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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7b2038a --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #55964 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/55964) diff --git a/old/55964-0.txt b/old/55964-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 9321863..0000000 --- a/old/55964-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,5841 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Sapphire Signet, by Augusta Huiell Seaman - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: The Sapphire Signet - -Author: Augusta Huiell Seaman - -Illustrator: C. M. Relyea - -Release Date: November 14, 2017 [EBook #55964] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SAPPHIRE SIGNET *** - - - - -Produced by Larry B. Harrison and The Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - - - - - - - - - - THE - SAPPHIRE SIGNET - -[Illustration: "I had the _worst_ time puzzling this out!" she said] - - - - - THE - SAPPHIRE SIGNET - - BY - AUGUSTA HUIELL SEAMAN - Author of "The Boarded-Up House," etc. - - ILLUSTRATED BY - C. M. RELYEA - - [Illustration] - - NEW YORK - THE CENTURY CO. - 1916 - - - - - Copyright, 1915, 1916, by - THE CENTURY CO. - - _Published, September, 1916_ - - - - -CONTENTS - - - CHAPTER PAGE - - I THE HOUSE IN CHARLTON STREET 3 - - II SOMETHING TURNS UP 16 - - III THE DISCOVERY IN THE ATTIC 32 - - IV A KEY TO THE MYSTERY 53 - - V "THE LASS OF RICHMOND HILL" 65 - - VI A SURPRISE 79 - - VII THE DISCOVERIES CORINNE MADE 91 - - VIII BAFFLED! 102 - - IX INTRODUCING ALEXANDER 114 - - X ALEXANDER TAKES HOLD 126 - - XI ALEXANDER SPRINGS A SURPRISE 135 - - XII THE MYSTERY UNRAVELS FURTHER 149 - - XIII ALEXANDER ENGAGES IN SOME HISTORICAL - RESEARCH 162 - - XIV A BELATED DISCOVERY AND A SOLEMN CONCLAVE 179 - - XV SARAH TAKES A HAND IN THE GAME 192 - - XVI THE SAPPHIRE SIGNET 209 - - XVII IN WHICH SARAH CHANGES HER MIND 228 - - XVIII TWO SURPRISES 245 - - XIX THE MISSING LINKS 255 - - - - -ILLUSTRATIONS - - - PAGE - - "I had the _worst_ time puzzling this out!" she said _Frontispiece_ - - "Corinne noticed that the bottom of the trunk seemed - all wrong." 37 - - "He gazed hard at me as I stood on the lawn." 71 - - "Madame Mortier warned Alison that she wasn't to have - any communication with the rebels." 109 - - "I poked around it, top, bottom, and sides." 143 - - "You must welcome the latest member of the Antiquarian - Club, Miss President!" 205 - - He began to tap the inside of the trunk all over, carefully, - with the handle of his penknife 223 - - "For a minute or two she didn't answer." 265 - - - - - THE SAPPHIRE SIGNET - - - - - THE SAPPHIRE SIGNET - OR - "THE LASS OF RICHMOND HILL" - - - - -CHAPTER I - -THE HOUSE IN CHARLTON STREET - - -It was five o'clock and a very dull, dark afternoon in Charlton -Street. One by one lights had twinkled out in all the little -two-story-and-dormer-windowed houses on the block,—in all but one. -The parlor windows of this house were still unlit, but behind the -flower-box in one of them a hand could be seen moving aside the white -curtains at frequent intervals and a dim face peering anxiously into -the dusk. - -At ten minutes past five precisely, two trim girl-figures turned the -corner of Varick Street, hurried down the block, raced up the steps -of this same house, and waved frantically at the dark windows. An -answering wave saluted them from between the parted curtains. At the -same moment lights twinkled out from the windows, and a quick hand -pulled down the shades with a jerk, shutting out the dim street for the -night. But back of the drawn shades a small figure in an invalid-chair -held out welcoming arms to the girls who had just entered. - -"My! How long you were! I thought you'd never get here to-day. And it's -been so dark and dismal all the afternoon, too!" The two girls, who -were plainly twins, knelt down, one on each side of the invalid-chair. - -"We _were_ an age, I know, Margaret dear," began Bess, "but there was a -good reason. It's quite exciting,—all about the new girl!" - -"Yes, you can never guess what, either!" echoed Jess, winding one of -Margaret's dark curls around her finger. - -"Oh, tell me—quick!" The child's big, beautiful gray eyes fairly -sparkled with eagerness, and a faint flush tinted her delicate face. -"Is it that queer girl you told me about, who only came into the class -a few days ago?" - -"That's the one,—but let's get our things off first and see if Sarah -made any cookies to-day. We're starving!" - -A huge woman who had been moving about the room lighting gas-jets, -pulling down shades, and straightening the furniture, now broke into -the conversation: "Ye kin save yerselves the trouble! I ain't made no -cookies this day—an' me wid all that wash! What d' ye think I be?" - -"Go 'long, Sarah!" laughed Bess. "You know there's probably a whole -jarful in the pantry, and we don't care whether you made them to-day or -a week ago. They're always dandy!" - -Sarah gave a chuckle that shook her huge frame, and tucked a light -shawl lovingly about the knees of the girl in the chair. - -"Ye'll have a hard time findin' any!" she warned, as the two ran off. -"Won't they, Margie, macushla?" - -In five minutes the twins were back, each with a massive chunk of -chocolate layer-cake in her hand and a mouth full of the same. - -"You told the truth, Sarah, for once! There weren't any cookies, but -this is heaps better!" - -"If ye get any crumbs on me floor," threatened Sarah, ominously, -"ye'll have no more cake of any kind, the week out!" And she departed -downstairs in great (pretended) displeasure. - -"Now for it! Tell me right away," demanded Margaret. "I'm _so_ -impatient to hear!" - -"Well," began Bess, in muffled tones, struggling to swallow a large -mouthful of cake, "you remember we told you about that nice girl who -came into our section three days ago, but who seemed so offish and -queer and quiet. She's always staring out of the window, as if she were -dreaming. And when she isn't studying, she's reading some book the -whole time. And she hardly ever talks to a soul. Jess and I thought -she must feel rather lonesome and strange. You know it is rather hard -to come into the first year of High School more than a month after -everything's started, and every one else has got acquainted, and try -to pick up! I think one must feel so awfully out of it! - -"So Jess and I decided we'd ask her to eat lunch with us to-day. She -always eats by herself, and yesterday she didn't eat at all,—just read -a book the whole time! I went up to her at lunch-period and said—" - -"What's her name?" interrupted Margaret. - -"Corinne Cameron,—isn't it a dandy name? Corinne! It has such a -_distinguished_ sound!—Well, she was reading, as usual, and looked -up at me sort of dazed and far-away when I asked her if she'd care to -eat with us. But she seemed very glad to do it and came right over. We -had a very interesting talk, and she asked us right away to call her -'Corinne,' instead of 'Miss Cameron,' as they do in High School. She -said it made her feel about a hundred miles away from every one to be -called 'Miss.' So of course we asked her to call us 'Elisabeth' and -'Jessica.'" - -"But why didn't you tell her just 'Bess' and 'Jess'?" interrupted -Margaret again. "That's so much more natural." - -"Well, you see, 'Corinne' sounds so sort of distinguished and—and -dignified! And somehow our names don't. They just seem ordinary -and—and so like small children. And at least 'Elisabeth' and 'Jessica' -seem more—grown-up!" - -"What does she look like?" questioned Margaret, going off on another -tack. - -"Oh, she's, well, sort of distinguished-looking, too—like her name. -She's tall and slim and has very dark brown wavy hair, and big, dark -eyes, almost black, and the prettiest straight nose,—not a little -_snub_ like ours (I don't mean yours, Margaret! _That's_ all right!). -But she always acts as though her thoughts were about a thousand miles -away. She talked about books mostly, and asked us if we didn't just -_love_ to read. And when we said no, not so awfully, she seemed so -astonished. I said we'd rather play basket-ball, and she laughed and -said we couldn't play that _all_ the time, and what did we do with our -spare moments. I told her we didn't have many, because, at home here, -we were always busy amusing you or helping Sarah, when we weren't -studying. - -"Then she asked about you, Margaret, and was _so_ interested when we -told her about your poor back, and how you couldn't move around much or -go to school, but studied with us and knew just as much as we did—and -_more_, because you read a great deal, too, even though you are only -thirteen and we're fifteen. And she said: - -"'That's perfectly fine!' Well, we were talking so hard that we -scarcely noticed lunch-period was over, and we hadn't said half that we -wanted to. She promised to eat with us every day. - -"This afternoon we decided not to stay for basket-ball in the gym, -because Jess's finger hurts so much where she cut it last night. So we -left at half-past two (which we hardly ever do), and who should start -to walk over our way but Corinne, and she was delighted that we could -go part of the way together. She lives in the Ten Eyck, that swell new -apartment in West Twelfth Street." - -"The Ten Eyck!" exclaimed Margaret, in a tone of hushed awe. "Gracious! -she must be very wealthy, then!" - -"Wait till you hear!" murmured Jess, parenthetically, and Bess went on: - -"She told us they'd just moved there because her father, who isn't -in very good health, has to live near his business. He's in a big -steamship company on West Street. And until now they've always lived in -an apartment on Madison Avenue near Central Park. They just moved down -here a week ago. Her mother is dead, and an aunt, her father's sister, -lives with them. - -"By this time we had reached the Ten Eyck, and what do you think!