... I say, what's up? You're listening to something!
If it's the policeman we'll have a word with him."
It was not the policeman; it was no out-door sound that I had
caught in the sudden cessation of the bout for breath. It was a
noise, a footstep, in the room below us. I went to the window
and leaned out: right underneath, in the conservatory, was the
faintest glimmer of a light in the adjoining room.
"One of the rooms where the presents are!" whispered Medlicott at
my elbow. And as we withdrew together, I looked him in the face
as I had not done all. night.
I looked him in the face like an honest man, for a miracle was to
make me one once more. My knot was cut - my course inevitable.
Mine, after all., to prevent the very thing that I had come to do!
My gorge had long since risen at the deed; the unforeseen
circumstances had rendered it impossible from the first; but now
I could afford to recognize the impossibility, and to think of
Raffles and the asthmatic alike without a qualm. I could play the
game by them both, for it was one and the same game. I could
preserve thieves' honor, and yet regain some shred of that which
I had forfeited as a man!
So I thought as we stood face to face, our ears straining for the
least movement below, our eyes locked in a common anxiety.
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