"Come along, Doctor – don't dawdle!"
"I am not dawdling! Where are we going?"
"Back for another look at the house. I'm not easy in my mind about this matter."
"Oh."
I followed my new friend in silence for a moment; then a thought occurred to me.
"But Lestrade gave orders to not allow you on the premises!"
"Yes, I know. Your point?"
"He won't let you back in the house – neither will the constable outside," I replied, puzzled.
"Lestrade is long abed by this time, Doctor, and the constable will never see us around back," my companion said, tugging my arm to hurry me along the dark streets.
I halted.
"Around back?" I asked suspiciously.
"Yes, there's a conservatory entrance that is completely hidden from the road. We shan't be seen, don't worry."
"WHAT?"
"Keep your voice down! You want every bobby on the beat to hear us?"
"You can't just go breaking into houses, Holmes – it's against the law!"
"Yes, yes, I know. Shh, there's a policeman up ahead."
"Holmes!"
"Shh!"
We passed through an alley, finally reaching the back door of the house.
"Holmes! What if we get caught!"
"My, you are optimistic tonight, aren't you."
"Well?"
"My dear Doctor. One thing you had better learn about me right now, is that I am a very highly efficient burglar."