"Well, then, let us see what there is at the back of the house. Captain, you have eyes like a cat or an owl; just glance up and down the street to see if there is anyone about."
The Greek looked in all directions.
"Not even a mouse is stirring," said he.
So the three villains, drawing their cloaks closely round them, stole silently away from the shelter of the friendly doorway, where the foregoing conversation had taken place, and proceeded round to the back of the hotel.
To reach the point desired, they had, of course, to cross the road, which was tolerably wide, and then skirt a kind of paddock.
There were few stars to be seen, and the moon—a new one, and perhaps not yet fully acquainted with her business—was partly hidden behind some clouds, though not so entirely obscured but that the forms of the three brigands cast deep shadows on the ground.
But surely that is not a shadow, which as they move, moves also from an adjoining doorway, and follows them.
Like them, it is wrapped in a cloak; like them, it stalks along slowly and erect, but unlike them, it makes no noise.
Its footfall is silent as that of the panther lurking in the jungle.
Its very breath, if it has any, seems hushed.