Then he passed a farm, and the motions of horses came through the dark, and a doubtful crow from a young inexperienced cock, who did not yet know the moon from the sun.

Then a sleepy low in his ear startled him, and made him quicken his pace involuntarily.
By the time he reached Rothieden all the lights were out, and this was just what he wanted.
The economy of Dooble Sanny's abode was this: the outer door was always left on the latch at night, because several families lived in the house; the soutar's workshop opened from the passage, close to the outer door, therefore its door was locked; but the key hung on a nail just inside the soutar's bedroom.

All this Robert knew.
Arrived at the house, he lifted the latch, closed the door behind him, took off his shoes once more, like a housebreaker, as indeed he was, although a righteous one, and felt his way to and up the stair to the bedroom.

There was a sound of snoring within.

The door was a little ajar.