In two seconds he had scrambled through the window into Jones' flat.

It was done so noiselessly that the colored servant in the room directly
opposite, across the narrow shaft, was not disturbed in her reading.

From the bath-room Nick made his way to the hall, and thence to the
parlor, where Mr. Jones--to judge by the light in the window observed by
Musgrave--had decided to spend the evening.

Mr. Jones was not visible when Nick looked into the room.

The bedroom adjoining was also empty.

Nick ran through the flat, but saw nobody. He returned to the parlor,
and there stood Mr. Jones under the chandelier.

"Well, upon my word!" exclaimed Jones, "how did you get here?"

"I might ask you the same," said Nick, "but it isn't worth while."

"I've been here all the time."

"Except when you were on the roof."

"Nonsense! What should I be doing on the roof."

"It wasn't what you were doing; it was what you were undoing that
bothered me. You were undoing the knot with which I fastened my rope
before I descended your air shaft to get a peep at your servant."