Which literary device does the author use in these lines from a short story?

So the next night, after midnight, four men crossed Miss Emily's lawn and slunk about the house like burglars, sniffing along the base of the brickwork and at the cellar openings while one of them performed a regular sowing motion with his hand. . . .
(from "A Rose for Emily" by William Faulkner)

A. simile
B. metaphor
C. syntax
D. irony

Question

Which literary device does the author use in these lines from a short story? 

So the next night, after midnight, four men crossed Miss Emily's lawn and slunk about the house like burglars, sniffing along the base of the brickwork and at the cellar openings while one of them performed a regular sowing motion with his hand. . . . 
(from "A Rose for Emily" by William Faulkner)

A. simile
B. metaphor
C. syntax
D. irony

marziman · Answer

He is comparing the men to burglars

marziman · Answer

The answer we are looking for has to do with that.

marziman · Answer

Which of these is a comparative device?

marziman · Answer

We can rule out D and C.  Out of B and A which is correct?

choleee16 · Answer

I was thinking simile?

marziman · Answer

You would be correct :D