Hope became high when 10 o'clock was at hand.
Sterry half expected, in case everything promised well, that Vesey would manage to give something in the nature of a preliminary signal, but the closest scrutiny showed nothing of the kind.
Capt.

Asbury, who maintained his place near one of the front windows, close to the door, suddenly called: "Come here a moment, Sterry." The young man stepped hastily across the room.
"You have everything clear in your mind ?" was the question which struck the young man as slightly inopportune.
"Yes; as clear as I can have; why do you ask ?" "I wanted to be certain, for your task is a delicate one; we will hold the door ajar a little while after you go, so that if anything happens, such as their recognizing you, you will be able to dash back.
You know it won't do for you to be identified." "I understand," replied Sterry, who felt that he ought to be at his post.
He hastily stepped back, and as he did so was surprised to find the door drawn open several inches.
"What does that mean ?" he asked of the several gathered around in the darkness, whose faces he could not see.
"Why," replied Hawkridge, "what does it mean, indeed?
I thought you passed out just now." "You see I did not.

Why do you make such a remark ?" "Some one went out," was the amazing declaration..