The windows opened to the floor; but by great good fortune the lower part of the shutters had been closed, and this concealed him from the neighbours.

Here, then, Markheim drew in a packing case before the cabinet, and began to search among the keys.

It was a long business, for there were many; and it was irksome, besides; for, after all, there might be nothing in the cabinet, and time was on the wing.

But the closeness of the occupation sobered him.

With the tail of his eye he saw the door--even glanced at it from time to time directly, like a besieged commander pleased to verify the good estate of his defences.