Over it was suspended what looked like a lampshade, but on
inspection it proved to contain no lamp, but to communicate, by a
sort of funnel, with the ceiling above.
At this contrivance Durham stared long and curiously, but without
coming to any conclusion respecting its purpose. He might have
investigated further, but he became aware of a dull and regular
sound in the room behind him.
He turned in a flash, staring in the direction of two curtains
draped before what he supposed to be a door.
On tiptoe he crossed and gently drew the curtains aside.
He looked into a small, cell-like room, lighted by one window,
where upon a low bed Huang Chow lay sleeping peacefully!
Durham almost held his breath; then, withdrawing as quietly as he
had approached, he descended the stair. At the foot his
attention was again arrested by the faint scuffling sound. It
ceased as suddenly as it had begun, leaving him wondering and
conscious anew of a chill of apprehension.
He had already made his plans for departure, but knew that they
must leave evidence, when discovered, of his visit.
A large and solid table stood near the divan, and he moved this
immediately under the trap. Upon it he laid a leopard-skin to
deaden any noise he might make, and then upon the leopard-skin he
set a massive chair: he replaced his torch in his pocket and drew
himself up on to the roof again.
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