I made a bungling attempt to shut and lock the great door--failed in this; and heard behind me a roar of coarse triumph.

I waited for no more.

I darted up the oak staircase four steps at a time, and rushed into the great drawing-room on my left, banging the door behind me.
The once splendid room was in a state of strange disorder.

Some of the rich tapestry had been hastily torn down.

One window was closed and shuttered; no doubt Croisette had done it.