The Amateur Cracksman

"'Now,' whispered Raffles, 'if there’s only one lock it’ll be in the middle. Joy! Here it is! Only, let me pick it, and we’re through at last.' "He withdrew his arm, a skeleton key was selected from the bunch, and then back went his arm to the shoulder. It was a breathless moment. I heard the heart throb¬bing in my body, the very watch ticking in my pocket, and ever and anon the tinkle-¬tinkle of the skeleton key. Then — at last — there came a single unmistakable click. In another minute the mahogany door and the iron gate yawned behind us; and Raffles was sitting on an office table, wiping his face, with the lantern throwing a steady beam by his side."