Then, overhead, across the lobby I heard my Cousin Tom's footsteps, and I nearly laughed to myself at the thought of the part that he must play, and of how ill he would play it.

And all the while the beating on the doors went on; and I heard voices through the lath and plaster from the back-hall; and then the sound of unbolting, and the knocking ceased on that side, though it still went on upon the, other.
My hiding-hole, as I have said, was in the very centre of the house; one side faced upon the back-hall; and the opposite down the front passage; and, of the other two, one upon the stairs and one upon the kitchen passage, and these two had the doors in them.

Above me was the lobby; and beneath me, first the little way into the back-hall, and beneath that the cellars.

It was strange how prominent the place was, and yet how well concealed.

One might live ten years in the house without suspecting its presence.
Presently the whole house was full of talking; and the front door was opened; and I heard a gentleman's voice speaking.