snowstorm that led me here at
all. And now, let us go back to my lodgings and discuss the matter over
a cigar."

The telephone receiver was replaced in its box, the lid shut down, and
the investigators began their descent to the lower rooms. They had not
forgotten to be cautious and walked as quietly and carefully as if the
house were occupied, which was, perhaps, as well, for as they reached
the first-floor landing there came the scratch of a match downstairs. It
was only a slight noise, but in the empty house it boomed loudly in the
ears of the explorers. The match had been struck to light the gas, for a
moment later the hall blazed up brightly, and Fielden and his companion,
looking over the banisters, saw two men in the hall.

"Have you made up a fire in the dining-room?" one of them asked. "You
haven't? Well, do so at once. I am half frozen. It's precious poor fun
motoring from London on a night like this. Did you bring in the hamper?"

Phillips started at the sound of the voice.

"This is awkward," he whispered. "I wish to goodness we had gone five
minutes sooner. It will be worse for you than for me if we are found
out. Did you recognize that voice?"

"Copley," Fielden muttered. "I'd give something to be out of this. The
other man is Foster, of course. I wonder what ill luck brings these
fellows here to-night. Still, as all these rooms are empty they are not
likely to come upstairs. But they mean to stay, or Copley would not have
been so fastidious about the fire."

"They are going to make a night of it," Phillips replied. "Judging from
that remark about the hamper, they have brought supper with them,
expecting somebody else, very likely. Well, there is nothing for it but
to wait. If we could only put out the gas in the hall we might have a
chance. We can slip down while they are at supper and leave by the way
we came. We must have that gas out."

"They would only light it again."

"Not if I plug the burner. I'll go and look for a piece of wood. It is
likely the carpenters have left some behind: they generally do. If I can
find a piece about four feet long, the trick will be done."

CHAPTER XXI

THE EAVESDROPPERS

To Fielden, waiting, it seemed that Phillips was a long time away. While
he stood looking over the banisters he learned that the fire had been
made up downstairs. With grim amusement he watched Foster open the
hamper and take from it certain delicacies which formed the foundation