One struck, and two, and we had almost for the second time given it up in despair when in an instant we both sat bolt upright in our chairs with all our weary senses keenly on the alert once more.

We had heard the creak of a step in the passage.
Very stealthily we heard it pass along until it died away in the distance.

Then the baronet gently opened his door and we set out in pursuit.

Already our man had gone round the gallery and the corridor was all in darkness.

Softly we stole along until we had come into the other wing.