He had once been told that it was always through the more trivial contingency that the criminal was ultimately trapped.
He strained his ears, and listened.

He could hear nothing.

Yet he was positive that he could feel some approaching presence.

It may have been a minute vibration of flooring; it may have been through the operation of some occult sixth sense.

But he was sure of that mysterious Other, coming closer and closer to him.
Suddenly something seemed to stir and move in the darkness.