I drew out the latch-key, blew in it to cleanse it from any dust, then, with very little difficulty, opened the door and entered Number 190.
CHAPTER III
THE SECOND VISIT AND ITS RESULT
The first thing which caught my attention was the wax candle with its glass shade standing on the raised flap which did duty for a hall table.
I at once lit the candle from the box of matches by it, and then, when it had burned up a little, proceeded at once to the kitchen staircase. The old lady had given me the latch-key with such a free hand that I felt myself fully justified in walking in; in fact, I rather wanted to take her by surprise if possible.
Nevertheless I made a little noise going downstairs to give her knowledge of my approach, and it was then that I thought I heard a window open somewhere at the back of the house.
I walked towards the end of the passage, and there I saw the glow of the fire reflected through the open door of the handsome sitting-room in which I had sat with the old lady on the previous day. It played upon the opposite wall as I advanced with a great air of comfort.
"Ten to one," I said to myself, "that I find the old lady asleep over the fire."
The room I found in darkness except for the firelight. I could see little within it. I paused on the threshold and made a polite inquiry.
"May I come in?" I asked in a tone intended to be loud enough to wake the old lady.