The fellow was making his way into the house.We saw the sudden flash of a dark lantern inside the room.What he sought was evidently not there, for again we saw the flash through another blind, and then through another.
"Let us get to the open window.We will nab him as he climbs out,"Lestrade whispered.
But before we could move the man had emerged again.As he came out into the glimmering patch of light we saw that he carried something white under his arm.He looked stealthily all round him.The silence of the deserted street reassured him.Turning his back upon us he laid down his burden, and the next instant there was the sound of a sharp tap, followed by a clatter and rattle.The man was so intent upon what he was doing that he never heard our steps as we stole across the grass plot.With the bound of a tiger Holmes was on his back, and an instant later Lestrade and I had him by either wrist and the handcuffs had been fastened.As we turned him over I saw a hideous, sallow face, with writhing, furious features, glaring up at us, and I knew that it was indeed the man of the photograph whom we had secured.