The figure had melted away, or rather it had flitted through another door.

Dick followed, chagrined.

The stranger seemed to be playing with him.

Obviously, it was some one thoroughly acquainted with the house, and that brought to Dick's mind the thought that he himself, instead of the other man, was the stranger there.
He came at last to a passage which led to the kitchen, a great room, because many people were often guests at Bellevue, and here he stopped short, while his heart suddenly beat hard.

A distinct odor coming from different points suddenly assailed his nostrils.