the amateur cracksman-第3章

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〃Well；　not　exactly。〃

〃What；　then？〃

〃The　equivalentfrom　his　shop。〃

There　was　no　need　for　another　question。　　I　understood　everything　but　my　own　density。　　He　had　given　me　a　dozen　hints；　and　I　had　taken　none。　And　there　I　stood　staring　at　him；　in　that　empty　room；　and　there　he　stood　with　his　dark　lantern；　laughing　at　me。

〃A　burglar！〃　I　gasped。　　〃Youyou！〃

〃I　told　you　I　lived　by　my　wits。〃

〃Why　couldn't　you　tell　me　what　you　were　going　to　do？　　Why　couldn't　you　trust　me？　　Why　must　you　lie？〃　I　demanded；　piqued　to　the　quick　for　all　my　horror。

〃I　wanted　to　tell　you；〃　said　he。　　〃I　was　on　the　point　of　telling　you　more　than　once。　　You　may　remember　how　I　sounded　you　about　crime；　though　you　have　probably　forgotten　what　you　said　yourself。　　I　didn't　think　you　meant　it　at　the　time；　but　I　thought　I'd　put　you　to　the　test。　　Now　I　see　you　didn't；　and　I　don't　blame　you。　　I　only　am　to　blame。　Get　out　of　it；　my　dear　boy；　as　quick　as　you　can；　leave　it　to　me。　　You　won't　give　me　away；　whatever　else　you　do！〃

Oh；　his　cleverness！　　His　fiendish　cleverness！　Had　he　fallen　back　on　threats；　coercion；　sneers；　all　might　have　been　different　even　yet。　　But　he　set　me　free　to　leave　him　in　the　lurch。　　He　would　not　blame　me。　　He　did　not　even　bind　me　to　secrecy；　he　trusted　me。　　He　knew　my　weakness　and　my　strength；　and　was　playing　on　both　with　his　master's　touch。

〃Not　so　fast；〃　said　I。　　〃Did　I　put　this　into　your　head；　or　were　you　going　to　do　it　in　any　case？〃

〃Not　in　any　case；〃　said　Raffles。　　〃It's　true　I've　had　the　key　for　days；　but　when　I　won　to…night　I　thought　of　chucking　it；　for；　as　a　matter　of　fact；　it's　not　a　one…man　job。〃

〃That　settles　it。　　I'm　your　man。〃

〃You　mean　it？〃

〃Yesfor　to…night。〃

〃Good　old　Bunny；〃　he　murmured；　holding　the　lantern　for　one　moment　to　my　face；　the　next　he　was　explaining　his　plans；　and　I　was　nodding；　as　though　we　had　been　fellow…cracksmen　all　our　days。

〃I　know　the　shop；〃　he　whispered；　〃because　I've　got　a　few　things　there。　　I　know　this　upper　part　too；　it's　been　to　let　for　a　month；　and　I　got　an　order　to　view；　and　took　a　cast　of　the　key　before　using　it。　The　one　thing　I　don't　know　is　how　to　make　a　connection　between　the　two；　at　present　there's　none。　We　may　make　it　up　here；　though　I　rather　fancy　the　basement　myself。　　If　you　wait　a　minute　I'll　tell　you。〃

He　set　his　lantern　on　the　floor；　crept　to　a　back　window；　and　opened　it　with　scarcely　a　sound：　only　to　return；　shaking　his　head；　after　shutting　the　window　with　the　same　care。

〃That　was　our　one　chance；〃　said　he；　〃a　back　window　above　a　back　window；　but　it's　too　dark　to　see　anything；　and　we　daren't　show　an　outside　light。　Come　down　after　me　to　the　basement；　and　remember；　though　there's　not　a　soul　on　the　premises；　you　can't　make　too　little　noise。　　Theretherelisten　to　that！〃

It　was　the　measured　tread　that　we　had　heard　before　on　the　flagstones　outside。　　Raffles　darkened　his　lantern；　and　again　we　stood　motionless　till　it　had　passed。

〃Either　a　policeman；〃　he　muttered；　〃or　a　watchman　that　all　these　jewellers　run　between　them。　The　watchman's　the　man　for　us　to　watch；　he's　simply　paid　to　spot　this　kind　of　thing。〃

