“All had keys.  Want to get in, Colonel?”

“Yes, I want to get in.  Are there any others in the house—­servants—­any one?”

“No, sir,” Josiah said.  “I went round to an alley at the back of the house.  There are lights on the second storey.  You can get in easy at the back, sir.”

Seeing a policeman on the opposite pavement, Penhallow at once changed his plan of entrance, and crossing the street said to the policeman, “Is this your beat?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Very good!  You see I am in uniform.  Here is my card.  I am on duty at the War Department.  Here is my general pass from the Provost-marshal General.  Come to the gas lamp and read it.  Here are ten dollars.  I have to get into No. 229 on Government business.  If I do not come out in thirty minutes, give the alarm, call others and go in.  Who lives there?”

“It is a gambling house—­or was—­not now.”

“Very good.  This is my servant, Josiah.  If I get out safely, come to Willard’s to-morrow at nine—­use my card—­ask for me—­and you will not be sorry to have helped me.”

“You want to get in!”

“Yes.”

“No use to ring, sir,” said Josiah.  “There ain’t any servants and the gentlemen, they ate outside.  Lord, how it rains!”

The policeman hesitated.  Another ten dollar note changed owners.  “Well, it isn’t police duty—­and you’re not a burglar—­”

The Colonel laughed.  “If I were, I’d have been in that house without your aid.”

“Well, yes, sir.  Burglars don’t usually take the police into their confidence.  There are no lights except in the second storey.  If your man’s not afraid and it’s an honest Government job, let him go through that side alley, get over the fence—­I’ll help him—­and either through a window or by the cellar he can get in and open the front door for you.”

Josiah laughed low laughter as he crossed the street with the officer and was lost to view.  The Colonel waited at the door.  In a few minutes the man returning said, “Want me with you?  He got in easily.”

“No, but take the time when I enter and keep near.”  They waited.

“Nine-thirty now, sir.”

“Give me the full time.”

Penhallow went up the steps and knocked at the door.  It was opened and he went in.  “Shut the door quietly, Josiah—­open if the policeman knocks.  Now, be quiet, and if you hear a shot, or a big row call the police.”

The house below-stairs was in darkness.  He took off his shoes and went into a room on the first floor.  Striking a match, he saw only ordinary furniture.  The room back of it revealed to his failing match a roulette table.  He went out into the hall and up the stairs with the utmost caution to avoid noise.  On the second floor the door of the front room was ajar.  They must be careless and confident, he reflected as he entered.  A lighted candle on a pine table dimly illuminated a room in some confusion.