'It was in the street, I think.

Hark! Yes.
There again! 'Tis some one knocking softly at the shutter.

Who can it be!' They had been speaking in a low tone, for the invalid lay overhead, and the walls and ceilings being thin and poorly built, the sound of their voices might otherwise have disturbed his slumber.

The party without, whoever it was, could have stood close to the shutter without hearing anything spoken; and, seeing the light through the chinks and finding all so quiet, might have been persuaded that only one person was there.
'Some thief or ruffian maybe,' said the locksmith.

'Give me the light.' 'No, no,' she returned hastily.