less he found what he was looking for before the circuit was finished. He would go nearly all the way around before he came upon Hereford, who did not dare to move again for fear of being heard; or unless the light of his lamp fell upon Hereford. This last did not seem likely, for the man kept his light turned always toward the ceiling. He took a long time to each examination, but he paid no attention to the lower part of the wall, but only the upper part above where a man standing on the floor could reach with an upstretched hand. Especially he gave heed to the wide, projecting picture moulding set almost against the ceiling itself. A sixth and seventh time he moved the chair, and now he was very close to Hereford. Suddenly the cane struck something. With an exclamation, the man realized it and struck again.
