Theplacewaslocked，butHolmesremovedacircleofglassandturnedthekeyfromtheinside。Aninstantafterwardshehadclosedthedoorbehindus，andwehadbecomefelonsintheeyesofthelaw。Thethick，warmairoftheconservatoryandtherich，chokingfragranceofexoticplantstookusbythethroat。
Heseizedmyhandinthedarknessandledmeswiftlypastbanksofshrubswhichbrushedagainstourfaces。Holmeshadremarkablepowers，carefullycultivated，ofseeinginthedark。
Stillholdingmyhandinoneofhisheopenedadoor，andIwasvaguelyconsciousthatwehadenteredalargeroominwhichacigarhadbeensmokednotlongbefore。Hefelthiswayamongthefurniture，openedanotherdoor，andcloseditbehindus。
PuttingoutmyhandIfeltseveralcoatshangingfromthewall，andIunderstoodthatIwasinapassage。Wepassedalongit，andHolmesverygentlyopenedadoorupontheright—handside。
Somethingrushedoutatusandmyheartsprangintomymouth，butIcouldhavelaughedwhenIrealizedthatitwasthecat。