"That's where it came from, and, since it hasn't been followed by a
second, it's likely that only one man is there, and he is lying low,
waiting a chance for another bullet," he said.

"Then we'll rout him out," said Dick.

He divided his little troop, in order that it could approach the house
from all sides, and then he and the sergeant and six others advanced
directly in front. He knew that if the marksman were still hidden inside
he would not fire now, but would seek rather to hide, since he could
easily observe from a window that the building was surrounded.

It was a small house, but it was well built and evidently had been
occupied by people of substance. It was painted white, except the
shutters which were green, and a brick walk led to a portico, with fine
and lofty columns. There was nobody outside, but as the shutters were
open it was probable that someone was inside.

Dick disliked to force an entrance at such a place, but he had been sent
out to protect the flank and he could not let a rifleman lie hidden there,
merely to resume his deadly business as soon as they passed on. They
pushed the gate open and rode upon the lawn, an act of vandalism that
he regretted, but could not help. They reached the door without any
apparent notice being taken of them, and as the detachments were
approaching from the other sides, Dick dismounted and knocked loudly.
Receiving no answer, he bade all the others dismount.

"Curley, you hold the horses," he said, "and Dixon, you tell the men
in the other detachments to seize anybody trying to escape. Sergeant,