For a single instant the bathroom was flooded with light.
The window shades across the airshaft were up, and the gas in the back parlor of the opposite flat was burning brightly.
The detective saw a white-haired man sitting up in bed with a look of terror on his wrinkled face.
In front of the bed stood a masked man, holding a revolver within an inch of the old man’s forehead.
By the side of the dresser stood another masked figure, eagerly raking off the articles of jewelry which the old man had placed there on retiring.
The thief’s hand was, for an instant, clearly outlined against the pure white marble of the dresser.
In a second the light went out and the place was in darkness once more.
Nick sprang toward the door.
His purpose now was to reach the stairway below before the burglars descended, and there arrest them both.
As he sprang through the bathroom door he felt himself seized from behind.