—she -asked us to come in and chat awhile, because she was all alone. Her -aunt was out at some club. Of course we went in, and my! but it was -splendiferous, especially going up to the eighth floor in a big -elevator! Their rooms are sort of built all around a central hall. -It's different from any apartment we were ever in. Corinne took us to -her room, which was about as large as this parlor, and had the cutest -low bookcases all around the walls and lovely cushioned seats in the -windows. And we sat there and talked a long time. - -"But here's another queer thing about her. While we were talking about -school and our studies, and how hard the geometry seemed, she suddenly -showed us an old book that was lying on her table,—it was a _very_ -old, battered-up looking book with brown stains on the leaves, and one -cover half hanging off, and the queerest old-fashioned pictures,—and, -she asked us whether we'd like to look at it. She said it was her chief -treasure just now. It was called 'Valentine's Manual, Volume II,' and -seemed to be all about New York City in very early times. She said her -father had picked it up at an auction-sale of some one's library, and -had given it to her for her birthday. - -"I didn't say much, for somehow I thought it was an awfully queer thing -to get for your birthday—an old, dilapidated, uninteresting book like -that! And then I guess she saw that we were surprised, for she said: - -"'Don't you love _old_ things?' - -"I just had to laugh,—it all seemed so queer! And I said, no, I -preferred them brand-new. And then she said: - -"'Well, perhaps every one doesn't feel the same as I do; for Father -says I'm a born antiquarian, just as he is!' We couldn't say a word, -either of us, for actually, we don't know what 'antiquarian' means! She -went out of the room just after that and brought back some lemonade and -little sweet crackers. Then we had to leave, for it was getting late, -and we knew you'd be watching for us." Here Bess ended her recital and -Margaret instantly exclaimed: - -"Get the dictionary—quick! I want to see what 'antiquarian' means!" - -"That's just like you!" commented Jess, as she hauled a big Webster's -Unabridged out of the bookcase. "You're a lot like Corinne, too. I -think you two would get on beautifully together. Here it is: - -"'Antiquarian,—one who is addicted to the study of antiquities; an -admirer of antiquity.' And 'antiquities' are old things, of course. -Well, what she sees to admire in 'em beats me! Anyhow, she's an awfully -nice girl,—sort of unusual, you know,—and I'm glad we made her -acquaintance. Bess and I were saying on the way home that it's kind of -like an _adventure_ to meet unusual people—" Jess broke off suddenly, -at the sound of a latch-key in the front door, and they all exclaimed: - -"There's Mother! Isn't she early to-night!" - -A pleasant-voiced woman called out to them cheerily, and a moment later -entered the room. Mrs. Bronson's face, which singularly resembled her -youngest daughter's, had once been very pretty, but now showed many -traces of anxious care. Her expression was of one who was constantly -thinking over worrisome matters. But at the sight of the trio her face -lit up, the lines smoothed away temporarily, and ten years seemed -magically to drop from her as she sat down in the group, questioning -them about the affairs of their day. - -After a few moments the twins went off downstairs to help Sarah with -the dinner, and Margaret was left to her coveted half-hour alone with -her mother. - -"Oh, Mummy," she sighed, snuggling her head on Mrs. Bronson's shoulder, -"this is lovely! You don't often get home so early. But I appreciate it -specially, because I feel sort of blue and no-'count to-night." - -"Is that so, dear?" exclaimed her mother, some of the anxious lines -returning to her face. "Is the pain worse? What has happened to-day?" - -"No, it isn't my back," Margaret almost sobbed. "It's just that -_nothing_ has happened—to me—to-day; nothing ever _does_ happen! I -just sit here all day long, waiting for 'something to turn up,' like -Dickens' _Mr. Micawber_, and nothing ever does turn up! The twins -go out and meet nice people and have pleasant things happen, but -there's nothing like that for me. Oh, I want some adventures—just one -nice, big, beautiful adventure would do—some delightful, unexpected -surprise! I'd be content if I could have just _one_!" It was very -unusual for Margaret to make the slightest complaint, and it was well -now that her head was on her mother's shoulder, and that she did not -see the sudden pain in Mrs. Bronson's face. - -"Dearie, I know!" her mother said. "It's dull enough for you, sitting -here day after day. But we're all doing the best we can to make you -happy. After all, you never can tell what's going to happen. Just keep -on hoping for something interesting to 'turn up,' and I'm sure sometime -it will. Things occasionally happen in the most unexpected way! Even -_Mr. Micawber_ had something pleasant 'turn up' after a while, if you -remember." - -Margaret snuggled her head closer. "You're a _dear_, Mummy! You -do cheer me up so! I feel better already, and I'm going to hope -harder than ever that something nice and interesting—some real -_adventure_—will turn up sometime, perhaps _soon_!" - - - - -CHAPTER II - -SOMETHING TURNS UP - - -And the unexpected happened sooner, much sooner, than Margaret would -even have dared to dream. Something did "turn up"! But like many -adventures, it came clothed in the guise of quite an ordinary, every -day affair, and there was little about its beginning to suggest the -remotest idea of anything startling. To be exact, it was simply that -about a week after the beginning of their acquaintance the twins came -home one day with the announcement that their new friend, Corinne, had -expressed a decided wish to call and make Margaret's acquaintance, and -that they had invited her for the following day. At first Margaret had -protested strongly: - -"Oh, no, girls! I can't see her. You know I never see any strangers. -It's awfully nice of her. But—but I wouldn't know what to say to any -one I didn't know very well. Do thank her for me, but—" - -"Nonsense!" cried Bess, decidedly. "It'll do you good to see some one -beside just ourselves. Mother thinks so too. And you'll _like_ her, -I know. I couldn't tell her she mustn't come, anyway! It wouldn't be -polite!" And that clinched the argument. - -In reality, it had seemed quite wonderful to Margaret that this -interesting new friend of her sisters could possibly care to become -acquainted with her, and she felt grateful for the pleasant attention. -But with the unconquerable shyness of a secluded invalid she shrank -from the meeting, all her longing for something new and exciting to -happen being temporarily forgotten. And then the day arrived. - -"Ye'll be after havin' company, this afternoon, Margie mavourneen, so -I suppose ye'll be wantin' a little snack about half-past four?" Sarah -had just wheeled Margaret into the front parlor by the window, raised -the shades a trifle, and tucked her idol securely and cozily into her -chair. - -"Oh, yes, Sarah! Do have hot chocolate and those lovely drop-cakes you -made this morning!" - -"Who's the gur-rl that's comin', anyway? Shure it's a strange thing for -_you_ to be seein' any one!" Sarah exclaimed jealously as she turned to -leave the room. - -"Oh, some one named Corinne Cameron. She's a nice girl. The twins like -her," replied Margaret, with assumed indifference. Not for worlds