The blade hung from a peg in the wall by the head of her bed.

The pistols lay in a case on the table upon which her lighted bedroom candle stood.

They were charged and ready for use.
Throwing back the cover without a sound, presently she stepped through the hangings and out on the floor.

A loose wrapper lay at the foot of the bed, which was a tall old four-poster, heavily curtained.

Whoever was in the room was on the other side of the bed, near the wall.