I thought I would try the door, but I knew that a guard was stationed in the hall, for I could see a dim light glimmer through the key-hole.

I took my knife and unscrewed the catch in which the lock was fastened, and soon found out that I could open the door; but then there was the guard, standing at the main entrance down stairs.

I peeped down, and he was quietly walking to and fro on his beat, every time looking to the hall.

I made up my mind by his measured tread as to how often he would pass the door, and one time, after he had just passed, I came out in the hall, and started to run down the steps.

About midway down the steps, one of them cracked very loud, but I ran on down in the lower hall and ran into a room, the door of which was open.