13324 The door at the bottom was closed but unlocked.
13325 We flung it open and rushed out.
13326 I can distinctly remember that as we did so there came three chimes from a neighbouring church.
13327 It was a quarter to ten.'
13328 'That is of enormous importance,' said Holmes, making a note upon his shirt cuff.
13329 'The night was very dark, and a thin, warm rain was falling.
13330 There was no one in Charles Street, but a great traffic was going on, as usual, in Whitehall, at the extremity.
13331 We rushed along the pavement, bareheaded as we were, and at the far corner we found a policeman standing.
13332 '"A robbery has been committed," I gasped.
13333 "A document of immense value has been stolen from the Foreign Office.
13334 Has anyone passed this way?'
13335 '"I have been standing here for a quarter of an hour, sir," said he; "only one person has passed during that time - a woman, tall and elderly, with a Paisley shawl."
13336 '"Ah, that is only my wife," cried the commissionaire.