Here he rested for a moment or two against the wall, feeling inwardly grateful that a Mediterranean climate still made possible Monaco's primitive outside plumbing--to the initiated, he inwardly remarked, such things had always their unlooked-for advantages.

He also felt both relieved and grateful to see that the two windows between him and his destination had been left shuttered against the heat of the afternoon sun.

The third window he could see, was not thus barricaded, although, as he had expected, the sash itself was securely locked.
Once convinced of this, he dropped down, stealthily, and lay full length on the balcony flooring, with his ear close against the casement woodwork, listening.

Reasonably satisfied, he rose to his knees, and took from his vest pocket a small diamond ring.

Holding this firmly between his thumb and forefinger, he described a semi-circle on the heavy window-glass.