Furtive

Rudolf looked about him furtively as he crouched deep in the shadows. It was not the first time that he had visited the house, but it was the first time that he had visited it in this particular capacity. He had been in the house earlier as one of the many nameless guests seemingly invited to populate the rather sparse party of the who's who---the rich town was small, and didn't really have enough of the rich and powerful to justify the throwing of a lavish party. He had sneaked in according to plan, and done a survey of the layout of the house, locating where the ``Heart of the Matter'' was kept. It was hard to miss it though, considering that the party was thrown in order to show off that particular piece of gemstone. But unlike the other revellers, he paid more attention than they over the minutae.

And now, he was waiting in the dark, checking for the right opportunity to strike.