would -she have allowed Sarah to read her real feelings on the subject. - -"Huh!" was Sarah's only reply as she handed Margaret her book and -lumbered heavily downstairs to the kitchen, while the invalid settled -herself to wait for the arrival of her twin sisters and their "queer" -new friend. It was only two o'clock and she couldn't possibly expect -them before three or a quarter past. The time loomed long and -interminable before her. First she tried to read, but even the beloved -"Little Women" failed to interest her. So she rested her elbow on the -arm of her chair, and, chin in hand, stared out of the window across -the street at a squat little dormer-windowed house directly opposite. - -Would she really, she wondered, like the girl who was coming that day? -The occasion was certainly an unusual one in her uneventful life, for -she saw, as a rule, almost no one outside of her own family, except the -doctor. From the time she was a small baby she had suffered with an -affection of the spine, and the physicians could hold out no hope that -she would ever be anything but an invalid. Ever since she had grown -too large to be carried about, she had spent her waking hours in this -invalid-chair. - -Of the outside world she saw little save the view from the parlor -windows, and what passed before her each sunny day during the short -hour that Sarah pushed her in her chair up and down the block. But -Margaret was singularly loving and sweet-tempered, and most of the time -successfully hid the pain and weariness she suffered, both in body and -mind. Few realized, except the faithful Sarah, what bodily misery she -often endured; and none could appreciate the unconquerable shyness that -kept her from all companionship with girls of her own age, excepting -that of her sisters. - -Margaret envied nothing more heartily than the ability to join in the -athletic sports of the robust twins. She yearned above all things to -play basket-ball and wield a tennis-racket. And because such things -were to be forever impossible to her, she felt that she could be of -no earthly interest to her sisters' equally athletic comrades, so she -shyly refused to meet any of them. But this new girl was obviously -"different." Margaret felt that perhaps she would understand, that -they would find much of common interest to talk about. For Margaret, -too, loved books,—loved them with the passionate delight that only -confirmed invalids can feel for the printed magic that takes them -out of themselves and makes them forget their bodily ills. She read -voraciously everything that came her way. Beside that, she had long ago -insisted on studying with the twins. She kept pace with them through -all their school work and often outstripped them in the quickness -of her comprehension. And the twins were immensely proud of her -attainments. - -The home life of the Bronsons was a pleasant one, but rather different -in many ways from that of ordinary families. Their father had died when -Margaret was a baby. Their mother was the busy, worried, overworked -director of a large French dressmaking establishment on Fifth Avenue. -By her earnings she supported her family in moderate comfort and -maintained the little house in Charlton Street, which had always been -their home. She went away to business early every morning, and often -did not arrive home till late in the evening, especially in the "rush" -seasons. Thus she saw little of her children except on Sundays, and -then she was usually too tired to enjoy their company, though she loved -them devotedly. - -It was big, loyal Sarah McKinstry who really ran and directed the -household. She had lived with the family ever since Mrs. Bronson had -come to the Charlton Street house, a bride, and considered it her -own. Little, frail, ailing Margaret she adored with a passionate and -jealous devotion. Margaret never teased her, as did the twins, and many -a weary night had she spent sitting up with the little sufferer when -the pain was worse than usual. Her sharp tongue she used on the others -unsparingly, but never on the delicate child in the invalid-chair. -Nevertheless, as a matter of fact, she was really devoted to them all. -And though they, perhaps, never expressed it in quite that way, they -knew that the heart of Sarah McKinstry was as a precious jewel in a -setting of cast-iron. - -So on this sunny afternoon sat Margaret in her window, wondering much -about the coming visit,—wondering for the hundredth time if she would -really like this queer Corinne Cameron, and—which was even more -important—would she be liked in return. - -The clock on the mantel chimed three, and Margaret began to crane her -neck in order to see as far down the street as possible. They would -come from the Varick Street end of the block, she knew, because they -always walked down that way, in preference to the shorter but not so -pleasant route through Macdougal Street. - -At three-fifteen precisely they swung into view. The twins, who -looked very much alike, were walking one on each side of a tall girl, -who topped them by almost a head. Margaret gave a little gasp and -leaned far out of her chair. In one swift glance she scanned the new -acquaintance, as the three came abreast of the house. - -"Oh, I'm going to like her—_surely_!" she whispered, as she waved in -answer to the triple salute. Then she drew back suddenly behind the -curtains in a new access of shyness, now that the encounter was really -so close. - -But if Margaret had any lingering doubts on the subject, they were -quickly dispelled in the first half-hour with the "queer" girl. Corinne -broke the ice at once after her introduction to the little invalid. - -"What a dear, fascinating house you live in!" she began, gazing about -the parlor with her dreamy, far-away look. "That carved marble mantel -is just fine, and so are the pillars between the rooms, and all this -white paneling." - -The twins stared at each other and then at Margaret. - -"Mercy! Do you think so?" cried Bess. "Why, we've always thought it the -horridest, old-fashioned place—" - -"That's just what I mean," interrupted Corinne. "It _is_ old-fashioned, -and that's why it's so delightful!" - -"Oh, we forgot that you like _old_ things!" laughed Bess. "Well, this -is just a little, old, shabby rookery, and not a single interesting -thing about it. You don't know how we've _longed_ to move into a lovely -new apartment—like the one you live in, for instance,—and have all -the up-to-date fixings and everything." - -"Well, I'd give a _lot_ to change with you!" replied Corinne. "I -_hate_ apartments! I've lived in one all my life, and I've always just -dreamed of living in a dear old house like this that was built fifty or -a hundred years ago. Think of all the things that must have happened -in it, and all the history it's seen!—Nobody ever heard of anything -_historical_ about an apartment-house!" - -Margaret, who hadn't said a word all this time, leaned forward now with -shining eyes and demanded: - -"But—Corinne—" (she hesitated just a little over the unaccustomed -name) "what can you possibly see about this place that's interesting? -We've always thought it just as ordinary as—as ordinary could be,—when -we've thought about it at all!" And now Corinne was in her element. - -"Why, think of it!" she exclaimed. "Think what stories there must be -about this house—or any old house! Think what strange things may have -happened in it! Think what history it's seen! Think what mysteries -there may be about it—if we only knew them! Just imagine what scenes -people may have looked at out of those darling little dormer-windows, -or what famous generals may have leaned against this white-pillared -mantel and talked of their battles, or what traitors may have sat in -this parlor and laid plots, or what secret letters may be hidden -behind the woodwork in that funny little cater-cornered closet over -there, or—" - -She stopped suddenly from sheer lack of breath. Her three listeners -were staring at her spellbound. Even the less impressionable twins were -devouring her words in wide-eyed wonder. - -As for Margaret, she was tingling to her finger-tips with a strange -excitement. A whole new vista of wonderful things had suddenly been -opened to her. She looked about on what she had always considered her -perfectly ordinary, commonplace home, and her very scalp prickled to -think of the many-sided mysteries its walls might contain. She felt -a sudden wild desire to get to the cater-cornered closet Corinne had -mentioned (though she knew it contained nothing more exciting than -Sarah's dusters and some dilapidated books), rip out its white woodwork -and search frantically for hidden documents. Instead, she leaned back -in