An instant I paused to ask a question, holding aloft the lantern so as to see his face.
"Now man, speak quick; you were given some word for me?
Some instructions how I was to get away ?" "Sure; but ye drew those cords tight! You are to go up stairs, out the front door, and turn to the right; there's a horse in the thicket beyond the summer house.

Damnation, loosen that ankle rope, will ye ?" I gave it a twitch, but felt little compassion for the fellow, and ran up the steps, leaving the lantern below.

I knew the way even in the dark, and experienced little trouble in feeling my passage.

I met with no interference, and heard no sound, the house seemingly deserted.

Only as I opened the front door could I hear distant, irregular firing to the northwest.