I fancied I recognized young Rupert Hentzau's ringing tones, and pictured him flushed with wine.
Recalling my thoughts to the business in hand, I rested a moment.

If Johann's description were right, I must be near the window now.

Very slowly I moved; and out of the darkness ahead loomed a shape.

It was the pipe, curving from the window to the water: about four feet of its surface were displayed; it was as big round as two men.

I was about to approach it, when I saw something else, and my heart stood still.
The nose of a boat protruded beyond the pipe on the other side; and listening intently, I heard a slight shuffle--as of a man shifting his position.