We　crept　very　gingerly　down　the　stairs；　which　creaked　a　bit　in　spite　of　us；　and　we　picked　up　our　shoes　in　the　passage；　then　down　some　narrow　stone　steps；　at　the　foot　of　which　Raffles　showed　his　light；　and　put　on　his　shoes　once　more；　bidding　me　do　the　same　in　a　rather　louder　tone　than　he　had　permitted　himself　to　employ　overhead。　　We　were　now　considerably　below　the　level　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　a　key　was　turned　and　a　bolt　drawn；　and　this　one　presently　let　us　out　into　the　bottom　of　a　deep；　square　well　of　fog。　　A　similar　door　faced　it　across　this　area；　and　Raffles　had　the　lantern　close　against　it；　and　was　hiding　the　light　with　his　body；　when　a　short　and　sudden　crash　made　my　heart　stand　still。　　Next　moment　I　saw　the　door　wide　open；　and　Raffles　standing　within　and　beckoning　me　with　a　jimmy。

〃Door　number　one；〃　he　whispered。　　〃Deuce　knows　how　many　more　there'll　be；　but　I　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　premises。　But　this　flight　led　to　no　open　passage；　instead；　a　singularly　solid　mahogany　door　confronted　us　at　the　top。

〃I　thought　so；〃　muttered　Raffles；　handing　me　the　lantern；　and　pocketing　a　bunch　of　skeleton　keys；　after　tampering　for　a　few　minutes　with　the　lock。　〃It'll　be　an　hour's　work　to　get　through　that！〃

〃Can't　you　pick　it？〃

〃No：　I　know　these　locks。　　It's　no　use　trying。　We　must　cut　it　out；　and　it'll　take　us　an　hour。〃

It　took　us　forty…seven　minutes　by　my　watch；　or；　rather；　it　took　Raffles；　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。

Raffles　had　produced　a　pretty　embroidered　case；　intended　obviously　for　his　razors；　but　filled　instead　with　the　tools　of　his　secret　trade；　including　the　rock…oil。　　From　this　case　he　selected　a　〃bit；〃　capable　of　drilling　a　hole　an　inch　in　diameter；　and　fitted　it　to　a　small　but　very　strong　steel　〃brace。〃　Then　he　took　off　his　covert…coat　and　his　blazer；　spread　them　neatly　on　the　top　stepknelt　on　themturned　up　his　shirt　cuffsand　went　to　work　with　brace…and…bit　near　the　key…hole。　　But　first　he　oiled　the　bit　to　minimize　the　noise；　and　this　he　did　invariably　before　beginning　a　fresh　hole；　and　often　in　the　middle　of　one。　　It　took　thirty…two　separate　borings　to　cut　around　that　lock。

I　noticed　that　through　the　first　circular　orifice　Raffles　thrust　a　forefinger；　then；　as　the　circle　became　an　ever…lengthening　oval；　he　got　his　hand　through　up　to　the　thumb；　and　I　heard　him　swear　softly　to　himself。

〃I　was　afraid　so！〃

〃What　is　it？〃

〃An　iron　gate　on　the　other　side！〃

〃How　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　inwards。　It　won't　open　two　inches　as　it　is。〃

I　confess　I　did　not　feel　sanguine　about　the　lock…picking；　seeing　that　one　lock　had　baffled　us　already；　and　my　disappointment　and　impatience　must　have　been　a　revelation　to　me　had　I　stopped　to　think。　The　truth　is　that　I　was　entering　into　our　nefarious　undertaking　with　an　involuntary　zeal　of　which　I　was　myself　quite　unconscious　at　the　time。　　The　romance　and　the　peril　of　the　whole　proceeding　held　me　spellbound　and　entranced。　　My　moral　sense　and　my　sense　of　fear　were　stricken　by　a　common　paralysis。　　And　there　I　stood；　shining　my　light　and　holding　my　phial　with　a　keener　interest　than　I　had　ever　brought　to　any　honest　avocation。　And　there　knelt　A。　J。　Raffles；　with　his　black　hair　tumbled；　and　the　same　watchful；　quiet；　determined　half…smile　with　which　I　have　seen　him　send　down　over　after　over　in　a　county　match！

At　last　the　chain　of　holes　was　complete；　the　lock　wrenched　out　bodily；　and　a　splendid　bare　arm　plunged　up　to　the　shoulder　through　the　aperture；　and　through　the　bars　of　the　iron　gate　beyond。

