"This way! this way, Patsy!" he cried, louder than the rolling thunder overhead. "I've found the rat hole!"
"I'm with you," yelled Patsy.
They were already at the door.
By the frequent flashes of lightning they had, after the fight at Venner's, succeeded in following Kilgore across the meadows, and they well knew that he was headed to get even with Nick.
Now Nick's voice rang through the cellar.
"Look out for him, Chick," he commanded. "He's coming that way. Look out for his gun."
"Hurrah!" roared Chick, the moment he heard Nick's voice. "Let him come, gun and all!"
Kilgore saw his flight cut off in that direction, but he knew every inch of the house. He turned like a rat in the darkness, and made for the stairs leading to the floor above. Up these he hurriedly scrambled.
Nick heard him through the gloom, and followed him, pitching headlong at the foot of the stairs just as Kilgore opened the door leading to the hall above.
There the dim rays from a hall lamp revealed the man for an instant, and showed Nick the way. He was up again and after Kilgore like a hound after a fox.