creaking

Then I heard a gentle creaking as the window was very slowly opened.

At last however about two in the morning, I suddenly heard the gentle sound of a bolt being pushed back and the creaking of a key.

There was a long pause, during which we held our breath, and then a very gentle creaking sound came to our ears.

It is my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have been deceived.”