"It could not have been the wind, the shaking or creaking of the floor or windows?"
"Ah no, Monsieur, not at all as that."
"The steps quick, not slow; wasn't it?"
"Quick, sir, as one in haste and treading lightly would walk."
"And this as you sat in the butler's room?"
"Monsieur recollects exactly."
Varbarriere knew that the butler's room exactly underlay that dingy library that abutted on Sir Jekyl's bedchamber, and on that account had placed his sentinel to watch there.
"Always about the same time?" he asked.
"Very nearly, Monsieur, a few minutes, sometimes before, sometimes after; only trifle, in effect nothing," answered Jacques.
"Jacques, you must leave my door open, so that, should I want you, you can hear me call from the door of that dressing-room; take care you keep awake, but don't move."