Page:Dorothy's spy; a story of the first "fovrth of Jvly" celebration, New York, 1776.djvu/134

Rh "There is a narrow door near the main chimney, which is sometimes covered by a chest of drawers," the silversmith replied.

"Come up here and show it to us!"

Master Dean obeyed the command, his friend Lamb following, and Scip whispered to Dorothy:

"I'se nigh erbout crazy fur ter see dat crowd when dey fin' dere's nobody here. We might sneak up de back stairs, honey," he suggested coaxingly, and, despite the fact that she had been told to remain in the kitchen, Dorothy motioned for him to lead the way.

It was impossible for either the girls or Scipio to ascend the attic stairs until after the searchers had scattered around in the unfinished lumber room; but the picture they then saw was well calculated to provoke mirth, in the secret of the escape as they were.

The oaken chest was empty, the lid thrown back and the key in the lock. Directly in front of it stood Masters Dean and Lamb, gazing alternately at each other and the place where they had supposed the spy to be securely hidden, with an expression of perfect bewilderment on their faces.

One not acquainted with the facts would have said that the two gentlemen were both terrified and fascinated by the open box, wherein could be seen no sign of its recent occupancy.