"Listen!" said Cicely suddenly. "I thought I heard a queer noise."
There certainly was a most extraordinary sound issuing from the room opposite. It resembled somebody groaning, or giving long-drawn, sighing breaths. It went on for a few moments and then stopped, then commenced louder than before, and finally died away altogether.
"What is it?" whispered Cicely, rather nervously.
"I don't know, but I'm going to look and see."
"Oh! Dare you? I hope it's nothing that will bounce out!"
"SHE OPENED THE DOOR CAUTIOUSLY"
"Nonsense! Why should it?"
"It might. Do be careful!"