I heard Raffles creep
forth again and I let him go without a word. I never doubted that
he would be back again in a minute, and so let many minutes elapse
before I realized his continued absence, and finally crept out
myself to look for him.
Even then I only supposed that he had posted himself outside in
some more commanding position. I took a catlike stride and
breathed his name. There was no answer. I ventured further, till
I could overlook the lawns: they lay like clean slates in the
starlight: there was no sign of living thing nearer than the house,
which was still lit up, but quiet enough now. Was it a cunning
and deliberate quiet assumed as a snare? Had they caught Raffles,
and were they waiting for me? I returned to the boat-house in an
agony of fear and indignation. It was fear for the long hours
that I sat there waiting for him; it was indignation when at last
I heard his stealthy step upon the gravel. I would not go out to
meet him. I sat where I was while the stealthy step came nearer,
nearer; and there I was sitting when the door opened, and a huge
man in riding-clothes stood before me in the steely dawn.
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