Whatever it was, it had gained the summit of its desires,—­the window-sill.  It panted as if its efforts at climbing had made it short of breath.  Then began the tapping.  In the light of my new discovery, I perceived, clearly enough, that the tapping was hardly that which was likely to be the product of human fingers,—­ it was sharp and definite, rather resembling the striking of the point of a nail against the glass.  It was not loud, but in time—­ it continued with much persistency—­it became plainly vicious.  It was accompanied by what I can only describe as the most extraordinary noises.  There were squeaks, growing angrier and shriller as the minutes passed; what seemed like gaspings for breath; and a peculiar buzzing sound like, yet unlike, the purring of a cat.

The creature’s resentment at its want of success in attracting attention was unmistakable.  The tapping became like the clattering of hailstones; it kept up a continuous noise with its cries and pantings; there was the sound as of some large body being rubbed against the glass, as if it were extending itself against the window, and endeavouring, by force of pressure, to gain an entrance through the pane.  So violent did its contortions become that I momentarily anticipated the yielding of the glass, and the excited assailant coming crashing through.  Considerably to my relief the window proved more impregnable than seemed at one time likely.  The stolid resistance proved, in the end, to be too much either for its endurance or its patience.  Just as I was looking for some fresh manifestation of fury, it seemed rather to tumble than to spring off the sill; then came, once more, the same sound of quietly retreating footsteps; and what, under the circumstances, seemed odder still, the same closing of the gate.

During the two or three hours which immediately ensued nothing happened at all out of the way,—­and then took place the most surprising incident of all.  The clock had struck ten some time before.  Since before the striking of the hour nothing and no one had passed along what was evidently the little frequented road in front of that uncanny house.  On a sudden two sounds broke the stillness without,—­of someone running, and of cries.  Judging from his hurrying steps someone seemed to be flying for his life,—­to the accompaniment of curious cries.  It was only when the runner reached the front of the house that, in the cries, I recognised the squeaks of the persistent caller.  I imagined that he had returned, as before, alone, to renew his attacks upon the window, —­until it was made plain, as it quickly was, that, with him, was some sort of a companion.  Immediately there arose, from without, the noise of battle.  Two creatures, whose cries were, to me, of so unusual a character, that I found it impossible to even guess at their identity, seemed to be waging war to the knife upon the doorstep.  After a minute or two of furious contention, victory seemed to rest with one of the combatants, for the