"Gee whiz, that looks like a trap-door just above me," he decided.
He raised his hands and the cut-out square in the flooring came up with ease. Jack scrambled up into a kitchen. In one corner was a ladder, no doubt used when the occupants wished to enter the cellar. Through one of the windows daylight was streaming, the gray light of early dawn.
"Great Scott! I've been down there all night," ejaculated the boy.
He was considering his next step when a large woman, with stout red arms, came into the kitchen. Her husband had to be at work early and she was about to prepare his breakfast. She had a florid, disagreeable face.
"What are you after doing here?" she demanded, picking up a heavy rolling pin.
"I'm trying to get out of this house. Will you show me the way?"
"Indade and I will not. I'll hand yez over ter the perlice." She raised her voice.
"Pat! Pat! come here at onct."
"Phwat's the mather?" came from another room.
"Thare's a thafe forninst the kitchen. Get ther perlice. I'll hold him—he's only a gossoon."