I raised myself on an elbow and looked at Nobby.
His body was still curled, with his small strong legs tucked out of sight, but his head was raised, and he was listening intently.
I put my head on one side and did the same....
Only the hoot of a belated car faintly disturbed the silence.
I looked at my wrist-watch. This showed one minute to one. As I raised my eyes, an impatient clock somewhere confirmed its tale.
With a yawn I conjured the terrier to go to sleep and reached for the switch.
As I did so, he growled again.
With my fingers about the "push," I hesitated, straining my ears....
The next moment I was out of bed and fighting my way into my dressing-gown, while Nobby, his black nose clapped to the sill of the doorway, stood tense and rigid and motionless as death.
As I picked him up, he began to quiver, and I could feel his heart thumping, but he seemed to appreciate the necessity for silence, and licked my face noiselessly.