Page:The Story of the House of Cassell (book).djvu/73

 declares, by all the powers in the world above and the world below, that he will have him. But he won't!" "'Is it possible for me to see this man in his hiding-place?" asked Cassell. "For that matter, I hardly know," was the reply; "for though I have contributed some hundreds of dollars to aid in the transit of these men who have fled from bondage, I have never seen one of their secret places of refuge, but, as you are an Englishman, I think you may be able to see the man to aid whose escape I send these five dollars."

"We set out accordingly," wrote Cassell, "passing up and down many streets until we stood before a door. My friend knocked, and presently a coloured man appeared. He was a servant, and in answer to our inquiries he said his master was out. A little whispering took place, the negro rolled his dark, bright eyes, apparently assenting to what was said by sundry serious nods, and at the same time bestowed upon me one of the most searching glances I have ever encountered. At length the man took upon himself the serious responsibility of revealing to us the fugitive's hiding-place, which I must leave to the reader's imagination, for the Fugitive Slave Act is still law, and the underground railway still in operation.

"Following the direction given to us, we found ourselves once more at a door. My friend knocked. No answer. He knocked again. Still no answer. Probably he did not give the precise number of taps agreed upon by the fugitive and his protector, for no response was made.

"A few more taps followed, but elicited no sign of life. 'Come,' said my friend, a little out of patience, 'open the door; don't be afraid; we are your friends.' A movement was heard within, and very gently the door was opened by the width of an inch. Again my friend spoke: 'Do not be afraid, here is an Englishman; surely he will not scare you.'

"That name was the Open Sesame of the Arabian tale.