I saw no one else.

It was already dusk between the walls, though light enough in the open country; but that was in my favour, my only regret; being that as the town gates closed shortly after half-past five, I could not defer my attempt until a still later hour.
Pausing in the shadow of the house while a man might count ten, I impressed on my memory the position of the particular window which bore the knot; then I passed quickly into the street, which was still full of movement, and for a second, feeling myself safe from observation in the crowd, I stood looking at the front of the house.

The door was shut.

My heart sank when I saw this, for I had looked to find it still open.
The feeling, however, that I could not wait, though time might present more than one opportunity, spurred me on.

What I could do I must do now, at once.