I could hear a sound as of some one groping on the floor and the faint rattle as of coins.
My hair was now perpendicular.

My reader can blame it or not, but it was.
Then at this very moment from somewhere below in the building there came the sound of a prolonged and piercing cry, a cry as of a soul passing in agony.

My reader may censure me or not, but right at this moment I decided to beat it.

Whether I should have remained to see what was happening is a question that I will not discuss.

My one idea was to get out, and to get out quickly.