I ran through the kitchen and down the back stairs; I helped the officers plan their decorations, and in that way learned of this private passage beneath the stairs.

It was easy, but--oh, listen! they are in there now!" We could hear voices through the intervening wall clearly enough to even distinguish words, as the speakers exercised little restraint.

I felt the girl's slender figure press against me in the narrow space where we stood, and I clung to her hand, both remaining motionless and silent.
"The fellow has run, Grant," boomed some one hoarsely, "either afraid, or else what you say he is.

See here, boy, did you see any one in here lately in scarlet jacket ?" "I don' just 'member, sah," answered a negro, hesitatingly.

"I was busy over dar' cleanin' de side-boa'd." "Well, he's not here now, that's certain," broke in Grant impatiently, "and we've been in all the parlors?
What next, MacHugh ?" "Try to head him off before he can get out of the city, of course.