Chapter Twenty One.
What the Sound was.
A faint rustle was plainly heard, as Capel drew aside the curtain. Then the sound ceased, but he felt that as he had taken a step to the left, Katrine must be exactly opposite to him. In another moment she would come forward and touch him, for he could not move from his position. If he stood aside she would pass him and fasten him in the room.
He listened in the intense darkness, and could just detect the short, hurried breathing of one who was excited by dread.
But as he listened in the darkness, clear now of the heavy curtain, he heard another sound—a peculiar scraping sound, that seemed to come from outside the window.
It was that which had alarmed Katrine, and made her extinguish the light.
The noise ceased. Then it was repeated, and directly after, sounding muffled by the heavy curtain, the window rattled a little in its frame, as if shaken or pressed upon by some one outside.
The panting grew louder, there was a warm breath upon Capel’s cheek, and the next moment he held Katrine in his arms.
She uttered a low cry of fear, and struggled to escape.
“Hush!” he whispered. “You have nothing to fear. Are you awake?”