Miss Hardy's door was closed, even the transom lowered, and I instantly decided not to disturb her until the very last.

Yet I was soldier enough to take the other rooms in rotation, realizing the danger of leaving an enemy in my rear.
These were soon disposed of, although I made a close search, disarranging beds, delving into closets, and leaving no nook or corner big enough to conceal a man, unrevealed.

I endeavored to accomplish all this quietly, yet must have made some noise, for as I rolled back a bed in the third room entered, I heard the door creak and sprang to my feet to confront Billie.

I hardly know which was the more startled, for the girl staggered back, one hand thrown out.
"You! Oh, I thought--" she drew her breath quickly.
"You thought what ?" "Oh, nothing--only I heard the noise, and--and wondered who it could be." She looked about at the confusion.

"What--what are you doing?
Hunting for some one ?" "A needle in a haystack," I answered, suddenly suspicious that she might know something of the fugitive.