her chair with a long sigh, and remarked: - -"Well, you are a wonder, Corinne! You've given me something new to -think of. From now on, this house will always be as interesting to me -as a story!" - -Corinne nodded, but only said, "I know!" - -Suddenly Jess sat up with a start and exclaimed: - -"Oh, by the way, Corinne, as you're so interested in old things, I -wonder if you'd like to see the spinning-wheel we've got up in the -attic. Mother says it belonged to her grandmother in New England more -than a hundred years ago!" - -"Have you actually an _attic_?" cried Corinne, joyfully. "Oh, do let -me see it—that is, if it won't be inconvenient! Actually, girls, -I've never been in a _real_ attic in my life! And I'd love to see the -spinning-wheel, too." - -"Well, come right along with me," said Jess, "and we'll see it while -the daylight lasts. I suppose it isn't the same kind of an attic you'd -find in a big old farmhouse, but it's the open space over the top floor -that we've always used as an attic and storeroom, except the back part, -which is finished off into a room that Sarah uses. She's our maid,—or -rather, our housekeeper, and we'd better not let her catch us up -there, because she's awfully particular how she keeps the attic, and -never allows us to go up and disturb things." - -So Jess escorted the antique-loving Corinne to the exploration of the -attic, while Bess remained downstairs to keep Margaret company. - -"Well?" she questioned, turning to her younger sister as soon as the -others were out of ear-shot. She knew that no further explanation of -her question was necessary. - -"Oh, she's simply wonderful!" exclaimed Margaret, in a half-whisper. -"I rather expected I'd _like_ her, but I never dreamed she'd be as -interesting as this. And she thinks the same way I do about a lot of -things." - -"But isn't she _queer_!" marveled Bess. "Actually, on the way walking -down here this afternoon, I thought we'd never be able to drag her -past some of the old, rickety places on Varick Street. She'd stand in -front of each one and rave about it till we really began to attract the -notice of people passing. But she didn't care! You'd have thought we -were sight-seeing in Europe! And she was worst of all in front of that -ramshackle old place on the corner of Carmine Street, that has a whole -piece of the side cut off, apparently, and the front door stuck in that -funny angle. True as you live, she got out a blank-book and pencil and -stood there sketching it! (You know, she draws beautifully.) Said she -wanted to show it to her father! I didn't think or care anything about -that kind of talk then; but do you know, what she's said here this -afternoon actually makes me feel kind of interested in it all! I seem -to see a lot in these old things that I didn't before." - -Bess gazed about the parlor again with speculative eyes, and added: -"Now, that old cupboard in the corner, for instance," when they were -both startled by a loud crash from upstairs. - -"Gracious!—what was that?" she exclaimed, and ran out to the foot of -the stairs to listen. But as there were no further alarming noises, she -soon came back. - -"I guess it wasn't anything serious, but I hope nothing's broken or -disturbed, or Sarah'll have a fit!" - -Five minutes later, Corinne and Jess came tearing down the stairs, -breathless and excited, the latter carrying something in her hand. - -"Did you hear that bang?" cried Jess. "It was an accident—I'll tell -you about it—but we made the most wonderful discovery—you can never -guess what!" she was panting for breath and stopped short at this point. - -"Tell me! Tell me quick!" begged Margaret, almost wriggling out of her -chair in her excitement. - -"Here it is!" Corinne, equally breathless, took up the tale. "We -brought it down—" At this moment there came the sound of heavy, -thumping steps on the basement stairs, and Jess, running to the -bookcase, hastily thrust something far behind a row of books. - -"Sarah's coming!" she warned. "I've hid it. She mustn't guess what -we've been up to, or she'd spoil everything!" She laid a warning finger -on her lips as Sarah tramped massively into the parlor bearing a -daintily spread tray. - -"I hur-rd a tur-rible bangin' jest now!" she remarked suspiciously as -she set it down. Then turning her eyes on the twins: "What might the -pair of ye have been up to?" - -"Oh, nothing, Sarah!" Jess replied sweetly. "I went up to the attic -for a moment, and something fell while I was pulling it out. But there -wasn't any damage done," she hastened on reassuringly, "and I put it -right back!" - -"I've warned ye to keep out of that attic!" grumbled Sarah, arranging -the chocolate-cups. "Something always happens when ye go there. From -now on, I think I'll be lockin' it up!" - -"My gracious!" thought Margaret, boiling inwardly with impatience. "I -_do_ believe this is an _adventure_, at last! Will Sarah _ever_ get out -of this room so that I can hear all about it!" - - - - -CHAPTER III - -THE DISCOVERY IN THE ATTIC - - -But Sarah continued to circulate around the little tea-table, clattering -the cups, pouring the chocolate, and handing about the napkins and -plates. And all the while she was scanning Margaret's new visitor with -jealous and appraising eyes. Her ministrations seemed fairly interminable -to the impatient four, and during the whole time that she was serving -the refreshments not one of them uttered a word. So much of a contrast -was this silence to their usual volubility, that she delivered this -Parthian shot as she was at last taking her departure: - -"Ye all seem mighty quiet, though ye were chatterin' hard enough when I -come up! I'm thinkin' ye must have guilty consciences!" - -When she had disappeared, Corinne spoke up: - -"You girls all seem rather afraid of your maid, if you'll pardon my -remarking it! But I think she seems very good-hearted." - -"Why, it's this way," replied Bess. "You see, Sarah's more than just a -maid or a servant. She runs the whole house, really, because Mother's -away so much and just trusts her with everything. She's awfully good -to us children and would do almost anything for us. But she's very, -very particular about her work and her way of arranging things, and she -won't be interfered with the least bit. Why, Mother herself wouldn't -think of changing any of Sarah's arrangements, even if she didn't like -them, because Sarah wouldn't stand for it, and we couldn't do without -her. Jess and I tease her a lot, and she lets us have anything we want -to eat; but we mustn't on any account interfere with her in other ways, -or there'd be trouble!" - -Bess did not enlighten Corinne, however, as to the real reason for -their consideration of Sarah. It was because of an episode that had -happened when she and her twin sister were several years younger. They -had rebelled one fine day at what they considered Sarah's tyranny, -and for twelve long hours had led her a life of excitement and angry -remonstrance. And then that night, just as their mother arrived home, -behold Sarah descending the stairs, dressed for departure, a huge -carpetbag in each hand. A stormy and tearful scene ensued in which -Sarah finally relented at the urgent importunities of the distracted -Mrs. Bronson. But she promised to remain only on condition that the -twins should obey her implicitly from that moment. - -And in the privacy of their bedroom that night Mrs. Bronson had warned -the nine-year-old rebels that, should such a scene ever occur again, -she would give up their home, put Margaret in a sanatorium and the -twins in the strictest boarding-school she could find, and herself find -a place to live nearer to her business. The threat had its lasting -effect, and nothing of the kind had ever happened since. But this was -the true reason why the family lived in wholesome awe of Sarah. And, as -the twins were anything but proud of the episode, they never referred -to it. - -"Sarah will probably do just as she threatened," added Jess, looking -meaningly at Corinne, "and lock up the attic. She's awfully particular -about that place! You'd think it was as important as the parlor!" - -Suddenly Margaret, who could endure the suspense no longer, burst out: - -"If some one doesn't tell me quick all about that mysterious thing you -found in the attic, I'll—I'll go _crazy_!" Then she dropped back in -her chair, overcome anew by shyness at having been so vehement before a -comparative stranger. - -"Oh, tell her, right away!" cried Corinne. "I know just how she feels!" - -"Well, it happened this way," began Jess, between a sip of chocolate -and a bite of drop-cake. "Corinne and I were looking at the -spinning-wheel—" - -"Yes, and it's a beauty, too!" interrupted Corinne. "You ought to have -it down here." - -"—and then we got to poking around, looking into some boxes and -talking about the funny old hooded cradle that Mother brought from her -home in Massachusetts. And all of a sudden Corinne spied that little -old hair-trunk,—do you remember it, Bess?