The breathing of the lightest of sleepers must have reached my ear, through that intense stillness, if the room had been a bedroom, and the bed were occupied.

I heard nothing but the quick beat of my own heart.

The minutes of suspense were passing heavily--I laid my other hand over the window-sill, then a moment of doubt came--doubt whether I should carry the adventure any further.

I mastered my hesitation directly--it was too late for second thoughts.
"Now for it!" I whispered to myself, and got in at the window.
To wait, listening again, in the darkness of that unknown region, was more than I had courage for.

The moment I was down on the floor, I pulled the lantern out of my pocket and raised the shade.
So far, so good--I found myself in a dirty lumber-room.