He softly tried the door, and found it locked--the robbers having no doubt taken that precaution, to prevent their being surprised at their thieving work by any person in the house.
The one other way of getting into the room, was the way that we had tried.

He went round to the back garden, and found an empty chaise drawn up outside the door.

This circumstance thoroughly puzzled him.

But for the mysterious locking of the workshop door, it would have suggested to him nothing more alarming than the arrival of some unexpected visitors.
Eager to solve the mystery, he crossed the garden; and, entering the room, found himself face to face with the same two men whom Jicks had discovered ten days previously lounging against the wall.
As he approached the window, they were both busily engaged, with their backs towards him, in cording up the packing-case which contained the metal plates.
They rose and faced him as he stepped into the room.

The act of robbery which he found them coolly perpetrating in broad daylight, instantly set his irritable temper in a flame.