—and she said she'd never -seen an old trunk like that before. I asked her if she'd like to look -into it. I really didn't remember, myself, what the inside was like or -what was kept in it. She said she would, so we started to haul it down. -It's rather small, and Sarah had it piled way up on that high shelf. - -"Well, I guess we gave it too hard a jerk, for all of a sudden, down -it came—smash!—and flew open (you know it hasn't any lock now), and -everything in it was scattered all over the floor. Sarah had all our -winter flannels packed away in it, and you can imagine what a time -we had picking them up and trying to fold and get them back so she -wouldn't know what had happened! - -[Illustration: "Corinne noticed that the bottom of the trunk seemed all -wrong"] - -"But here's the queer part of it! Just after we'd collected all the -things and folded them nicely and were going to put them back, -Corinne noticed that the bottom of the trunk seemed all wrong. One -corner of it was humped up as though it had been knocked through in -falling. I tell you I was scared, for I thought Sarah'd just go wild -when she found it out! But when we turned the trunk upside down,—lo -and behold! the bottom of it was _all right_—just as tight as a trivet! - -"If we weren't astonished! We just didn't know what to make of it! Then -we turned it back, and I put my hand under the part that was poked up, -gave it a pull, and—it came right out!—the whole bottom! And there, -if you please, was the _real_ bottom of the trunk, underneath! But -between the two was lying hidden—_this_!" Jess ran to the bookcase, -pulled out the mysterious object she had concealed there, and crossing -the room laid it in Margaret's lap. They all crowded about the chair. - -"Why!" exclaimed Bess, in a tone of great disappointment, before -the others could speak, "it's only an old, dusty, disreputable -account-book with the back torn off. I don't see anything so wonderful -in that!" - -"Wait till you've seen what's inside!" remarked Corinne, quietly. -Margaret, meanwhile, was fingering the crumbly leather cover, wondering -at its queer, mottled aspect. Then she opened it to the first page and -suddenly gave a big gasp. - -"Well, of all things!" she murmured. "What in the world can it mean? I -never saw anything like it before!" - -"Neither did I!" agreed Bess, now in a tone of real awe. The other two -only smiled, with a rather "I-told-you-so!" expression. Well might they -marvel over its strange contents. The pages were yellow with age and -mottled with curious brown stains, and some of them were torn. But the -writing was still visible, and this is what it looked like:— - -[Illustration] - -with similar characters all down the first page. A glance through the -rest of the long thin book revealed the same array of bewildering -symbols to the very last leaf, where the back cover was missing. - -The four sat for a moment in silent astonishment, trying to make some -sense out of the riddle. Suddenly Margaret had an idea. - -"I know! It's shorthand! I've read that that is writing with funny -curves and dots and wiggly lines." - -"No," Corinne gently corrected her, "I don't think it's shorthand, -Margaret. I saw some shorthand that Father's stenographer wrote once, -and it was quite different from this. Besides, this seems quite old, as -if it were done many years ago, and shorthand's a comparatively modern -invention, I think." - -"Well, then, it must be Chinese or Syrian or Russian or something like -that!" asserted Jess. "I've seen lots of signs over the stores of -foreigners that don't look so very different from this. Or—oh, I know -now! it's _Greek_!" - -Corinne laughed. "No indeed, it isn't Greek!" she declared. "Father -taught me the Greek alphabet when I was a tiny girl, and made me learn -to know the letters. I'm going to study it when I go to college. This -is entirely different. I don't believe they're letters of any other -language, either." - -She sat in frowning thought over the strange page for several minutes, -while the others watched her in breathless interest. They, having -no further solutions to offer, threw themselves unreservedly on her -greater resourcefulness. Jess, meanwhile, refilled the chocolate-cups, -and Bess passed the cake, while Margaret reveled in such excitement as -she had never before experienced. Corinne still remained thoughtfully -turning the pages. Suddenly she exclaimed: - -"I have it!—at least, I _think_ so!" - -"What? what? oh, quick!" they begged. - -"I think some one has written all this in what they call a—a 'cipher.' -I've heard of such things. Father told me people often send messages -over the telegraph or cable in cipher—" - -"But what is that? How?" demanded Margaret. - -"Why, they have certain words or expressions which stand for other -words or even whole sentences. And you can't understand the message -unless you have the 'code' or explanation. For instance, a man may -cable just the words 'Pay Smith' to his broker, and that may mean 'Buy -me five thousand bushels of wheat to-day.'" - -"Yes, but that isn't a bit like what's here," argued Margaret. - -"No, but it's the same idea," Corinne declared. "I think in this case -some one has taken certain signs to represent the different letters of -the alphabet. First I thought that perhaps each sign might stand for -a different word. But that could hardly be, because there are so many -words, one could hardly find signs enough to go round. And besides, I -notice in looking through the book that there are comparatively few -signs, and they are constantly repeated." She fell to gazing silently -at the book again, while the others watched, still more fascinated by -the discoveries she was making. Presently she looked up again. - -"I've found out something else, I think. Do you see that sign of the -triangle? Well, if you notice, that occurs more frequently than any of -the others. In the first five lines there are more than fourteen of -them, and no other sign happens as frequently as that. Now, if these -signs stand for letters, that couldn't be a letter, even if it were one -of the commonest, like 'a' or 'i' or 'e'—" - -"What _can_ it be then?" whispered Margaret, in a voice so tense that -they all laughed. - -"I think it means the _space_ between the words!" vouchsafed Corinne. -"You see, there'd have to be _something_ to indicate spaces. You -couldn't have the words all jumbled up together. It wouldn't make -sense!" - -"Well, you are wonderful!" sighed Jess, sitting back on her heels. "I -never would have thought of it in a century!" - -"Oh, no!" laughed Corinne. "There's nothing wonderful about that. It's -only common sense and puzzling it out like a riddle. Now see! If we -take it for granted that the triangle means a space between the words, -this sign of the dot between two triangles must be either the letter -'a,' 'I' or 'O,' for those are the only words of just one letter. -But you can't tell which it is till you've puzzled out some more. -And—after all, this idea may be all wrong. It may be something quite -different, for all we know!" - -"But what can it all be about?" began Jess, going off on another tack. -"And how under the sun did the thing get hidden away in our old trunk -under a false bottom. It's awfully mysterious!" - -"Tell you what I think," volunteered Corinne. "Whatever it is, it's -been in that trunk for years and years—hidden there, perhaps, when the -trunk belonged to some one else. Do you know where it came from—the -trunk, I mean?" - -"No, I don't even know whether it was Father's or Mother's," answered -Jess. "But I can ask Mother. Maybe she'd know." - -"I'd like to puzzle this thing out!" mused Corinne. "Who knows! Perhaps -we'd find it was something awfully interesting. It's simply full of -mystery and—and possibilities!" At this point, Margaret, who during -all the latter conversation had been fidgeting with impatience, began: - -"Now, girls, look here! I've just had the most delightful idea! We've -made the discovery of something awfully interesting, probably, if we -could only find out what it's all about. Why not let's form ourselves -into a secret society—just we four—with the purpose of finding out -all about this mystery? We won't let another soul into the secret—not -even Mother. Oh, it'll be _such_ fun! Do, _please_!" - -She looked imploringly at the twins, and for once they did not appear -to object—even looked a trifle interested. For it was the ambition