She realized that it was done, and that here in her hand she held the packet.

A deep gasp of relief, of joy, of thankfulness, and she glided towards the door.
She groped for the latch, and in the act fancied his breathing was changed.

She paused, and bent her head to listen.

But the patter of the rain, drowning all sounds save those of the nearest origin, persuaded her that she was mistaken, and, finding the latch, she raised it, slipped like a shadow into the passage, and closed the door behind her.
That done she stood arrested, all the blood in her body running to her heart.

She must be dreaming! The passage in which she stood--the passage which she had left in black darkness--was alight; was so far lighted, at least, that to eyes fresh from the night, the figures of three men, grouped at the farther end, stood out against the glow of the lanthorn which they appeared to be trimming--for the two nearest were stooping over it.