“They will do nothing until our red-haired friend is in bed. After that they will not lose a minute.

“By now, Dr. Watson, I’m sure you know where we are,” Holmes went on. “We are in a room under the City Bank. Mr. Merryweather here is the head of the bank. I’ll let him tell you why John Clay will soon enter this basement.”

“It is our French gold,” the banker whispered. “Over thirty thousand pounds’ worth.” He bit his nails and looked sad. “We were afraid something like this would happen.”

“Don’t worry,” said Holmes. “It will all be over soon. And now we must cover the lamp. I’m afraid we will have to wait in the dark. But first let’s get in place. These are very dangerous men. We will have to be careful. I will hide behind this box. You men hide over there. Wait till I flash the light. Then close in on them. Watson, keep your gun ready. If they fire, shoot them down in their tracks.”

I bent down behind a wooden box. I kept my gun hand on top of the box. I was ready for anything.

How long that wait seemed! Later I learned that we had waited only an hour and a quarter. But it felt like all night. I tried not to move. I was afraid to make a sound. I could hear the other men breathing.

Suddenly my eyes caught a flash of light on the floor. The flash got larger. It became a yellow line. Then a hole opened.