Thefourpoundsaweekwasalurewhichmustdrawhim，andwhatwasittothem，whowereplayingforthousands？Theyputintheadvertisement，oneroguehasthetemporaryoffice，theotherrogueincitesthemantoapplyforit，andtogethertheymanagetosecurehisabsenceeverymorningintheweek。FromthetimethatIheardoftheassistanthavingcomeforhalfwages，itwasobvioustomethathehadsomestrongmotiveforsecuringthesituation。“
“Buthowcouldyouguesswhatthemotivewas？“
“Hadtherebeenwomeninthehouse，Ishouldhavesuspectedamerevulgarintrigue。That，however，wasoutofthequestion。Theman’sbusinesswasasmallone，andtherewasnothinginhishousewhichcouldaccountforsuchelaboratepreparations，andsuchanexpenditureastheywereat。Itmustthenbesomethingoutofthehouse。Whatcoulditbe？Ithoughtoftheassistant’sfondnessforphotography，andhistrickofvanishingintothecellar。Thecellar！Therewastheendofthistangledclew。ThenImadeinquiriesastothismysteriousassistant，andfoundthatIhadtodealwithoneofthecoolestandmostdaringcriminalsinLondon。
Hewasdoingsomethinginthecellar——somethingwhichtookmanyhoursadayformonthsonend。Whatcoulditbe，oncemore？I
couldthinkofnothingsavethathewasrunningatunneltosomeotherbuilding。