ing fitted with a powerful bolt; but
now an aching conscience made me busier than I need have been. I had
raised the rope-ladder after us into my own old room, and while
Raffles wedged his door I lowered the ladder from one of the best
bedroom windows, in order to prepare that way of escape which was a
fundamental feature of his own strategy. I meant to show Raffles that
I had not followed in his train for nothing. But I left it to him to
unearth the jewels. I had begun by turning up the gas; there appeared
to be no possible risk in that; and Raffles went to work with a will
in the excellent light. There were some good pieces in the room,
including an ancient tallboy in fruity mahogany, every drawer of
which was turned out on the bed without avail. A few of the drawers
had locks to pick, yet not one trifle to our taste within. The
situation became serious as the minutes flew. We had left the party at
its sweets; the solitary lady might be free to roam her house at any
minute. In the end we turned our attention to the dressing-room. And
no sooner did Raffles behold the bolted door than up went his hands.

"A bathroom bolt," he cried below his breath, "and no bath in the
room! Why didn't you tell me, Bunny? A bolt like that speaks volumes;
there's none on the bedroom door, remember, and this one's worthy of a
strong room! What if it is their strong room, Bunny! Oh, Bunny, what
if this is their safe!"

Raffles had dropped upon his knees before a carved oak chest of
indisputable antiquity. Its panels were delightfully irregular, its
angles faultlessly faulty, its one modern defilement a strong lock to
the lid. Raffles was smiling as he produced his jimmy. R--r--r--rip
went lock or lid in another ten seconds--I was not there to see which.
I had wandered back into the bedroom in a paroxysm of excitement and
suspense. I must keep busy as well as Raffles, and it was not too
soon to see whether the rope-ladder was all right. In another
minute....

I stood frozen to the floor. I had hooked the ladder beautifully to
the inner sill of wood, and had also let down the extended rod for the
more expeditious removal of both on our return to _terra firma_.
Conceive my cold horror on arriving at the open window just in time to
see the last of hooks and bending rod, as they floated out of sight
and reach into the outer darkness of the night, removed by some silent
and invisible hand below!

"Raffles--Raffles--they've spotted us and mo