" two windows chamber is unobstructed by furniture, wholly visible The lower portion other is hidden from view head unwieldy bedstead thrust close up against it The former was found securely fastened from within It resisted the utmost force who endeavored to raise it large gimlet-hole pierced in its frame left, and very stout nail was found fitted therein, nearly head Upon examining the other window, similar nail was seen similarly fitted ; and vigorous attempt to raise this sash, failed also The police were now entirely satisfied that egress directions And, therefore_, thought matter of supererogation to withdraw the nails and open the windows

"My own examination was somewhat more particular, and was so reason just given - because here , , that all apparent impossibilities proved not such in reality

"I proceeded thus - posteriori The murderers did escape from windows This being so, have refastened the sashes inside, were found fastened; - the consideration which put stop, obviousness, scrutiny police quarter Yet the sashes were_ fastened They must_, then, have the power of fastening themselves no escape conclusion I stepped unobstructed casement, withdrew the nail with some difficulty and attempted to raise the sash It resisted all my efforts, as I had anticipated concealed spring must, I now know, exist; and this corroboration idea convinced me that my premises , were correct, however mysterious still appeared the circumstances attending the nails careful search soon brought to light the hidden spring I pressed it, and, satisfied discovery, forbore to upraise the sash

"I now replaced the nail and regarded it attentively person passing out window reclosed it, spring caught - but the nail replaced The conclusion was plain, and again narrowed field investigations The assassins escaped other window Supposing, then, the springs upon each sash the same, as was probable, found difference nails, or modes fixture Getting sacking bedstead, I looked over the head-board minutely second casement Passing my hand down behind the board, I readily discovered and pressed the spring, , as I had supposed, identical in character with its neighbor I now looked nail as stout other, and apparently fitted same manner - driven in nearly head

" say that puzzled; but, so, misunderstood the nature inductions To use sporting phrase, I once 'at fault ' The scent had never for an instant been lost no flaw in any link chain I had traced the secret to its ultimate result, - result nail It had, , in every respect, the appearance fellow other window; but this fact was an absolute nullity (conclusive us it might ) when compared consideration that here, point, terminated the clew ' something wrong,' , ' nail ' I touched it; head, with about quarter of an inch shank, came off in my fingers The rest shank was gimlet-hole where it broken off The fracture was an old one (for its edges were incrusted with rust), and had apparently been accomplished blow of hammer, which had partially imbedded, top bottom sash, the head portion nail I now carefully replaced this head portion indentation whence I had taken it, resemblance to perfect nail was complete - the fissure was invisible Pressing the spring, I gently raised the sash for few inches; the head went up with it, remaining firm in its bed I closed the window, semblance whole nail was again perfect

"The riddle, , was now unriddled The assassin had escaped window which looked bed Dropping own accord upon his exit (or perhaps purposely closed), it had become fastened spring; and it retention spring which mistaken police nail, - farther inquiry being thus considered unnecessary

"The next question mode of descent point I satisfied in my walk around the building About five feet and half casement there runs lightning-rod rod it impossible for to reach the window itself, nothing of entering it I observed, however, shutters fourth story were peculiar kind called by Parisian carpenters ferrades - kind rarely employed present day, but frequently seen upon very old mansions at Lyons and Bourdeaux form of an ordinary door, (a single, not folding door) except lower half is latticed or worked in open trellis - thus affording an excellent hold hands present instance these shutters are fully three feet and half broad When we saw them rear house, they were both about half open - , they stood off at right angles wall probable police, as myself, examined the back tenement; but, , in looking ferrades line breadth (as done), perceive this great breadth itself, or, at all events, failed it into due consideration , having once satisfied themselves that no egress made quarter, naturally bestow here very cursory examination clear , however, shutter belonging window head bed, would, if swung fully back wall, reach to within two feet lightning-rod also evident that, by exertion of very unusual degree of activity and courage, an entrance window, rod, thus effected - By reaching distance of two feet and half (we now suppose the shutter open to its whole extent) robber taken firm grasp trellis-work Letting go, then, his hold rod, placing his feet securely against the wall, and springing boldly , swung the shutter so close it, and, imagine the window open , might even have swung himself room

" you to bear especially in mind that spoken of very_ unusual degree of activity as requisite to success in so hazardous and so difficult feat my design to show you, first, thing might possibly accomplished: - but, secondly and _chiefly_, to impress upon your understanding the very extraordinary - the almost prternatural character agility which accomplished it