Billie shut off his electric torch and waited.
Then on the steps there appeared a foot, then another, until a whole human body was in sight. Then "click, snap!" and the light disappeared.
"By George!" exclaimed Billie under his breath, "there's a man on the stairs right opposite to me. Who on earth can it be?"
His first inclination was to turn on the light, but on second thought he decided not to.
"I'll let him set the copy," thought Billie. "It's a mighty good thing to be able to spring the surprise."
He drew his automatic and stood ready for any emergency.
It was still as a tomb.
He could hear his own heart beat and he could also hear the heavy breathing of the other man.
"Sounds like he had been running and was just catching his breath," was Billie's mental comment.
After some minutes the man's breathing became more quiet and Billie heard him slowly descending the stairs.