Very swiftly Sargon slipped out of bed and put on his dressing-gown and slippers. Hush! What was that?... Only some one snoring. Nothing more. He went out and stood on the landing. Brand slept on like a log.
The stone staircase was lit and empty and from the open door to the left downstairs came the harsh breathing of a sleeper. All the world seemed asleep for once, except Sargon and those friendly watchers outside the walls. Far away there were sounds of bawling and raving, but these were stifled by distance and an intervening door. They merely made the nearer silence more perceptible.
Something stirred, a little clicking sound that sent Sargon’s heart racing. Then a resonant blow. A second blow. It was nothing; it was the clock downstairs striking six.
Very quietly but very resolutely he walked downstairs. An intuition, an instinct impelled him. He felt and peered at the door and behold! it was ajar! Unbolted! Unlocked! Brand’s colleague was abroad upon some errand of his own. The cold air of freedom blew upon Sargon’s face.
The door opened and closed softly and Sargon stood upon the doorstep of the left wing of the asylum, facing the dim world of a November dawn.
It was dark but it was clear, a world of ebony outlines and colourless forms. Everything looked as if it had just been wiped over with a wet rag. It was cold, but it was cold without any of the hate and bitterness of wind.
He crossed the gravel drive and came to a stop and stood looking about him. The heavy building of the left wing rose above him, a vast bulk that went up into the paler darkness of the sky. It receded in perspective and the central block beyond looked like the ghost of a house. Here and there were orange-lit windows and others fainter lit by some remote reflected light. In the lodge to the left of the gates there was also a light. For where there is madness there is never perfect sleep.
But the asylum was as near complete silence that morning as an asylum can ever be.
He looked and listened. Not a footfall. It would not do to be found here by that other attendant....
But the man was snugly away somewhere. No one would loiter here in this chill air.