"I'm going to venture down and see," replied his partner.

They dashed down the stairs, holding their pistols in readiness for use,
and ran into the parlor.

It was empty.

Passing back into Clara's room, they found it vacant.

"Gone!" exclaimed Harry.

"Not by the front," replied his partner. "The door and windows are locked."

"Let's try the basement."

Down they ran, nervous over the disappearance of the smugglers and in the
dining-room found the mulatto girl Hattie.

She sat in terror, with her face buried in her hands, and when she saw them
rush in with drawn pistols, she shrieked:

"Oh, don't kill me! Don't kill me!"

"Where did that Savoy girl and the four men go?" sternly asked Old King
Brady, glancing around the room.

"Out the back door."

"Into the yard?"