It stopped, advanced again, then seemed to go quite round it.

Having done that, it came beneath the window, and a head looked in.
It was strongly relieved against the darkness outside by the glare of the guttering candles.

A pale, worn, withered face; the eyes--but that was owing to its gaunt condition--unnaturally large and bright; the hair, a grizzled black.

It gave a searching glance all round the room, and a deep voice said: 'Are you alone in this house ?' John made no sign, though the question was repeated twice, and he heard it distinctly.

After a moment's pause, the man got in at the window.
John was not at all surprised at this, either.