Page:Randall Parrish--My Lady of the South.djvu/233

WE FIND THE PASSAGE without availed themselves of this advantageous point of attack. Both their officers knew the secret way leading into the house; and, while Dunn's caution, or cowardice, whichever it was, might restrain him from so bold an effort, yet Donald must have long since reached their lines, and action was the dominating trait of his character. What could they be waiting for—the arrival of more men, or the coming of daylight when they could observe better the nature of their work? Both, perhaps. O'Brien had reported a grouping of men toward the rear of the building. No doubt they were being advanced into the passageway, but might be held there until daybreak before pressing the assault home. This would give them ample time to gather in their scattered bands, enabling them to advance on the house from both front and rear in sufficient force to make victory assured. It was their supreme confidence in the final result which kept them idle, firing merely enough to let us know they remained watchful, and using the cloak of darkness as cover to their movements. Our only hope lay in discovery of their means of entrance; this once found and securely guarded, we could surprise them in turn, and defend our position indefinitely. So assured was I as to this, that my entire thought focussed upon the one point, the immediate importance of uncovering this hidden way eclipsing even the memory of the girl I had just left a prisoner in the room behind. The fireplace was where all my suspicions centred, and I turned toward it, grasping the Irish lad by the sleeve of his jacket, and facing him in the same direction. [ 219 ]