Page:Augusta Seaman--Jacqueline of the carrier pigeons.djvu/271

 ITH a mighty effort Gysbert drew back the massive bolt and chain  that bad so long kept them prisoners, pushed  open the demolished door, and they stood  outside the room—free at last!

“Go cautiously!” warned he. “We are not yet absolutely sure that everyone is out  of the bouse. But I have this knife, if we meet anyone, and it comes to the worst. We won’t try to go down stairs,—it would be like  diving into a tank!” And indeed the water  had entered the bouse and crept three-quarters of the way up the staircase, while bumping against the ceiling of the rooms below,  floated articles of Vrouw Hansleer’s cherished furniture.

From room to room on the second floor