Tim's hand closed on my arm as the sound began again; and presently we heard, for we could not see, the door move back.
I never wish again for a moment like that.

If I could have shouted I would have done so.

All we could do was to crouch, rooted to the spot, and wait with throbbing hearts for what was to happen.

As the footsteps halted a moment at the open door my quick ears seemed to detect the rustle of a dress, and next moment what sounded like a sob, or it might have been only a moan of the wind outside, broke the silence.
Then the steps advanced direct for us.

Even the moon had deserted us, and by no straining of our eyes could we detect who the stranger was, even when she (for by the rustling sound we were positive it was a woman) reached the hearth and stood motionless within a foot of us.
Reach out we could not; stir we durst not; all we could do was to wait and listen.
It is strange what, when all other senses fail, the ear will do for one.
I at least could tell that this strange intruder was a woman, and that the dress she wore was of silk.