The cunning of a lifetime failed him in that moment.He slipped through the door, but his coat caught in a splinter of wood, and the rending of it gave the alarm.As with quaking heart he ran up the silent stable-yard towards the Strand gate he felt close on him the wind of the pursuit. In the dark he slipped on a patch of horse-dung and was down. Something heavy fell atop of him, and the next second a gross agony tore the breath from him.