"Yes. Try again, James."
Tremaine threw himself against the wall, slapped at it, searching for a hidden latch.
"A bit higher; Bram was a tall man. The panel opened below...."
Tremaine reached higher, pounded, pushed up, sideways—
With a click a three by four foot section of wall rolled silently aside. Tremaine saw greased metal slides and, beyond, steps leading down.
"They are on the porch now, James," said Miss Carroll.
"The light!" Tremaine reached for it, threw a leg over the sill. He reached back, pulled the suitcase after him. "Tell them I kidnapped you, Miss Carroll. And thanks."
Miss Carroll held out her hand. "Help me, James. I hung back once before. I'll not repeat my folly."
Tremaine hesitated for an instant, then reached out, handed Miss Carroll in. Footsteps sounded in the hall. The flashlight showed Tremaine a black pushbutton bolted to a two by four stud. He pressed it. The panel slid back in place.
Tremaine flashed the light on the stairs.