With him had perished all knowledge of the fact that a stranger was immured in the mansion.

If discovered then, prowling here in the inmost privacies of a gentleman's abode, what would befall the wanderer, already not unsuspected in the neighborhood of some underhand guilt as a fugitive?
If he adhered to the strict truth, what could he offer in his own defence without convicting himself of acts which, by English tribunals, would be accounted flagitious crimes?
Unless, indeed, by involving the memory of the deceased Squire Woodcock in his own self acknowledged proceedings, so ungenerous a charge should result in an abhorrent refusal to credit his extraordinary tale, whether as referring to himself or another, and so throw him open to still more grievous suspicions?
While wrapped in these dispiriting reveries, he heard a step not very far off in the passage.

It seemed approaching.

Instantly he flew to the jamb, which remained unclosed, and disappearing within, drew the stone after him by the iron knob.

Owing to his hurried violence the jamb closed with a dull, dismal and singular noise.