What had made it flare up like that and go out?
And whose footsteps had she heard?
With a chill feeling of fear she shut the door and turned again to her game.

But for once the charm of the cards failed her.

Where was Jasper, and why did he not return?
Silence held oppressive empire; her fears plucked at her like ghostly hands.

The lamp and the footstep--what did they mean?
Had she really heard a footstep?
She thought she saw something white in the uncurtained space of the window.

She buried her face in her hands, lacking the courage to cross the room and pull down the blind.
Mysterious noises overhead, like somebody creeping on all-fours, drew her eyes back to the door opening into the passage.