Chapter 4

Because he had omitted to pay the licence and Aunt Lilian had been obliged to , since he was away , as the weapon was in her house. Lucy did not switch on the electric light , but found her way to Stanley's room across the passage . Feeling in the dark she reached the dressing - table and fumbled with her hand for the drawer she wanted .

When she had it open her fingers closed immediately on the weapon ; it was not loaded , she knew . But it would be just as effective unloaded . She crept out on to the landing and listened intently before negotiating the stairs . Someone was moving about in the dining - room ; the door was shut but the light had been switched on ; she could see a gleam coming under the door. Not quite knowing what she intended to do , she started to descend the stairs very , very carefully ; she was afraid they might creak , but even if they did she did not suppose it would disturb the intruder in the dining - room ; stairs in old houses always do creak even if no one treads on them ...

Without making the slightest noise , however , she gained the dining - room door , and keeping the hand holding the revolver down by her side , slowly turned the door - knob ; it gave to her touch , the door opened and she was able to see inside . It had not been locked as she had anticipated . He was really a very careless burglar . Seated at the table enjoying a good meal from the remains which had not been cleared away after the last lodger had left was a young man with dark hair , merry blue eyes , a tall rangy figure , lean features and a bronzed skin . He was dressed in a tweed suit which had obviously come from a good tailor though it was now very worn , and his hands were clean nails well kept .

Not in the least Lucy 'beens conception of a burglar . ' Put your hands up , ' she ordered . I'll shoot you if you don't . ' The glass of beer , which he must have stolen from the pantry and had  in the act of raising to his lips , fell,