〃Now；〃　whispered　Raffles；　〃if　there's　only　one　lock　it'll　be　in　the　middle。　　Joy！　　Here　it　is！　　Only　let　me　pick　it；　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。　　It　was　a　breathless　moment。　　I　heard　the　heart　throbbing　in　my　body；　the　very　watch　ticking　in　my　pocket；　and　ever　and　anon　the　tinkle…tinkle　of　the　skeleton　key。　　Thenat　lastthere　came　a　single　unmistakable　click。　　In　another　minute　the　mahogany　door　and　the　iron　gate　yawned　behind　us；　and　Raffles　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　therefrom　by　an　iron　curtain；　the　very　sight　of　which　filled　me　with　despair。　Raffles；　however；　did　not　appear　in　the　least　depressed；　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　a　minute's　inspection；　〃we'll　be　through　that　in　no　time；　but　there's　a　door　on　the　other　side　which　may　give　us　trouble。〃

〃Another　door！〃　I　groaned。　　〃And　how　do　you　mean　to　tackle　this　thing？〃

〃Prise　it　up　with　the　jointed　jimmy。　　The　weak　point　of　these　iron　curtains　is　the　leverage　you　can　get　from　below。　　But　it　makes　a　noise；　and　this　is　where　you're　coming　in；　Bunny；　this　is　where　I　couldn't　do　without　you。　　I　must　have　you　overhead　to　knock　through　when　the　street's　clear。　I'll　come　with　you　and　show　a　light。〃

Well；　you　may　imagine　how　little　I　liked　the　prospect　of　this　lonely　vigil；　and　yet　there　was　something　very　stimulating　in　the　vital　responsibility　which　it　involved。　　Hitherto　I　had　been　a　mere　spectator。　　Now　I　was　to　take　part　in　the　game。　And　the　fresh　excitement　made　me　more　than　ever　insensible　to　those　considerations　of　conscience　and　of　safety　which　were　already　as　dead　nerves　in　my　breast。

So　I　took　my　post　without　a　murmur　in　the　front　room　above　the　shop。　　The　fixtures　had　been　left　for　the　refusal　of　the　incoming　tenant；　and　fortunately　for　us　they　included　Venetian　blinds　which　were　already　down。　　It　was　the　simplest　matter　in　the　world　to　stand　peeping　through　the　laths　into　the　street；　to　beat　twice　with　my　foot　when　anybody　was　approaching；　and　once　when　all　was　clear　again。　　The　noises　that　even　I　could　hear　below；　with　the　exception　of　one　metallic　crash　at　the　beginning；　were　indeed　incredibly　slight；　but　they　ceased　altogether　at　each　double　rap　from　my　toe；　and　a　policeman　passed　quite　half　a　dozen　times　beneath　my　eyes；　and　the　man　whom　I　took　to　be　the　jeweller's　watchman　oftener　still；　during　the　better　part　of　an　hour　that　I　spent　at　the　window。　　Once；　indeed；　my　heart　was　in　my　mouth；　but　only　once。　　It　was　when　the　watchman　stopped　and　peered　through　the　peep…hole　into　the　lighted　shop。　　I　waited　for　his　whistleI　waited　for　the　gallows　or　the　gaol！　　But　my　signals　had　been　studiously　obeyed；　and　the　man　passed　on　in　undisturbed　serenity。

In　the　end　I　had　a　signal　in　my　turn；　and　retraced　my　steps　with　lighted　matches；　down　the　broad　stairs；　down　the　narrow　ones；　across　the　area；　and　up　into　the　lobby　where　Raffles　awaited　me　with　an　outstretched　hand。

〃Well　done；　my　boy！〃　said　he。　　〃You're　the　same　good　man　in　a　pinch；　and　you　shall　have　your　reward。　　I've　got　a　thousand　pounds'　worth　if　I've　got　a　penn'oth。　　It's　all　in　my　pockets。　　And　here's　something　else　I　found　in　this　locker；　very　decent　port　and　some　cigars；　meant　for　poor　dear　Danby's　business　friends。　　Take　a　pull；　and　you　shall　light　up　presently。　　I've　found　a　lavatory；　too；　and　we　must　have　a　wash…and…brush…up　before　we　go；　for　I'm　as　black　as　your　boot。〃

The　iron　curtain　was　down；　but　he　insisted　on　raising　it　until　I　could　peep　through　the　glass　door　on　the　other　side　and　see　his　handiwork　in　the　shop　beyond。　　Here　two　electric　lights　were　left　burning　all　night　long；　and　in　their　cold　white　rays　I　could　at　firs