The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-09-15
CHAPTER XXX.

What We Found at Bolton Street.
 Slowly. and with infinite caution, we both crept forth into the stone passage. and up flight of narrow, un- ,carpeted stairs. A
 Each creak sent thrill of terror through me. The noise made in that ascent seemed terrific in the dead sil- ence of the night.
 At last we found ourselves in the hall, with thick Turkey carpet be- neath our feet On the left a door stood open. and with a flash from my lamp I saw it was the dining room. Behind was small alcove furnished in eastern style and used as a smok- ing room. while behind us were the stairs, rather narrow, but with car for placing the socks over our shoes.
 Ascending to the first floor. we found that the drawing room and the ad- Joining room at the back had been turned into 8 spacious and we'll fur nished librsry-with all the appear ance of the den of a studious man. From floor to ceiling it was lined with books, and here and there a cozy cor nor, with seat for the reader. seclud- ed from draugilts.
 As flashed my light around. saw that in the center stood large writ ing table, upon which was big silver bowl full of Marechal Mel roses. On the floor, lying urfolded. was large map of Europe. c.
 Dare we switch on the 1ight?" ask ~l s,, ho still stood near the door.
 I replied in the affirmative, and a few seconds later the apartment was sud denly flooded with a soft mellow light. cunningly arranged behind the bookcases.
 A fine and yet reposeful retreat was there revealed. just such a room as would appeal to the student.the stand ing desk. the red leather reading chair and the typewriter. Rufford. the man whose penmanship was uneaualed in the kingdom. was a man of refined tastes Unlike most criminals, he could lead quiet. unobtrusive life when necessary. and pose as the learn ed studious man in round gold-rimmed spectacles.
 Near the big fireplace. before which stood an old-fashioned screen of en- broidered silk, was a lady's chair. where the pale green cushion crushed back showed recent occupant. His fair visitor--the young woman who worked in the Soho laundry-had sat there.
 The odor Of an excellent cigar still clung to the place. and on a side table was half-emptied bottle of Evian water and a glass. for the occupier of that house was, I knew. teetotaler.
 The big mahogany writing table, however. attracted me. It was spick and span, with silver inkstand and unsullied plotting pad.
 I tried the drawers. but all were locked.
 Let's pry them open," suggested my companion. and next moment he commenced operations with his iron bar.
 It was dangerous work, for, the noise he made seemed to my excited hear ing tremendous. The drawers. how ever, did not yield, or rather he grew frightened. such cracking of wood did he make. .Theefore we went in work upon them with the punches of our own keys One of Cunliffes. fortunately. fitted. and in a few mo- ments the whole seven were unlocked.
 They, however, proved disappointing. In the center drawer were few rath- CT fine old miniatures, for Garshore was man of antiquarian tastes and had habit of picking up trifles on his cratic wanderings. The next, turned oyer by my companion. contained only embossed stationery. In the next were a couple of balls of string and some sealing wax. cheque book and few other odds and ends. One drawer I opened was crammed full of newspa- per cuttings. I saw that they related to the strange adventures of Willough- by, alias Rufford. the story of which had. I remember. appeared in the pa pers two or three years before.
 That drawer closed quickly away from the sharp eyes of my companion. In the others were only few un- important letters. mostly in French and German, from acauaintances abroad. And this quiet room filled with books. all so transformations and yet So elegant, so businesslil1e and yet so restful the home of one of the most remarkable scoundrels of modern times!
 I gazed around full of curiosity and at the same time full of disappoint- ment We had taken all that trouble and run all that risk-for nothing. I made a tour of the bookcases and on the opposite side of the room came upon two nests of drawers. These we examined. but found nothing of sus- picious nature. While we were thus engaged. however. a noise caused us 1 to halt suddenly and hold our breaths. Some one was moving in the room