It was strange! What did it mean?
He had nerved himself to a quick, desperate attempt, trusting to surprise and his own wit and agility for victory--there had seemed no other way than that, since he had seen those four men at the corner--since they were AHEAD of him.

True, they were not much ahead of him, not enough to have accomplished their purpose--and, furthermore, they were not in that room.

He knew that absolutely, beyond question of doubt.

He had listened for just that all the nerve-racking way up the stairs.

But where were they?
There was no sound--not a sound--just blackness, dark, impenetrable, utter, that began to palpitate now.
It came in a whisper, wavering, sibilant--from his left.