In fact, I had half a mind to-- As I reached this point a sudden noise made my blood run cold, and froze me to my bed.
It did not seem to be in the dormitory, or on the stairs outside, or in the quadrangle below.

None of my companions appeared to have heard it, for they all slept on quietly, and the silence which followed was doubly as intense as that which had gone before.

What could it be?
I do not fancy I was a particularly cowardly boy, but somehow that sound terrified me.

I could neither move nor call out.

All I could do was to lie and listen.
There it was again! this time not so sudden, but far more distinct.
There was no mistaking it now.