Night Latch

The upper part is separated from the lower by a massive door which opens from the hall and gives access to the staircase and which is fitted with a Chubb night-latch. ❋ Unknown (1902)

The door closed softly behind the retreating figure of the attorney-general, and Kent released the spring of the night-latch. ❋ Francis Lynde (1893)

"Please don't think me ungrateful," she said, when she had thrown the night-latch for him. ❋ Francis Lynde (1893)

The country was pulling out of debt, and the treasury had enough boodle in it for him to amuse himself occasionally with the night-latch. ❋ O. Henry (1886)

He had not long to wait; he heard the night-latch click sharply, and a moment thereafter the door swung open, and he confronted not a servant but Dora, looking nearly as white and quite as grave as she had on the day of the ride. ❋ 1841-1930 Pansy (1885)

Not a word passed between them until he stood with his hand on the night-latch; then he said: ❋ 1841-1930 Pansy (1885)

This did not come into her mind till she found herself again at Mrs. Montgomery's door, where she stood in a panic ecstasy at having got rid of the letter, which the special stamp seemed to make still more irrevocable, and tried to fit her night-latch into the lock. ❋ William Dean Howells (1878)

Belated Husband, opening a door with a night-latch. ❋ William Dean Howells (1878)

The rattle of a night-latch made itself heard in the outer door. ❋ William Dean Howells (1878)

But she couldn't manage the night-latch, and so Margaret had to follow her. ❋ Amanda Minnie Douglas (1873)

This was necessary, for our front-door (or main-hatchway) had no night-latch, but was fastened by means of a bolt. ❋ Frank Richard Stockton (1868)

He reached his home out of breath; but then his key to the night-latch would not fit, just because he was excited and in a hurry. ❋ Oliver Optic (1859)