Besides, the jewels are locked up in the safe in Sir Horace's consulting-room, and his assistant, Mr.
Merfroy, has promised not to leave it for one instant before we return." "Oh, well, that's all right, then.

I dare say there is very little likelihood of our man getting in whilst you and Sir Horace are here, and taking such a risk as stopping in the house until nightfall to begin his operations.

Still, it was hardly wise, and I should advise hurrying back as fast as possible and taking at least one servant--the one you feel least likely to lose his head--into your confidence, Sir Horace, and putting him on the watch for my men.

Otherwise, keep the matter as quiet as you have done, and look for me about nine o'clock.

And rely upon this as a certainty: the Vanishing Cracksman will never get away with even one of those jewels if he enters that house to-night, and never get out of it unshackled!" With that, he suavely bowed his visitors out and rang up the pick of his men without an instant's delay.
Promptly at nine o'clock he arrived, as he had promised, at Wyvern House, and was shown into Sir Horace's consulting-room, where Sir Horace himself and Miss Lorne were awaiting him, and keeping close watch before the locked door of a communicating apartment in which sat the six men who had preceded him.