The other girls were sleeping quietly, and the rain was still beating against the window in heavy showers, for it was a stormy night.

The door of the bedroom stood wide open.

What was that sound coming up the stairs from the hall below?
It was certainly not the ticking of the clock.

It seemed more like muffled and stealthy footsteps.

In an instant Ingred was very wide awake indeed, and listening intently.