Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-06-10

and we had become felons in the eyes
of the law. The thick, warm air of the
conservatory and the rich, choking fra
GRANGE of exotic plants took us by the
throat. He seized my hand in the dark
ness and led me swiftly past banks of
shrubs which brushed against our
faces. Holmes had remarkable powers
carefully cultivated. of seeing in the
dark. Still holding my hand i'll one of
his. he opened door, and l was
vaguely conscious that we had entered
a large room in which n cigar had been
smoked not long before He felt his
way among the furniture. opened an
other door and closed it behind us. Put
ting out my hand. l felt several coats
hanging from the wall, and | under
stood that / was in Il passage. We
passed along il, and Holmes very gen
thy opened a door upon the right hand
side. Something rushed out at us. and
my heart sprang into my mouth, but |
could have laughed when l realized
that ii was the cat. \ fire was burn
ing in this new room, and again the air
was heavy with tobacco smoke. Holmes
entered on tiptOe, waited for me to fol
low, and then very gently closed the
door We were I'm MilvertOn's study.
and portiere at the farther side show
ed the entrance to his bedroom.
1t was good fire. and the room was
Illuminated by it. Near the door saw
the CLEAN of an electric switch, but il
was unnecessary, even If II had been
safe, to turn 1t on. At one side of the
fireplace was a heavy curtain which
covered the bay window we had seen
from outside. On the other side was
the door which communicated with the
veranda. A desk stood in the center,
with n turning chair OF shining red
leather Opposite was Il large book
case with Il marble bust OF Athene on
the top. In the corner. between the
bookcase and the wall. there stood a
tall. green safe, the freight flashing
back from the polished brass knobs
upon its face. Holmes stole across and
looked at IL. Then ne crept to the door
Of the bedroom and stood with slanting
head, listening intently. No sound came
from within. Meanwhile il had struck
me that IL would be wise to secure our
retreat through the outer door, so OK
amined it. To my amaZement IL was
neither locked nor boIted. I touched
Holmes on the arm. and he turned his
masked face in that direction. / saw
him start. and he was evidently as sur
prised as /.
Al don't like it, he whispered, put
ting his lips to my very ear. II can't
quite make it out Anyhow we have
no time to lose
"Can / do anythingf"
Eyes; stand by the door. If you hear
any one come. bolt it on the inside.
and we can get away as we came. II
they come the other way. we can get
through the door if our job is done or
hide behind these window curtains If
il is not. Do yOu underestimate"
/ nodded and stood by the door. Ny
first feeling OF fear had passed away,
and / thrilled now with a keener zest
than l had ever enjoyed when we were
the defenders Of the law instead OF its
defiers. The high object OF our mis-
sion, the consciousness that IL was
unselfish and chivalrous. the vilIainous
character OF our opponent. all added to
the sporting interest of the adventure.
Far from feeling guilty, 1 rejoiced and
exulted in our dangers. With a glow
OF admiration / watched Holmes IN
rolling his case OF instruments and
choosing his tool with the calm. scien-
1i6c accuracy of a surgeon who per-
forms a delicate operation. ] knew
that the opening of safes was a partic-
uIar hobby with him, and understood
the Joy which it gave him 10 be con-