On Thursday Mrs. Clarke locked the door and went to the women’s club as usual.
When she came home she sensed ____ unusual. Had someone got in? The back door and the windows were all locked and there was ____ sign of forced entry. Had anything been taken? She went from room to room checking and ____ (find) her spare camera missing.
The following Thursday she went out at her usual time, but she just took a short walk in a park nearby, came home through the back door and settled down to wait and see what ____ (happen).
It was 4 o’clock ____ the front doorbell rang. Mrs. Clarke was making tea at the time. The bell rang again, and then she heard her letter-box ____ (push) open. Picking up the kettle of boiling water, she moved quietly towards the door. A piece of ____ appeared through the letter-box, and then a hand. ____ wire turned and caught around the knob （圆钮）on the door-lock. Mrs. Clarke raised the kettle and poured the water ____ the hand. A sharp cry was heard outside as the wire fell to the floor and the hand was ____ (instant) pulled back, which was followed by the sound of running feet.