The emptiness of the house seemed almost apparent.
There was not a sound anywhere.
"The servants' wing is right over the stables, a long way off," Cecil remarked.

"They could never hear a bell there that rang from any of the living-rooms." Forrest nodded.
"So much the better," he said.

"Come along to the library.

I have everything ready there." They crossed the hall and entered the room to which Forrest pointed.
Their footsteps seemed to awake echoes upon the stone floor.

The hall, too, was all unlit save for the lamp which Forrest was carrying.