A single look satisfied me on that point; forthwith, without hesitation, I turned to the stairs and began to mount, assured that if I would effect anything single-handed I must trust to audacity and surprise rather than to caution or forethought.
The staircase was poorly lighted by loopholes looking towards the rear, but it was clean and well-kept.

Silence, broken only by the sound of my footsteps, prevailed throughout the house, and all seemed so regular and decent and orderly that the higher I rose the lower fell my hopes of success.

Still, I held resolutely on until I reached the second floor and stood before a closed door.

The moment had come to put all to the touch.

I listened for a few seconds but hearing nothing, cautiously lifted the latch.