With the light in his hand, he opened the door; but there was no one there, and not a sound of any kind could be heard.

He walked about the hall in his bare feet, and listened attentively at the doors of several of the chambers, especially at that of Mr.Pembroke, the invalid gentleman whom, with his daughter, he had brought home as a passenger in the captured Vixen.
Christy heard nothing, and he silently descended the stairs to the lower hall.

All was as quiet there as upon the floor above, and he had begun to think that the impression he had received had been given him in a dream, though he could not remember that he had been dreaming.

But when he came to the front door, he found it was ajar.

It was usually secured by a spring lock, and those who were liable to be out in the evening were provided with night-keys.
At the present time his father was in Washington, and he could not have neglected to close the door.