Chapter Twenty Nine.
Scarlett Escapes under Difficulties.
“Ugh! it’s cold,” said Scarlett, as he moved away from the window in his mother’s chamber, and gave one look round in the gloom at the familiar old place, associated with his childhood and boyish life before he was forced into this premature manhood by the exigencies of the war. “But never mind; I shall soon be warm enough—hot enough, if I am seen and pursued.”
He tightened the belt he wore, and drew a long breath, as if about to start running. Then crossing the room softly, he opened the door, meaning, as his mission was at an end, to make a bold quick rush for the secret stair, to open the slide and pass in. If he made a little noise there, the sentry might hear it and welcome, he would discover nothing.
A sudden thought struck him.
“Capital!” he said to himself, joyously. “Fifty men quietly introduced by the secret passage, and led right into the house. Why, we could surprise them all asleep, and the place would be taken without loss of life. What a result to an accidental discovery!”
Then a damping thought occurred.
“No,” he muttered; “Fred will have remembered it, and made all safe. Perhaps let us get in, and trap us. He is too clever to leave that place open. He has not had time to secure it yet. What a pity we two are on opposite sides!”