13702 'It sounds incredible, for I have not, as far as I know, an enemy in the world.
13703 Yet from last night's experience I can come to no other conclusion.'
13704 'Pray let me hear it.'
13705 'You must know that last night was the very first night that I have ever slept without a nurse in the room.
13706 I was so much better that I thought I could dispense with one.
13707 I had a night-light burning, however.
13708 Well, about two in the morning I had sunk into a light sleep, when I was suddenly aroused by a slight noise.
13709 It was like the sound which a mouse makes when it is gnawing a plank, and I lay listening to it for some time under the impression that it must come from that cause.
13710 Then it grew louder, and suddenly there came from the window a sharp metallic snick.
13711 I sat up in amazement.
13712 There could be no doubt what the sounds were now.
13713 The faint ones had been caused by someone forcing an instrument through the slit between the sashes, and the second by the catch being pressed back.
13714 'There was a pause then for about ten minutes, as if the person were waiting to see whether the noise had awoken me.
13715 Then I heard a gentle creaking as the window was very slowly opened.