I circled the square and entered it from the lower side.

My big brick mansion, with its stone trimmings--the home where I had held my revels and entertained my friends, where I had worked and slept--was but a stone's throw away.

I strained my eyes to detect any signs of the police; but the street was empty.

Then, pulling my hat down upon my head, I turned up my coat-collar and, glancing from side to side, hurried across the square and let myself in.
The household still slept.

The air was close and heavy with the perfume of roses and the reek of dead cigars.