It was past in a moment, and I listened again, and heard the footstep stumble in coming on.
Remembering then, that the staircase-lights were blown out, I took up my reading-lamp and went out to the stair-head.

Whoever was below had stopped on seeing my lamp, for all was quiet.
"There is some one down there, is there not ?" I called out, looking down.
"Yes," said a voice from the darkness beneath.
"What floor do you want ?" "The top.

Mr.Pip." "That is my name .-- There is nothing the matter ?" "Nothing the matter," returned the voice.

And the man came on.
I stood with my lamp held out over the stair-rail, and he came slowly within its light.

It was a shaded lamp, to shine upon a book, and its circle of light was very contracted; so that he was in it for a mere instant, and then out of it.