He struck a match quickly, to find a great rat sitting up and looking at him with black, beady eyes.

It was the only sign of life he found in the whole building.
When he had finished his search, he came down to the ground floor and entered the room corresponding with the one from which he had heard voices in the adjoining house.

He crouched here upon the dusty boards for some time, listening.

Now and then he fancied that he could still hear voices on the other side of the wall, but he was never absolutely certain.
At last he rose to stretch himself, and almost as he did so a fresh sound from outside attracted his notice.

A motor-car had turned into the Terrace.