The Washington herald., 1914-02-15
Vl6 BY nY
E.W. MoRNUNG


We picked up our shoes in the passage;
then down some narrow stone steps. at
the foot of which Rafhes showed his
light. and put on his shoes once more.
bidding me do the same in a rather
louder tone than he had permitted HIM
self to employ overhead. We were now
considerably below the levels Of the
street, in a small space with as many
doors as it had sides. Three were ajar.
and We saw through them into empty
cellars: but in the fourth key was
turned and a bolt drawn; and this one
presently let US out into the bottom of
deep. square well Of fog. A similar
door faced II across this area, and
Raffies had the lantern close against II,
and was hiding the light with his body.
when a short and sudden crash made
my heart stand still. Next moment !
saw the door wide open. and Raffies
standing within and reckoning me with
a jimmy.
Door number one" he whispered.
Deuce knows how many more there'll
be, but know of two at least. We
won't have to make much noise over
them. either; down here there's less risk"
We were now at the bottom of the
exact fellow to the narrow stone stair
which We had just descended: the yard.
or well. being the one part common to
both the private and the business prem
Uses. But this fight led to no open pas
sage; instead. a singularly solid mahog-
any door confronted us at the top.
II thought So muttered Rafhes.
handing me the lantern. and pocketing a
bunch of skeleton keys. after tamperins
for a few minutes with the lock. It'll
be an hours work to get through that?'
Cant you pick it?'
mo. I know these locks It's no use
trying. We must cut it out. and it'll
take us an hour"
1t took US forty-seven minutes by my
watch; or. rather, 1t took Raffies; and
never In my life have I seen anything
more deliberately done. My part was
simply to stand by with the dark lantern
in one hand. and a small bottle Of rock
oil in the other. Raffies had produced
pretty embroidered case. intended OBJ
yiousIy for his razors. but filled instead
with the tools of his secret trade, in
Guiding the rock-oil. From this case : e
selected a Dit capable Of drilling a
hole an inch in diameter, and fitted II
to a small but very strong steel brace"
Then he took of his covert-coat and his
blazer, spread them neatly on the top
step-knelt on them-turnins up his shirt
cuffs-and went to work with brace and
bit near the keyhole. But first he oiled
the bit to minimize the noise. and this
he did invariably before beginning fresh
hole. and often in the middle Of one. II
took thirty-two separate borings to cut
round that lock.
noticed that through the first circu-
lar orifice Raffies thrust forehnger;
then. as the circle became an eye-length-
ening oval, he got his hand through up
to the thumb: and I heard him swear
softly to himself.
IT was afraid SOL
What Is it,?
AN iron gate on the other side"
SLOW on earth are We to get through
that?" I asked in dismay.
Pick the lock. But there may be two.
In that case they'll be top and bottom.
and we shall have two fresh holes to
make. as the door opens inward. II
won't open two inches as it is
At last, however, the chain of holes
was complete, the lock wrenched out
bodily, and a splendid bare arm plunged
ND to the shoulder through the aperture,
and through the bars OF the iron gate
beyond.
Now" whispered Raffies. 'it there's
only one lock it'll be in the middle Joy!
Here it is. Only let me pick 1t. and
we're through at last
He withdrew his arm. a skeleton key
was selected from the bunch, and then
back went his arm to the shoulder. II
was a breathIess moment. Then-at last
there came a --.~'%-
In another minute the mahogany door
and the iron gate yawned behind US;
and Rafies was sitting on an office
table. wiping his face. with the lantern
throwing a steady beam by his side
We were now in a bare and roomy
lobby behind the shop. but separated
tberefrom by an iron curtain. the very
sight of which flied me with despair
Rsffies, however. did not appear in the
least decreased, but hung up his coat
and hat on some pegs in the lobby before
examining this curtain with his lantern.
THAT'S nothing" said he. after min
ute's inspection; well be through that
in no time, but there's door on the
o,ber side which may give US trouble"
"Another doorg' groaned. And how
do YOU mean to tackle this thingT'
"Prv II up with the jointed jimmy.
The weak point of these iron curtains is
IN. leverage you can get from below. But
II makes a noise, and this is where
you're coming in. Bunny; this is where
couldn't do without you. 1 must have
Won overhead to post me when the
streets clear. I'll come with you and
show a light"
So 1 took my post without murmur
in the front room above the shop. The
fixtures had been left for the refusal of
the incoming tenant. and fortunately for