One o’clock
Twelve o'clock strikes ; he hears the doors below bolted and locked , and nothing happens . Half-past twelve -- and nothing still . The house is as silent as the grave . One o'clock ; two o'clock -- same silence . Half-past two -- and something happens at last . Dexter hears a sound close by , in the corridor . It is the sound of a handle turning very softly in a door -- in the only door that can be opened , the door of Mrs. Beauly 's room .