black silk face-coverings, which turned us into two most truculent figures in London, we stole silent, gloomy house sort of tiled veranda extended along one side of it, lined by several windows and two doors

"That's his bedroom," Holmes whispered "This door opens straight study It would suit us best, but bolted as locked, and make noise getting in Come round here There's greenhouse which opens drawing-room "

The place was locked, but Holmes removed circle of glass and turned the key inside An instant afterwards he had closed the door behind us, and we had become felons eyes law The thick, warm air conservatory rich, choking fragrance of exotic plants took us throat He seized my hand darkness and led me swiftly past banks of shrubs which brushed against our faces Holmes had remarkable powers, carefully cultivated, of seeing dark Still holding my hand in one he opened door, and vaguely conscious that we had entered large room cigar smoked not long before his way furniture, opened another door, and closed it behind us Putting out my hand several coats hanging wall, and I understood that in passage We passed along it, and Holmes very gently opened door right-hand side Something rushed out at us and my heart sprang into my mouth, but laughed when I realised the cat fire was burning new room, and again the air was heavy with tobacco smoke Holmes entered on tiptoe, waited , and then very gently closed the door We were in Milverton's study, and PORTIERE farther side showed the entrance bedroom

good fire, room was illuminated Near the door the gleam of an electric switch, but unnecessary, even safe, it on At one side fireplace was heavy curtain, which covered the bay window we had seen from outside other side door which communicated veranda desk stood centre, with turning chair of shining red leather Opposite was large bookcase, with marble bust of Athene top corner bookcase wall there stood tall green safe, the firelight flashing back polished brass knobs upon its face Holmes stole across and looked at it Then he crept door bedroom, and stood with slanting head listening intently No sound came from within Meanwhile it had struck me wise to secure our retreat outer door, so I examined it To my amazement neither locked nor bolted ! I touched Holmes arm, and he turned his masked face direction him start, and evidently as surprised as I

"I don't like it," he whispered, putting his lips to my very ear " 't quite make it out Anyhow, no time to lose "

"Can anything ? "

"Yes; stand door hear anyone come, bolt it inside, and get away came If the other way, get door if our job is done, or hide behind these window curtains if understand ? "

I nodded and stood door My first feeling of fear had passed away, and I thrilled now with keener zest than I had ever enjoyed when we were the defenders law instead defiers The high object mission, the consciousness unselfish and chivalrous, the villainous character opponent, all added sporting interest adventure Far from feeling guilty, I rejoiced and exulted dangers With glow of admiration I watched Holmes unrolling his case of instruments and choosing his tool calm, scientific accuracy of surgeon who performs delicate operation opening of safes was particular hobby , and I understood the joy which it gave him confronted green and gold monster, the dragon which held in its maw the reputations of many fair ladies Turning up the cuffs dress-coat -- he had placed his overcoat on chair -- Holmes laid out two drills, jemmy, and several skeleton keys I stood centre door with my eyes glancing at each others, ready for any emergency; though, indeed, my plans were somewhat vague what do were interrupted For half an hour Holmes worked with concentrated energy, laying down one tool, picking up another, handling each strength and delicacy trained mechanic Finally I heard click, the broad green door swung open, and inside I had glimpse of number of paper packets, each tied, sealed, and inscribed Holmes picked one out, but hard to read flickering fire, and he drew out his little dark lantern, for too dangerous, with Milverton next room, to switch electric light Suddenly him halt, listen intently, and then in an instant he had swung the door safe to, picked up his coat, stuffed his tools pockets, and darted behind the window curtain, motioning me same

only when I had joined him there that I heard what had alarmed his quicker senses noise somewhere house door slammed distance Then confused, dull murmur broke itself measured thud of heavy footsteps rapidly approaching They were passage outside the room They paused door The door opened sharp snick electric light was turned on The door closed once more, pungent reek of strong cigar was borne to our nostrils Then the footsteps continued backwards and forwards, backwards and forwards, within few yards of us Finally, creak from chair, footsteps ceased Then key clicked in lock and I heard the rustle of papers

I dared to look out, but now I gently parted the division curtains in front of me and peeped through pressure of Holmes's shoulder against mine that sharing my observations Right in front of us, and almost within our reach, broad, rounded back of Milverton evident that we had entirely miscalculated his movements, that he had never been bedroom, but that he sitting up in some smoking or billiard room farther wing house, the windows we seen His broad, grizzled head, with its shining patch of baldness, was immediate foreground vision leaning far back red leather chair, his legs outstretched, long black cigar projecting at an angle mouth He wore semi-military smoking jacket, claret-coloured, with black velvet collar hand he held long legal document, which reading in an indolent fashion, blowing rings of tobacco smoke lips as so no promise of speedy departure composed bearing comfortable attitude

Holmes's hand steal into mine and reassuring shake, situation was within his powers easy mind not sure whether he had seen only too obvious from my position, door safe was imperfectly closed, Milverton might at any moment observe it In my own mind I had determined that if I , rigidity gaze, had caught his eye, at once spring out, throw my great-coat over his head, pinion him, and leave the rest to Holmes But Milverton never looked up languidly interested papers hand, and page after page was turned as he followed the argument lawyer , , when he has finished the document cigar go room; but before he had reached the end of either there came remarkable development which turned our thoughts into quite another channel

I had observed that Milverton looked at his watch, and once he had risen and sat down again, with gesture of impatience The idea, however, that an appointment at so strange an hour never occurred until faint sound reached my ears veranda outside Milverton dropped his papers and sat rigid chair The sound was repeated, and then there came gentle tap door Milverton rose and opened it