"What coast?" said Jacqueline. "I don't even see any water."

"Never mind," said Blood wryly. "I suppose I was being a bit melodramatic. It

just feels very odd to be on the other side of the law for a change."

"You never know, you might get used to it," she said, smiling. "Come on,

Sebastian. Let's go quickly while the coast remains clear."

Makepeace chuckled, and Blood gave him a disgusted look. They crossed the

street, and Blood tried the gate. "It's locked," he said, frowning.

Jacqueline rolled her eyes. "I hope, mon ami, that you are a far better

policeman than you are a burglar," she said. "Stand aside and keep a lookout."

She reached into her jacket pocket and brought out a cased set of lock picks.

She was about to select one when Makepeace taped her on the shoulder and

shook

his head.

"Don't bother," he said. He waggled his fingers at the gate, and with a click

it

unlocked and quietly swung open.

"Sebastian, my love, you are wasting your talents in that university," she

said.

"When this is over, you and I really must have a long talk."

"Please, do you mind?" said Blood. "I'd appreciate it if you would discuss

your

impending criminal partnership some other time. I am a policeman, after all,

remember?"

"Oui, mon cher," Jacqueline said. "One who is about to commit his first

offense

of breaking and entering." She pushed open the black wrought-iron gate and

beckoned him in with a grin. "After you, Chief Inspector."

They closed the gate behind them and went up the short walk to the front

door.

"Well, it looks like a rather ordinary garden to me," said Blood, glancing

around. "And not much of one, at mat. A few shrubs, some creeping ivy, but no

black roses."

"Are you sure?" Jacqueline said. She pointed at the front door. "Look."

On either side of the carved front door were decorative stained-glass window

panels with a black floral design on a bright red-and-violet background.

"I'll be damned," Makepeace said. "Black roses."

"I knew it!" Jacqueline said excitedly.

She ran up the steps to the front door.

"You mean, we're simply going to walk right in the front door?" said Blood.

"Why not?" said Jacqueline. "I think it will arouse less suspicion than if

someone were to see us trying to force open a widow in the back. Besides,

having