gardener told me
so, and I see no reason to doubt his statement. I wouldn't miss this
chance for anything. Even if I get nothing out of it, I should like to
know how this swindle is being worked. But come along, we are wasting
time. There is enough moonlight to help us without using lights, which
is so far fortunate. It may be a little awkward for you, connected as
you are with Copley, but it is all in the game."

"Lead on," Fielden said curtly.

They turned into the avenue and came presently to the front of the
house. Somebody had evidently been in since Phillips' visit, for all the
blinds had been pulled down. Then they walked cautiously round, looking
for a weak spot where they could effect an entrance.

CHAPTER XX

INSIDE

The adventurers managed to squeeze through a scullery window, the latch
of which had not been secured, and a moment later were in the house. As
Phillips had surmised, the place was empty. There were, however, cooking
utensils in the kitchen, a quantity of plates and dishes and glass, with
two baskets containing a small supply of cutlery and silver. Floorcloth
had been laid down on the kitchen floor and a carpet in the hall, and
there were carpets on the stairs, but three of the four living-rooms on
the ground floor were empty. But the fourth room was comfortably
furnished. A fire was still burning in the grate, and on the tiled
hearth Phillips detected the ends of two or three cigarettes. There was
a faint aroma of tobacco on the air, not the sort of tobacco likely to
be consumed by a caretaker.

"It is just as I told you," Phillips chuckled. "I felt sure we should
find the house empty."

"Yet you are not altogether right," Fielden replied. "Somebody has been
here recently, and somebody who knows how to appreciate a good
cigarette. Besides, look at that fire. I don't like it, Phillips, and
wish we were well out of it. We don't happen to be in South Africa now."

"Oh, that's all right," Phillips said cheerfully. "No doubt the fire was
lighted this morning by the gardener, and no doubt also one of the
conspirators has been here. In fact, I should have been disappointed if
I hadn't found traces of him. It isn't necessary for our friends to come
often, but they couldn't very well work their scheme unless they were on
the spot when racing is taking place at Mirst Park. I wonder what our
friend thought of the snowstorm about three o'clock. I guess that must
have upset his calculations