However, in the end our wait was not as long as Holmes had thought it would be. And it ended in a very sudden and extraordinary way. Without the slightest sound to warn us, the garden gate suddenly swung open. An athletic, dark figure ran quickly and energetically up the garden path. We saw him hurry past the light from over the door and disappear into the black shadow of the house.

There was a long pause, during which we held our breath. Then we heard a very gentle creaking sound. The window was being opened. The noise stopped, and again there was a long silence. The criminal was getting into the house. We saw a quick flash of light inside the room. But what the criminal sought was not there, for again we saw the light through another window, and then through another.

'Let's go to the open window. We will capture him as he climbs out.' Lestrade whispered.

But before we could move, the man had come out of the house again. As he came into the small patch of light, we saw that he was carrying something white under his arm. He looked carefully around. The street was quiet and dark, so he turned around and put down what he was carrying. The next moment there was a sharp tap, followed by a rattling noise. The man was so busy with what he was doing that he never heard our steps as we came quietly across the grass.