He found himself in an enormously large apartment, which was more than a third filled with goods of various descriptions. The windows of the warehouse were covered with dust and dirt, and the place was in comparative darkness. Peace carried no dark lantern with him on this expedition; but he had provided himself with a box of silent lucifers, which were warranted to “ignite only on the box.” He struck one of these, and was about to take his way up the stairs to make an inspection of the upper portions of the building when, much to his surprise and chagrin, he was confronted by the night watchman, who emerged from a wooden hutch in one of the corners of the warehouse. “You audacious scoundrel!” exclaimed the watchman, springing like a panther upon Peace, in so sudden a manner that he had no time to elude the man’s grasp. “Leave go,” cried Peace, in a voice of concentrated passion; “unhand me, or it will be worse for you.” “I’m not going to part with you so easily――you’re my prisoner,” answered the porter, winding big fingers around the collar. “You’re caught, my gaol-bird, this time, and no mistake.” The lighted lucifer had fallen from Peace’s hand upon the first assault, and the two men were struggling for the mastery in comparative darkness. Physically speaking, the watchman was the most powerful of the two, but he had neither the skill, coolness, nor cunning of his more wary opponent. The struggle was a short but desperate one. The burglar tried every feint and dodge to gain an advantage. By a sudden and adroit movement he tripped up the watchman, who fell on his back, his antagonist falling upon him at the same moment. Peace lost no time in making the best use of the advantage gained: he placed his knee on the man’s chest, and removed his hands from about his throat. In another moment the burglar was sent backwards by a well-directed blow from his antagonist’s clenched fist. The watchman ran to the door which he opened, then in a stentorian voice he shouted out―― “Help! Murder! Police――police!” The cries for assistance were taken up and repeated by one or more persons in the street. Peace made for the wide open staircase which he began to ascend rapidly. The watchman, perceiving this, gave chase. The burglar seeing that another struggle was imminent, and being in no way desirous of risking the chances of a second encounter, had recourse to a cunning stratagem. He waited at the top of the first landing for his pursuer who rushed forward, never for a moment dreaming of the reception that was in store for him. Peace waited till the man came within reasonable distance; he then kicked out with his right leg and struck his pursuer with his foot full in the face. The latter rolled from the top of the first flight of stairs to the bottom. Peace heard strange voices below, which he concluded, naturally enough, proceeded either from the police or a chance passenger in the street.