No ray of light showed
anywhere. The house must have been pronounced deserted by anyone
contemplating it.
"Upon which side do you suppose the big room to be?" asked Max.
"It is difficult to judge," replied Stuart. "But I am disposed to
believe that it is in the front of the house and on the first floor,
for I traversed a long corridor, descended several stairs, turned to
the right and emerged in a part of the garden bordering the lane in
which Inspector Kelly is posted."
"I was thinking of the window and the balcony which 'The Scorpion'
informed you commanded a view of Hampton Court. Hampton Court," he
turned half-left, "lies about yonder. Therefore you are probably
right, doctor; the room as you say should be in front of the house.
Since we do not know how to disconnect the alarms, once we have
entered the grounds it is important that we should gain access to the
house immediately. Ah! _morbleu!_ the moon disappears again!"
Darkness crept over the countryside.
"There is an iron balcony jutting out amongst the ivy just above and
to the right of the porch!" cried Stuart, who had also been peering
up the moon-patched drive. "I would wager that that is the room!"
"Ah!" replied Max, "I believe you are right. This, then is how we
shall proceed: Inspector Kelly, with the aid of two men, can get over
the wall near that garden door by which you came out. If they cannot
force it from inside, you also must get over and lead the way to the
entrance you know of.
Pages:
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257