I went again into the garden, but this time with greater caution.

It was a clear night, and, although there was no moon, I could see without the aid of my lantern.

I stole quietly along the drive.
When I came round to the front door, I noticed immediately that the shutters of one of the ground-floor windows were swung back, and that the inside glass window which descended to the ground stood open.

The sight gave me a shock.

Within the house those shutters had been opened.
I felt the blood turn to ice in my veins and a chill crept along my spine.