Question

Read the excerpt from "The Adventure of the Mysterious Picture."
All this was half muttered to myself, as I hastily slipped on my clothes; which having done, I groped my way out of the room, and down-stairs to the drawing-room. Here, after tumbling over two or three pieces of furniture, I made out to reach a sofa, and stretching myself upon it determined to bivouac there for the night.
What technique does Irving use to build suspense in the excerpt?
The pace of the story quickens.
The word choice darkens the tone.
The outcome of events becomes uncertain.
The setting details are intentionally omitted.

Answer 1

The pace of the story quickens.

Irving uses rapid, urgent actions and short, clipped clauses ("hastily slipped," "groped," "tumbling over") to accelerate the narrative and create a feeling of immediate tension and suspense.