The little group, flat on the floor against the wall in their dark retreat, could now hear her voice distinctly. She was speaking in a confidential undertone, as if afraid of being overheard.
"I wonder I didn't have sense to get somebody to watch 'em when they went out," they heard her say.
"She's betrayed us!" whispered Hugh.
The General merely said, "Hush," and laid his hand firmly on the nearest boy to keep him still. Lucy Ann led the soldiers into the various chambers one after another. At last she opened the next room, and, through the wall, the men in hiding heard the soldiers go in and walk about.
They estimated that there were at least half-a-dozen.
"Isn't there a garret?" asked one of the searching party.
"Nor, sir, 'tain't no garret, jes' a loft; but they ain't up there," said Lucy Ann's voice.
"We'll look for ourselves." They came out of the room. "Show us the way."
"Look here, if you tell us a lie, we'll hang you!"
The voice of the officer was very stern.