of -Margaret's pitiful, limited little life to be the member of a "secret -society." She had read much of school fraternities and clubs, and the -fascinating idea had taken a firm root in her mind. Of course for -her—poor helpless little invalid that she was—there could be no -such thing as membership or participation in the real organizations. -In place of this, she was forever begging her sisters to form a tiny -society of their own, just the three, and have meetings and secrets and -all the paraphernalia of the big school "frats." - -But the idea had never appealed to the twins. They had no interest in -any of the school clubs except the basket-ball and tennis teams. And -to have a make-believe one at home with no earthly or apparent object -was something they had never yet brought themselves to consider, much -as they loved their invalid sister. But here was something a trifle -different! Margaret, quick to see her advantage, hastened on: - -"Oh, yes! _Do_ let's have one! Wouldn't it be a good idea, Corinne? -Think of the fun we'd have, meeting and puzzling out this queer old -book! Perhaps it might lead to something important, too. And I've even -thought of a name for it,—we could call it the _Antiquarian Club_!" - -The latter idea captured Corinne. "That's a dandy name for -it,—'Antiquarian Club'! I _like_ that! And besides, it's true, too, -for if this isn't an antiquity, I'd like to know what is! Yes, let's -have the club!" Corinne was moved to accept the idea by two impulses. -The notion really did appeal to her, but even if it hadn't, she would -have pretended it did for the sake of the pathetic little figure in the -invalid-chair, who was rapidly taking a firm hold of her heart. - -"Oh, goody! And you do like the idea, too, don't you, girls?" exclaimed -Margaret. The twins capitulated unreservedly. - -"Yes, we do," said Bess. "I've always detested such societies because -they seemed so useless. But this thing is really worth having a club -for!" - -Margaret, however, had something else on her mind. "Oh, just one thing -more," she added, a little shyly. "Could I—could I be—_president_? -All clubs have to have a president. I would so love to be!" - -"Indeed you shall!" spoke up Corinne before either of the others had a -chance. "We elect you at once—unanimously—don't we, girls? And now, -Miss President, you can appoint the rest of us to other offices!" - -Margaret flushed with pleasure. "I appoint you, Corinne, to be -secretary. There always has to be one of those. And there usually is a -treasurer, if there is any money to handle. But there won't be here, -for we won't have any dues. So I don't know what to call the others." - -"Let's just be plain members, for the present," suggested Bess. "And -now, what are we going to do about this book, Miss President?" - -"I think we ought to let Corinne take it home and see if she can puzzle -out any more of it before next meeting," decided Margaret. "That would -be all right, wouldn't it?" They all agreed. - -"I'd like to show it to Father and ask him what he thinks—" began -Corinne, but Margaret hastily interrupted: - -"Oh, no! You mustn't do _that_! You know it's a _secret_ society, and -we aren't going to tell any one about anything in it. And besides—" - -"Yes, and besides," put in Jess, "if we tell _any one_ about this -book, it might somehow leak out and get back to Sarah what we'd done -in breaking the trunk, and then there might be _trouble_!" She looked -meaningly at Bess. - -"Oh, no!" assented the latter hastily. "We mustn't tell a soul!" -Plainly the twins still lived in dread of the awful threat made so many -years ago. They knew that Sarah was even yet fully capable of putting -it into execution—under sufficient provocation! - -"All right," agreed Corinne. "I won't breathe a word of this, then, -and I'll see what I can do to make head or tail of the thing. But, -mercy!" glancing at her watch, "it's nearly six o'clock, and I ought -to have been home long ago. I'll take the car at the corner, I guess." -She hurried into her wraps, gathered up the precious "find" with her -school-books, and bade the girls good-by. - -"It's been a remarkable afternoon for me!" she declared as she kissed -Margaret. "I feel like a _real_ antiquarian now. Hurrah for the -Antiquarian Club! Let's have another meeting as soon as I've made some -progress with this!" She tapped the old account-book significantly and -hurried away. - -"Oh!" sighed Margaret, blissfully, settling back in her chair, "this -is positively the most wonderful day I ever spent in my life! Can -I ever wait for the next meeting?" The twins stood by her chair, -looking thoughtful. They too were strangely stirred out of their usual -unimaginative selves. - -"Well, I confess, I never dreamed of anything so queer happening in -_this_ old ranch!" marveled Bess. "It's all Corinne's doings." - -That night Mrs. Bronson came home very late from business, but she -went in, as was her invariable custom, to peep at her little invalid -daughter before she herself retired. To her surprise, she found -Margaret still awake. - -"Dear, you're not ill, are you?" she inquired anxiously. "You're -usually asleep at this time." - -But Margaret only laughed a happy little laugh. "No, Mummy, I'm all -right,—only just too interested to sleep! Do you remember what you -once said about an _adventure_ turning up? Well, it has,—the loveliest -kind of a one! But I can't tell you about it, because it's a secret. -You won't mind, will you?" - -Mrs. Bronson smiled. "No indeed, I won't mind! Just as long as you're -happy and contented, I don't mind a thing! Did the twins' new friend -come to see you to-day? And did you like her?" - -At this, Margaret entered on such a vivid and enthusiastic account of -Corinne, that Mrs. Bronson heaved a sigh of thankfulness for the new -interest in her little girl's empty life. - -An hour later Margaret fell asleep to dream, the night through, of -strange, hieroglyphic symbols, and all the weird things they might -stand for. But not a thing she dreamed of was as curious as the reality -that Corinne was soon to disclose! - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -A KEY TO THE MYSTERY - - -The next few days passed in a fever of impatience for Margaret. Each -afternoon she besieged the twins for news of Corinne and her progress -with the "cipher." And every day their report was about the same: - -"She thinks she's on the right track, but she can't tell surely yet. -It's pretty difficult, you know, and Corinne has to study and do other -things, too, besides puzzling over that." - -"But has she found out _any_ of the letters?" Margaret would demand. - -"She _thinks_ so, but she can't be sure till she's made them _all_ -out definitely." And Bess would add, "Now, do be reasonable, Miss -President! Your secretary is doing her very best. But if you don't -think she's a success, you might take the job away from her and give -it to _me_!" At which Margaret would chuckle derisively. - -Truth to tell, the twins were almost as anxious as she for a solution -of the mystery. The sudden introduction of this new element into their -hitherto wholly athletic and unimaginative existences, they found, to -their surprise, even more diverting than the most exciting tennis-match -or basket-ball struggle. About a week after Corinne's first visit, all -three burst in breathlessly upon Margaret, one cold afternoon, and -transported her to the seventh heaven of delight with this exciting -news: "Corinne's got it, at last! Haven't you, Corinne! - -"Yes," she admitted, giving Margaret a big hug of greeting, "I think -I've puzzled out most of the letters now, and I've even worked out a -few of the first sentences—" - -"Yes, and she says they're awfully strange!" interrupted the twins, in -chorus. "And she wouldn't tell us a word, though we begged her hard!" - -"Well, Miss President," laughed Corinne, "it seemed to me that this was -a thing to be revealed only in a solemn meeting of the club and in your -presence. Was I right?" - -"Indeed you were!" declared Margaret. "Don't you ever tell them a thing -before you've told me, will you?" - -"I won't!" promised Corinne. "It shall be the first rule of our -society,—no discoveries told to ordinary members before the president -hears them! And now let's get to business!" They all drew up before the -cozy open fire. - -"Oh, isn't this lovely!" sighed Corinne. She opened the old -account-book and placed beside it a paper on which she had written the -letters of the alphabet, and next to each the sign that appeared to -stand for it. - -"I had the _worst_ time puzzling this out!" she said. "I worked and -worked over it and changed them all around nearly forty times before -I struck anything