I put my hand through the broken window, and shook the bar.  It was as firm as a rock.  Perhaps the creatures had tried to ‘start’ it, and, finding it beyond their power, ceased from the effort.  After that, I went ’round to each of the windows, in turn; examining them with careful attention; but nowhere else could I trace anything to show that there had been any tampering.  Having finished my survey, I went back to the study, and poured myself out a little brandy.  Then to the tower to watch.

VIII

AFTER THE ATTACK

It was now about three a.m., and, presently, the Eastern sky began to pale with the coming of dawn.  Gradually, the day came, and, by its light, I scanned the gardens, earnestly; but nowhere could I see any signs of the brutes.  I leant over, and glanced down to the foot of the wall, to see whether the body of the Thing I had shot the night before was still there.  It was gone.  I supposed that others of the monsters had removed it during the night.

Then, I went down on to the roof, and crossed over to the gap from which the coping stone had fallen.  Reaching it, I looked over.  Yes, there was the stone, as I had seen it last; but there was no appearance of anything beneath it; nor could I see the creatures I had killed, after its fall.  Evidently, they also had been taken away.  I turned, and went down to my study.  There, I sat down, wearily.  I was thoroughly tired.  It was quite light now; though the sun’s rays were not, as yet, perceptibly hot.  A clock chimed the hour of four.

I awoke, with a start, and looked ’round, hurriedly.  The clock in the corner, indicated that it was three o’clock.  It was already afternoon.  I must have slept for nearly eleven hours.

With a jerky movement, I sat forward in the chair, and listened.  The house was perfectly silent.  Slowly, I stood up, and yawned.  I felt desperately tired, still, and sat down again; wondering what it was that had waked me.

It must have been the clock striking, I concluded, presently; and was commencing to doze off, when a sudden noise brought me back, once more, to life.  It was the sound of a step, as of a person moving cautiously down the corridor, toward my study.  In an instant, I was on my feet, and grasping my rifle.  Noiselessly, I waited.  Had the creatures broken in, whilst I slept?  Even as I questioned, the steps reached my door, halted momentarily, and then continued down the passage.  Silently, I tiptoed to the doorway, and peeped out.  Then, I experienced such a feeling of relief, as must a reprieved criminal—­it was my sister.  She was going toward the stairs.