Page:Dorothy's spy; a story of the first "fovrth of Jvly" celebration, New York, 1776.djvu/84

Rh groping here and there with her hands outstretched.

In silence the three ascended two flights of stairs, after which they were come to the attic filled with such household articles as could no longer be of service to the family, and here several moments were spent before the little maid found that for which she sought.

"Here it is," she said finally, and Lieutenant Oakman passed his hands over it, both outside and inside.

"It will make a famous hiding-place, provided those who search do not take it into their heads to break it open with an ax. Rather close for wholesome breathing, perhaps; but I have a knife with which an air hole can be made when I have nothing else to occupy my attention. Will you kiss me, my little ladies?"

Never before had Dorothy believed she would willingly kiss a British spy; but now she was glad to do so, and, having thus taken a fatherly leave of them, my lord Howe's lieutenant stretched himself out at full length in Mistress Dean's clothing chest.

"I will lock it, sir," Dorothy whispered, "and come to you again as soon as may be."

"If your father should blame you far thus having given aid to an enemy, pray him to come and have speech with me before saying anything