Falkner quietly slipped into the passage.

The light of the candle faintly illuminated the floor and opposite wall, but left it on either side in pitchy obscurity.
For some moments the silence was broken only by the sound of the rain without.

The recumbent figure in bed seemed to have actually succumbed to sleep.

The multitudinous small noises of a house in repose might have been misinterpreted by ears less keen than the sleeper's; but when the apparent creaking of a far-off shutter was followed by the sliding apparition of a dark head of tangled hair at the door, Lee had not been deceived, and was as prepared as if he had seen it.

Another step, and the figure entered the room.