In the blackness a faint streak of light showed the location of the crack in the wall.
I had to slip in sidewise.

It was a tight squeeze, but I entered without the slightest sound.

If my position were to be betrayed it would not be from noise.

As I progressed the passage grew a very little wider in that direction, and this fact gave rise to the thought that in case of a necessary and hurried exit I would do best by working toward the patio.
It seemed a good deal of time was consumed in reaching my vantage-point.
When I did get there the crack was a foot over my head.

If I had only been tall like Steele! There was nothing to do but find toe-holes in the crumbling walls, and by bracing knees on one side, back against the other, hold myself up to the crack.
Once with my eye there I did not care what risk I ran.