"Hullo! Here is someone coming! Don't speak, and p'r'aps they won't discover us.

They can't stay long." He rose swiftly with the words and blocked the little spy-hole with his body.

Certainly footsteps were approaching, but they ceased before they reached the alcove at the end of the passage.

There was another settee midway.
"Oh, this is quite comfortable," said a woman's voice.

"Here I am, Major Shirley! It's dark, isn't it, but rather a relief after the glare downstairs.