s! I hit
just on my knee-pan. I shall die here. Now will they wake up? Well,
let them! Boldness and crossness come to my aid. Forward! Now I have
passed through the dining-room: I reach the door and shove it open,
but the confounded hinge creaks. Never mind! Now I'm going up the
stairs--one! two! one! two! One step creaks beneath my tread: I look
down angrily, as if I could see it. Now the second door! I seize the
handle: it does not rattle. It swings softly open. Thank Heaven! I'm
in the entry at last. In the upper entry is a little window beneath
the roof. The faint light of the night-sky shines through the dim
panes, and by the uncertain light I make out our maid-servant lying on
a fur robe on the floor, her tangled head supported by both hands. She
sleeps soundly, with light, quick breathing, and just behind her head
is the fatal door. I step over the robe, over the girl. Who was it
opened the door? I don't know, but I am in my aunt's room. There
is the lamp in one corner and the bed in the other, and my aunt in
night-gown and cap in bed with her face toward me. She is asleep; she
does not stir; even her breathing is inaudible. The flame of the lamp
wavers slightly with the fresh draught, and the shadows dance through
the whole room and on my aunt's yellow, waxen hair.

And there is the watch! It is hanging behind the bed in an embroidered
watch-pocket on the wall. That's lucky! I hesitate, but there is no
use in delaying. But what are these--soft, quick footsteps behind me?
Oh no, it is only my heart beating. I take a step forward. Heavens!
Something round and quite large touches me just below the knee once
and then again. I am on the point of crying out: I am near sinking to
the ground with terror. A striped cat, our cat, stands before me
with her back curved and her tail in the air. Now she jumps on the
bed--heavily but softly--turns round and sits without purring, looking
at me with her yellow eyes as grave as a judge. "Puss! puss!" I
whisper hardly above my breath, and leaning over her and over my aunt,
I take hold of the watch. Suddenly my aunt raises herself, and opens
her eyes wide. Heavens! what is going to happen now? But the lids
quiver and close, and with a gentle murmur her head sinks back on the
cushion. Another moment and I am back in my own room, in bed, with the
watch in my hand. I come back lighter than a feather. I am a man; I am
a thief; I am a hero. I am breathless with joy; I glow with pride;