subs. (thieves’).—1.  Stairs; a flight of steps. Fr., les grimpants.

1

  1671.  R. HEAD, The English Rogue, pt. I., ch. v., p. 52 (1874). Track up the DANCERS, Go up the Stayres.

2

  1785.  GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, s.v.

3

  1847.  BULWER-LYTTON, Lucretia, pt. II., ch. vii. ‘Bob, track the DANCERS. Up like a lark—and down like a dump.’ Bob grinned … and scampered up the stairs. Ibid. (1858), What Will He Do with It? bk. III., ch. xvi. Come, my Hebe, track the DANCERS, that is, go up the stairs.

4

  2.  sing. (thieves’).—Also DANCING MASTER. A thief whose speciality is prowling about the roofs of houses and effecting an entrance through attic and upper storey windows; a GARRETEER (q.v.). [In allusion to dexterity of walk.] For synonyms, see AREA-SNEAK.

5