Razumovranforwardunsteadily，withparted，voicelesslips。Theouterdoorstoodopen。Staggeringoutonthelanding，heleanedfaroverthebanister。Gazingdownintothedeepblackshaftwithatinyglimmeringflameatthebottom，hetracedbyeartherapidspiraldescentofsomebodyrunningdownthestairsontiptoe。Itwasalight，swift，patteringsound，whichsankawayfromhimintothedepths：afleetingshadowpassedovertheglimmer——awinkofthetinyflame。Thenstillness。
Razumovhungover，breathingthecoldrawairtaintedbytheevilsmellsoftheuncleanstaircase。Allquiet。
Hewentbackintohisroomslowly，shuttingthedoorsafterhim。
Thepeacefulsteadylightofhisreading—lampshoneonthewatch。
Razumovstoodlookingdownatthelittlewhitedial。Itwantedyetthreeminutestomidnight。Hetookthewatchintohishandfumblingly。