The San Francisco call., 1905-04-16

for some years, and it would be anus
ing if we ended by sharing the same
cell. You know, Watson, don't mind
confessing to you that 1 have always
had an idea that would have made a
highly efficient criminal. This is the
chance of my lifetime in that direc-
ton. See here!" He took neat lit
tie deather case out of drawer. and
opening it he exhibited a number Of
shining instruments. This is first
class, up-to-date burgling kit, with
nickel-plated Jimmy, dianond-tipped
glass-cutter,, adaptable keys and every
modern Improvement which the
march of civilization demands. Here,
too, is my dark lantern. Everything
is in order. Have you a pair Of silent
shoes"
II have rubber-soled tennis shoes"
Excellent And a mask 2"
Il can make couple out Of black
silk"
II can see that you have a strong,
natural turn. for this sort of thing.
Very good. do you make the masks.
We shall have some cold supper be-
fore we start. 1t is now $3.50. At IL
we shall drive as far as Church Row.
1t is a quarter of an hours walk from
there TO Appledore Towers. We shall
be at work before midnight. Milver-
ton is a heavy sleeper, and retires
punctually at 10:30. With any luck
we should be back here by 2, with the
Lady Eva's letters in my pocket.
Holmes and ! put on. our dress
clothes, so that we might appear to
be two theater-goers honleward bound.
In oxford street we picked up, ham
som and drove 10 an address In Hamp>
stead. Here we paid off our cab and
with our great coats buttonsd UP, for
- - arfr- 1alG q
seemed to blow through Us. we walked
along the edge of the heath
It's a business that needs delicate
treatment" said Holmes. These doc
uments are contained in a safe in the
fellows study, and the study is the
anteroom of his bed chamber. ON
the other hand. like all these stout,
little men who do themselves we'll, he
is a plethoric sleeper. Agatha-thats
my fiancee-says it is a joke in the
servants han that it's impossible to-
wake the master. He has a secretary
who is devoted TO his interests, and
never budges from the study all day.
That's why we are going at night
Then he has a beast of "a dog which
roams the garden. l met Agatha late
the last two evenings, and she locks
the brute uD so as TO give me clear
run. This is the house, this big one in
its own grounds. Through the gate
now TO the right among the laurels.
We might put on our masks here, /
think You see, there is not a glirn-
mer of light in any of the windows.
and everything is working spiendidly.'
With our black silk face-coyerings,
which turned us into two of the most
truculent figures in London. we stole
up to the silent, gloomy house. A sort
of tiled veranda extended along one
side Of it, lined by several windows
and two doors.
That's his bedroom" Holmes wfis-
pered. This door opens straight into
the study. II would suit us best but
il is bolted as well as locked, and we
should make too much noise getting
in. Come round here. There's
greenhouse which opens into the
drawing
The place was locked, but Holmes
removed a circle of glass and turnsd
the key from the inside. An instant
afterward he had closed the door be-
hind us. and we had become felons
il the eye of the law. The thick, warm
air of the conservatory and the rich.
choking fragrance of exotic plants
took us by the throat.
He seized my hand in the darkness and
led me swiftly past banks of shrubs.
which brushed against our faces.
Holmes had remarkable powers, care
fully cultivated, of seeing in the dark.
Still holding my hand in one of his, he
opened a door. and 1 was vaguely con-
Scious that we had entered a large
room in which a cigar had been smoked
not long before. He felt his way among
the furniture, opened another door. and
closed 1T behind us. Putting out my
hand felt several coats hanging from
the wall, and ] understood that l was
in a passage. We passed along 1t, and
Holmes very gently opened door upon
the right-hand side. Something rushed
out at us and my heart sprang into my
mouth, but l could have laughed when
] realized that it was the cat. A fire
was burning in this new room, and
again the air was heavy with tobacco
smoke. Holmes entered on tiptoe, wait
ed for me to follow, and then very gem
tly closed the door. We were in Mil
vertons study, and a portiere at the
farther side showed the entrance to his
bedroom
1t was a coed fire and the room was
Illuminated by it. Near the door saw
the gleam OF an electric switch, but it
was unnecessary, even If it had been
safe, to turn it 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 a turning chair of shining red
leather. Opposite was large bookcase,
with a marble bust of Athene on the
top. In the corner between the book
case 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 it. Then he crept to the door of the
bedroom, and stood with slanting head
listening intently. No sound came from
within Meanwhile ii had struck me
that it would be wise TO secure our re-
treat through the outer door, so / ex-
amined it. To my amazement, 1t was
neither locked nor bolted. / 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 l.
Il don't like it," he whispered, put
ting his lips to my very ear. Il can't
quite make 1t out. Anyhow, we have
no time to lose
Can l do anything"
"Yes, stand by the door. If you hear
any one come bolt it on the inside, and
we can get away as we came. If they
come the other way we can get through
the door if our job is done, or hide be-