ohibited a close
approach. A wall or shed cut off their view of the building's lower
storey; and though somewhat startled at being left unceremoniously
alone after just a whispered word of encouragement from the ever ready
detective, George could quite understand the necessity which that person
must feel for a quiet reconnoitering of the surroundings before the
two of them ventured further forward in their possibly hazardous
undertaking. Yet the experience was none too pleasing to George, and he
was very glad to hear Sweetwater's whisper again at his ear, and to
feel himself rescued from the pool of slush in which he had been left to
stand.

"The approach is not all that can be desired," remarked the detective as
they entered what appeared to be a low shed. "The broken board has
been put back and securely nailed in place, and if I am not very much
mistaken there is a fellow stationed in the yard who will want the
pass-word too. Looks shady to me. I'll have something to tell the chief
when I get back."

"But we! What are we going to do if we cannot get in front or rear?"

"We're going to wait right here in the hopes of catching a glimpse of
our man as he comes out," returned the detective, drawing George towards
a low window overlooking the yard he had described as sentinelled. "He
will have to pass directly under this window on his way to the alley,"
Sweetwater went on to explain, "and if I can only raise it--but the
noise would give us away. I can't do that."

"Perhaps it swings on hinges," suggested George. "It looks like that
sort of a window."

"If it should--well! it does. We're in great luck, sir. But before I
pull it open, remember that from the moment I unlatch it, everything
said or done here can be heard in the adjoining yard. So no whispers and
no unnecessary movements. When you hear him coming, as sooner or later
you certainly will, fall carefully to your knees and lean out just far
enough to catch a glimpse of him before he steps down from the porch. If
he stops to light his cigar or to pass a few words with some of the men
he will leave behind, you may get a plain enough view of his face or
figure to identify him. The light is burning low in that rear hall, but
it will do. If it does not,--if you can't see him or if you do, don't
hang out of the window more than a second. Duck after your first look.
I don't want to be caught at this job with no better opportunity for
escape than we have here. Can you