A reproachful word was trembling on her lips, when suddenly he put out his hand.
"Hist!" he whispered, the concentrated look of one who listens stamped upon his face.

His sharp ears had detected some sound which--perhaps through her preoccupation--she had not noticed.

He stepped quickly to the Captain's side, and taking up the lamp by its chain, he leapt into the air like a clown, and came down on his heels with a thud that shook the chamber.

Simultaneously he dropped the lamp with a clatter, and sent a shout re-echoing through the house.
The girl stared at him with parted lips and the least look of fear in her eyes.

Was he gone clean mad of a sudden?
But now the sound which had warned him of someone's approach reached her ears as well.