that seemed just right. But now I guess we've got -it, at last! I'm sure 'a' is this perpendicular straight line, 'b' the -rectangle with the bottom missing, 'c' the horizontal parallels—and -so on. Now, as I've said, I've made out the first few sentences and -they seem awfully strange! Here they are." She turned the paper over -and read: - -"'This is a house of mystery, and strange, unaccountable dread. I -feel daily that something menaces me—that my life is not safe.'" A -delicious shudder ran through the listening group. - -"Oh, isn't this _gorgeous_!" half whispered Margaret. "It fills me -with—with thrills!" Corinne went on: - -"'Therefore I am keeping this little journal from time to time. Should -aught evil befall me in this strange land and among these unfriendly -people, at least I will leave some record whereby my own kin may trace -my fate, perchance, at some future day. I dare not write this out in -good English lest it be discovered by those who hate me. So I have -invented this secret code, whereof none save myself knows the key. This -book I found in the library unused and I have taken it. I trust it will -be counted no act of thievery. I keep it hidden in the false bottom of -my trunk. The key of the code I have put in another spot. As soon as my -memory has mastered it, I will destroy it. 'Tis safer.'—And that's as -far as I got!" ended Corinne. - -For a moment they all sat dumb with amazement. - -"What _do_ you make of it?" exclaimed Bess. "Who is it,—a man or a -woman? When was it written, and where? Why, I'm just wild to find out -all about it!" - -"I confess," admitted Corinne, "that I don't know _what_ to make of it. -I've puzzled and puzzled over it all day—" - -"But, good gracious!" interrupted the impatient Margaret, "of course -we can't make anything out of it till we've worked out some more! Come -ahead! Right now! We're only wasting time talking about it!" - -"That's so!" laughed Corinne. "And when we can find out right away, by -getting to work! Here, Margaret! You write, while I spell the thing -out!" She thrust the paper and pencil into Margaret's hands, while the -twins hung over her as she slowly deciphered the sentences: - -"'Would—that—I—had—never—left—my—peaceful—Bermuda—'" Corinne -dropped the book suddenly. - -"_Bermuda!_—I've been there! Oh, this is fine!" - -"Have _you_ been to Bermuda?" exclaimed Margaret and the twins, with -awe. "When?" - -"Last winter, with Father. He was ill, and we stayed six weeks. It was -heavenly!" - -"You lucky girl!" sighed Margaret. "But, go on! We must find out more, -right away!" - -Corinne took up the book and began anew: "'But since I did wilfully -abandon my home—aye!—and Grandfather, too, even though he does not -love me—'" - -"'Grandfather'?" interrupted Bess. "He can't be very old, if he has a -grandfather living!" - -"Doesn't seem likely," murmured Corinne, spelling out another word -under her breath, then continuing: - -"'—and did in venturesome manner contribute my aid to the plot -against my country, I must pay the price, I fear. I am watched -constantly. I take no walk abroad, even in the grounds, but I feel that -I am spied upon. The affection of Madame M. has changed to dislike. -She, too, suspects me. 'Tis hard for a lass of but sixteen—'" - -"_A lass!_" shouted all four. "And only _sixteen_!" - -"Oh, girls!" cried Corinne, rocking back and forth in her excitement. -"She's just like ourselves—only a year older than I am! What _can_ be -the trouble—or rather, what _could_ have been the trouble with the -poor little thing?" - -"Go on! go on!" ordered Margaret, with glistening eyes. "Let's find out!" - -Corinne snatched up the book again: "'to be alone and friendless in -a strange land and to feel so constantly in danger. But I must not -complain. I brought it on myself. As I have said, Madame M. no longer -appears to care for me. She was so cordial and affectionate at first, -partly for Aunt's sake, no doubt, and partly because she really seemed -to like me. But since the day when I spoke to Lady ——, at the time -her coach broke down, Madame M. has regarded me only with suspicion.'" - -"I wish I knew who 'Madame M.' was, and 'Lady Blank,'" put in Margaret. -"How mysterious she is—never writing out their full names!" - -"Perhaps she didn't dare," said Corinne. "You see, she says she's in -danger. But, oh!—listen to what she says next!—'There is something -which weighs right heavily on my conscience. 'Tis the matter of the -sapphire signet. But of that I will speak later.'" - -"_The sapphire signet!_" breathed the twins in a tone of hushed awe. -"Doesn't it sound rich and gorgeous and—and _mysterious_! What's a -'signet,' anyway?" - -"I think," explained Corinne, "that it's another name for a -seal—something with a monogram or crest or coat-of-arms, used to -stamp on sealing-wax. Father has one set in a ring—not a sapphire -though—just some ordinary stone with his monogram on. He never uses -it, but he told me once that in former times they were used a great -deal when letters were only sealed with wax. Oh! _what_ do you suppose -this matter of the sapphire signet is all about! Isn't it wildly -exciting? But, goodness!" glancing at her watch, "it's awfully late -again, and I must get home. The time goes so fast, and it takes so long -to puzzle all this out!" - -"I have an idea!" began Margaret, hesitatingly. "Suppose _I_ do the -puzzling out and write it down, now that Corinne has discovered the -way. I have so much time that I don't know what to do with, and this -would be so interesting! Then, when we meet again in a couple of days, -I could read it right off to you without any trouble. We could get on -so much faster!" - -"I think that's splendid!" agreed Corinne. "And much as I'm crazy to -find out right away what happens, I'd rather wait and hear a lot of it -read at once. Wouldn't you all?" - -"Yes, that's a good scheme," admitted Bess, "except for one thing. How -about Sarah? You'd have a hard time hiding this from her, Margaret, and -you know she simply mustn't find out!" For a moment they all looked -"stumped." The obstacle seemed almost insuperable, when Jess had a -brilliant idea. - -"Tell you what! We'll hide the thing in the bookcase, way back here -behind these old encyclopedias,—the account-book, the paper, and a -brand-new fat blank-book that I'll give you to do all the copying in. -You can tell Sarah to wheel you over to the bookcase because you want -to read. Then, when she's out of the way, you can work to your heart's -content. But do hide everything whenever you hear her coming!" - -"Oh, good! Just the thing! Sarah'll never suspect in the world!" -laughed Margaret. "And there's no difficulty about hearing her -coming—she weighs two hundred and fifty pounds!" - -"Well, that's settled then," said Corinne, "and I'll have to go. But -I'm coming day after to-morrow, if I can manage to wait. It's better -than the loveliest book I ever read! Good-by!" - -When she had gone, the three sisters sat and looked at one another with -an expression of sheer wonder on their faces. In one week, through the -agency of this same "queer," quiet girl, their absolutely uninteresting -and commonplace lives had been transformed into an unbelievable round -of mystery and discovery and romance. And the strange part of it was -that this same mystery had been lying here—right under their noses, so -to speak—all these years, and they had never even suspected it, while -she had been in the house scarcely half an hour and had run it straight -to earth! Some such thought was in Margaret's mind when she presently -exclaimed: - -"Isn't she just _wonderful_! I think she's the most interesting person -I ever met in my life!" - -"So do I!" echoed Jess. - -"Oh, I shall just dream of this all night!" whispered Margaret. "It's -the most thrilling thing I ever heard of—this puzzle-story—and the -best of it is, it's all our own. We discovered it! To-morrow you may -envy me, girls, for I'll be finding out—all about the sapphire signet, -_and_ what happened next!" - - - - -CHAPTER V - -"THE LASS OF RICHMOND HILL" - - -Two afternoons later, the three active members of the Antiquarian -Club rushed up the stoop of the Charlton Street house in a breathless -scurry. And Margaret awaited them in the parlor in a fever of no less -eager excitement. - -"Hurry, girls!" she cried when the first greetings were over. "I've -just got heaps to read to you! And some of it'll make you 'sit up and -take notice,' as Alexander says!" - -"Who's Alexander?" queried Corinne, curiously. - -"Oh, he's a boy-cousin who lives with us," Bess enlightened her. "He -was Mother's sister's child, and his parents are both dead now, so -Mother had him come here a year or two ago. He's twelve years