It sounded as though someone had flung down a lamp; and the window went dark and black.

At the same instant a cry rang out, shrill in the night: "Help, help! Michael, help!" and was followed by a shriek of utter terror.
I was tingling in every nerve.

I stood on the topmost step, clinging to the threshold of the gate with my right hand and holding my sword in my left.

Suddenly I perceived that the gateway was broader than the bridge; there was a dark corner on the opposite side where a man could stand.

I darted across and stood there.