Taking the kitchen lamp down from its hook, I made my way from cellar to cellar, and room to room; through pantry and coal-hole—­along passages, and into the hundred-and-one little blind alleys and hidden nooks that form the basement of the old house.  Then, when I knew I had been in every corner and cranny large enough to conceal aught of any size, I made my way to the stairs.

With my foot on the first step, I paused.  It seemed to me, I heard a movement, apparently from the buttery, which is to the left of the staircase.  It had been one of the first places I searched, and yet, I felt certain my ears had not deceived me.  My nerves were strung now, and, with hardly any hesitation, I stepped up to the door, holding the lamp above my head.  In a glance, I saw that the place was empty, save for the heavy, stone slabs, supported by brick pillars; and I was about to leave it, convinced that I had been mistaken; when, in turning, my light was flashed back from two bright spots outside the window, and high up.  For a few moments, I stood there, staring.  Then they moved—­revolving slowly, and throwing out alternate scintillations of green and red; at least, so it appeared to me.  I knew then that they were eyes.

Slowly, I traced the shadowy outline of one of the Things.  It appeared to be holding on to the bars of the window, and its attitude suggested climbing.  I went nearer to the window, and held the light higher.  There was no need to be afraid of the creature; the bars were strong, and there was little danger of its being able to move them.  And then, suddenly, in spite of the knowledge that the brute could not reach to harm me, I had a return of the horrible sensation of fear, that had assailed me on that night, a week previously.  It was the same feeling of helpless, shuddering fright.  I realized, dimly, that the creature’s eyes were looking into mine with a steady, compelling stare.  I tried to turn away; but could not.  I seemed, now, to see the window through a mist.  Then, I thought other eyes came and peered, and yet others; until a whole galaxy of malignant, staring orbs seemed to hold me in thrall.

My head began to swim, and throb violently.  Then, I was aware of a feeling of acute physical pain in my left hand.  It grew more severe, and forced, literally forced, my attention.  With a tremendous effort, I glanced down; and, with that, the spell that had held me was broken.  I realized, then, that I had, in my agitation, unconsciously caught hold of the hot lamp-glass, and burnt my hand, badly.  I looked up to the window, again.  The misty appearance had gone, and, now, I saw that it was crowded with dozens of bestial faces.  With a sudden access of rage, I raised the lamp, and hurled it, full at the window.  It struck the glass (smashing a pane), and passed between two of the bars, out into the garden, scattering burning oil as it went.  I heard several loud cries of pain, and, as my sight became accustomed to the dark, I discovered that the creatures had left the window.