Leaving Livingstone in the little passage for a moment Clark entered the first room--the front room--and Livingstone could hear him sending the occupants into a rear room.

He heard the communicating door close softly.

Every sound was suddenly hushed.

It was like the sudden hush of birds when a hawk appears.
Livingstone thought of it and a pang shot through him.

Then the door was opened and Clark somewhat stiffly invited Livingstone in.
The room was a small front parlor.
The furniture was old and worn, but it was not mean.