uniform was waiting there. He rose as we entered and hurried down the steps toward us. He touched his cap to Superintendent Heathfield whom he had apparently met before.
"Mr Stebbins told me I was to look out for you, Superintendent. Any way in which I can help.."
"Thank you," said Heathfield crisply. "We may need you shortly. For the moment we will just look about."
The burly man saluted again and went back to the bench with his colleague and their gloomy conversation came down to us from time to time as we walked on in front of the great beasts. Pons himself reminded me of nothing so much as the inmates of the cages as he prowled restlessly about, darting sharp glances here and there.
"Which is the cage from which Sheba escaped, Superintendent?"
"This one here, Mr Pons."
Heathfield had stopped before a large enclosure set about halfway down the spacious house, in which a magnificent tigress paced majestically up and down, every now and then giving vent to a low, rumbling growl. Solar Pons paused and gazed thoughtfully into the great beast's glowing yellow eyes.
"A magnificent sight, Heathfield. I know of nothing so impressive. Intelligence, strength and courage. A formidable combination."
"Indeed, Mr Pons. So you can imagine the degree of determination on Stebbins' part in acting as he did in preventing the beast from escaping."
"The point had not eluded me, Superintendent. I must examine the main door before I leave. In the meantime, with your permission, I will just have a look at this cage here."
To my alarm he eased his lithe, angular form over the low metal barrier to prevent the public from approaching too close to the cages and bent down in the narrow gangway inside. The tigress immediately stopped her pacing and then flung herself against the bars of the cage in an absolute paroxysm of fury. The sight was so stupendous in its savagery and the noise so deafening that even Pons was momentarily diverted from his purpose.
"What an incredible beast, Pons."
"Is she not, Parker."
'Take care, Pons."
"I shall certainly do that, Parker."
The animal was silent again now and resumed her tireless pacing, though every now and then she cast a sullen glare on my companion from her smouldering yellow eyes. The two keepers had come forward from the terrace at the back and now stood by silently, the burly man fingering a long metal pole.
"I do not think that will be necessary," said Solar Pons with a thin smile.
He bent forward to look at the cage, which had a sliding door, the bar of which was secured by a strong padlock.
"Has this been changed, do you know, Superintendent?"
Heathfield shook his head.
"Not to my knowledge, Mr Pons. It had been opened with a key, according to our experts and the retaining bar slid back."
"A risky business," said Solar Pons drily, turning his gaze up toward the ceiling.
"Hullo!"
There was a sharp urgency in his voice.
"What is it, Mr Pons?"
"Look there."
We all followed Solar Pons' pointing finger. At first I could not make it out and then saw a small piece of frayed twine which was fastened to the bars of the sliding door near the top.
"Just a piece of string, Pons."
"Is it not, Parker! But a simple ruse which ensured the survival of this Phantom you talk about. Unless I mistake my vocation he simply attached a cord and slid the door open from the safety of that door yonder."
He turned to the keepers.
"What is in there?"
"Feed-store and staff locker-room, sir."
"Hmm."
Solar Pons climbed back over the barrier and re-joined us, his eyes sharp and intent, oblivious of the caged forms of the lions and tigers which circled aimlessly in the background.
"The twine may have been broken by the tigress when she jumped to the ground. Perhaps by a hind leg. Or our man may simply have snapped it with a strong tug. How would he have got out?"
"There is another door to the outside beyond the locker-room, Mr Pons," said the burly keeper, looking at my companion curiously.
"What is your name?"
"Hodgson, sir."
"Very well, Hodgson, just lead on, will you?"
The thickset keeper walked briskly up to the far door and beckoned us through into a chill, high, bleak room which seemed cold despite the bales or straw in the corner. There was a heavy wooden block with a cleaver and saw; the remains of a carcase on it; and some metal bins for foodstuffs.
"This is where you prepare the food for the animals?" said Pons, glancing round him keenly.
"Exactly, sir."
The Lion House was well-heated and I suppose it was the contrast between it and this chill place which made me glad to quit it as Hodgson opened another door at the rear. This led to a small, cheerful room equipped with a gas fire; some tables and chairs; a stove; and a section in the corner where there were rows of green-painted lockers.
"This is our recreation room, sir. Cosy enough," said our informant with a sniff, looking about him. We all stood silent for a bit as Solar Pons paced round the room, his sharp glance appearing to miss nothing.
He stopped before the lockers with a grunt and produced his powerful pocket magnifying lens.
"Which of these is Hardcastle's?"
"Number Four, sir," said Hodgson, with a puzzled look on his face.
"It is unlocked?"
"Certainly, sir. None of them lock."
"I just wondered," said Solar Pons blandly. "As I see this one in the corner has a length of wire twisted through the hasp."
"That's mine, sir," replied Hodgson, a flush appearing on his features. "I am in charge here you see, sir."
"And you prefer a little privacy. Of course, Hodgson. I am not implying any criticism. All the same I would like each of the lockers opened."
Hodgson glanced at Superintendent Heathfield for a moment and then went forward with ill grace, untwisting the strands of wire. In the meantime Pons had opened Hardcastle's locker and was busy with its contents.
"Where is the material you removed from here, Superintendent?"
"It has been sealed in Sir Clive's office, Mr Pons." Pons nodded.