He has little time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street.
Tiene poco tiempo, porque ha oído el alboroto al pie de la escalera, cuando la esposa intenta subir, y puede que su compinche el marinero le haya avisado ya de que la policía viene corriendo calle arriba.