What motive, I asked, could induce a human being to inflict wanton injury?
I could not account for his delay; but how numberless were the contingencies that might occasion it! I was somewhat comforted by these reflections, but the consolation they afforded was short-lived.

I was listening with the utmost eagerness to catch the sound of a foot, when a noise was indeed heard, but totally unlike a step.

It was human breath struggling, as it were, for passage.
On the first effort of attention, it appeared like a groan.

Whence it arose I could not tell.

He that uttered it was near; perhaps in the room.
Presently the same noise was again heard, and now I perceived that it came from the bed.