Page:Dorothy's spy; a story of the first "fovrth of Jvly" celebration, New York, 1776.djvu/82

Rh short hour ago she would have condemned absolutely any of her acquaintances who might have held converse with a member of my lord Howe's army.

Lieutenant Oakman followed the children, his hand on Sarah's head as if by touching her hair he was brought nearer his own little ones, and when the three were in the living room again, Dorothy said:

"Think you those men would search the house while my father and mother were away?" and the officer replied thoughtfully:

"They are capable of doing all that; but the fact that Jacob Dean is so prominent in this rebellion, and you two children are here alone, might cause the men to wait until your parents return. If, however, I do not succeed in slipping away secretly, there will be no reason for a search, since the prey will have been taken."

"I wasn't thinking of your trying to get away; but wondering why you couldn't hide up-stairs. In the attic is a wooden chest with a stout lock. Mother kept the winter clothing in it until father bought her one made of camphor wood. Couldn't you lie down in it, and let me turn the key? They surely wouldn't dare to break it while father is away."

"There is a chance that in this particular house I might be hidden in such fashion, for the