There was dead silence, except for a footfall overhead, which sounded heavier than Maxine's.

Perhaps it was her maid's.
For a few seconds more I stood still, awaiting developments, but there was no sound in the next room, and I decided to take my chance before it should be too late.
I jerked at the window, which yielded with a loud squeak that would certainly have given away the secret of my presence if there had been ears to hear.

But all was still in the drawing-room adjoining, and I dropped down on to a flower bed some few feet below.

Then I skirted round to the front of the house, walking stealthily on the soft grass, and would have made a noiseless dash for the gate had I not seen a stream of light flowing out through the open front door across the lawn.
I checked myself just in time to draw back without being seen by a woman and a tall man moving slowly down the path.

They were Maxine and, no doubt, du Laurier.