old and -a perfect nuisance! He hates girls, so he generally keeps out of our -way. That's why you've never seen him. But, come on! I'm wild to hear -what's coming next! Margaret wouldn't tell us a single thing she's -found out." - -"Wait a minute before we begin," spoke up Corinne, "and let's just run -over what we've already discovered. It'll keep us from getting mixed -up. A young girl of sixteen has run away from her home in Bermuda, and -is in some place where she thinks her life is in danger. Before she -ran away, she did something to assist in some plot against her country -(which must be Bermuda), and probably that's one reason why she is in -danger. Maybe something's been discovered about it. She's staying with -a Madame M., and it seems to be a house of mystery. - -"One thing I have pretty well guessed, and probably so have you -all—that this must have happened a long time ago. Her language isn't -very—well, modern—sounds to me like stories I've read about old -England, and America too in former times. I think it's likely she's in -one of those two countries when she writes—probably England, because -she speaks of '_Madame M._' and '_Lady Blank_,' and those titles -don't somehow go with America. Then there's something strange about -a sapphire signet. But go on now, Margaret! Maybe you've discovered -something new!" - -Margaret smiled mysteriously. "Perhaps just a _few_ things!" she -admitted. "Here's where we left off. I've copied it all from the -beginning. You remember where she tells about explaining the signet -later? Now I'll go on: - - "There is something strange and evil about this house. I can trust - no one. Especially do I mistrust the steward. He hath a sleek smile - and ingratiating manners, but he is wicked to the heart of him. - He associates much with one Corbie, who keeps the tavern down the - road hard by the woods. Corbie has been to this house, and once was - closeted long with the steward. When he came forth to go, he gazed - hard at me as I stood on the lawn. It made me shudder for an hour - afterward." - -"That's the first name she has mentioned—'Corbie,'" interrupted -Corinne. "Let's remember it. Who knows but it may help us?" - -"There's another coming right away," added Margaret, "though I don't -know whether it will be of any help or not. - - "But one thing has happened lately to cheer me. Two nights ago I - went to my room, which does not look toward the river, but toward - the back of the house. I was minded to retire early, having naught - to occupy me through the long evening. Madame M. retires at nine, - but I never see her after the evening meal. She is usually in - conference with the steward, who has chief charge of the affairs of - this great house. She appears to place much confidence in him. But - that is not to the point. - - "I had opened my window and was leaning out a moment when I heard a - softly whistled tune, and knew that H. was there. For the tune he - ever whistles is 'The Lass of Richmond Hill,' which he declared, - when first he brought me here, was right appropriate to me now." - -"I wonder why?" queried Jess. - -"I can't imagine," answered Corinne; "'lass' she certainly is, but what -has 'Richmond Hill' to do with it? What _is_ 'Richmond Hill,' and where?" - -"Mother has a friend who lives in Richmond Hill, Long Island," ventured -Bess. - -"Oh, _that_ can't be it!" declared Corinne, scornfully. "That's only a -little new suburb that's hardly been in existence thirty years! It has -nothing whatever to do with this! And I wonder who 'H.' is, too. Well, -go on, Margaret." - -Margaret obediently continued: - - "At hearing him, my heart did beat gladly, for he is the one person - I have seen who reminds me of home. I leaned far out and called - to him softly, and presently he threw into my window a letter - weighted with a stone. It said he and his uncle had not been back - to Bermuda, nor would they dare to go for many a long day. One of - their traitorous sailors had divulged the plot, and the authorities - were wild only to lay hands on them. This they had learned in - roundabout fashion. They had been cruising along the coast lately, - and had had not a few adventures. They were sailing at midnight - for parts unknown. He did but come up hastily to see how I fared, - before they left. - - "In a moment I threw down an answering missive, telling of my - present plight, and begging that he and his uncle would take me - back to Bermuda should they ever be sailing there again. That was - all I had time for, since he knew he dared not linger. He went - away silently into the night. 'Twas brave of him to come, since he - knows it would be ill for him to be seen hereabout, now that so - much seems to have been discovered." - -[Illustration: "He gazed hard at me as I stood on the lawn"] - -Margaret paused here and half whispered: "Hold your breath now, girls! -We're coming to the _sapphire signet_!" Then she went on with the -reading: - - "I must now explain about the sapphire signet. Night after night I - lie awake and ask myself why I ever took it—why I was ever tempted - to add this mistake to the rest of my misdoings. At the time it - seemed no wrong,—nay, it seemed entirely _right_ that I should - take with me what Grandfather has so often said was mine, though - he deemed it safer not to allow me to have it in my keeping till I - should come of age. - - "'Tis such a pretty bauble—this wonderful blue stone larger than - my thumb-nail, with our family crest graved on it and set all - round the edge with tiny, sparkling diamonds. Grandfather told me - that the sapphire was once in a great ring, and from generation to - generation had been handed down to the eldest son of the family. - He said, moreover, that it ever should have remained a ring; that - 'twas a crime it should have been changed. But 'twas my mother's - whim that it should be taken from the ring, set round with - diamonds, and made into an ornament for her neck. He said that - once, when they were in London not long after their marriage, she - wheedled my father into having it changed, and came home to Bermuda - with the jewel hanging from a slender chain about her white throat. - And Grandfather was filled with wrath at her and never forgave her. - Had I been a boy, he says, he would have had the stone reset in a - ring. But since the only heir to it is a girl, he has allowed it to - remain thus, and once scornfully told me that 'twas 'as useless now - as I was,' and might as well so remain. - - "On rare occasions, Grandfather has let me wear it—once to a grand - tea-drinking at St. George's, where 'twas much admired. But mainly - he has kept it in his great strong box. It seemed no harm that - day for me to take it. The box stood invitingly open. The jewel - was really mine, and I possessed no other ornament. Even then I - realized that I might never see my home or Grandfather again. So I - took it—Heaven forgive me!—thinking it no wrong. But I have come - to feel differently since. In these long, lonely months, when I - have had so much time to think and to regret, I can see how this - act of mine must appear to Grandfather and to all who know me. - Even though it was in effect my own, it was still in his keeping, - and I should never have taken it without his consent. I dare not - even wonder what he must think of me, and I live only for the - opportunity to return home and place the signet in his hands. - - "From the very first I have never dared openly to wear the - beautiful thing; and since my conscience began to trouble me, I - have never wished to. Long since, I removed it from its velvet - riband and concealed it. Nor must I, even here, disclose where it - is hidden. To do so would be neither safe nor wise. Suffice it that - I will never more wear the bauble till I have restored it to its - rightful keeper, my grandfather." - -Margaret paused again, and there was a blissful sigh from all her -assembled listeners. - -"Isn't it the most fascinating thing—this sapphire signet business?" -exclaimed Corinne, at last. "I can just imagine how the poor girl -felt. She hadn't meant any harm in taking it—it had seemed perfectly -_right_. And then her conscience got to troubling her till she hadn't a -peaceful minute! But where in the world could she have hidden it? Does -it tell later on, Margaret?" - -"Not that I've discovered as yet, but there are a lot of other -interesting things—" - -"Go on, go on then!" chorused the waiting three, impatient of anything -that broke the thread of the story. - -"Well, the next seems to be written some time later, but I can't tell -how much. This is something like a diary, only she doesn't put down any -dates. She just seems to leave spaces between the different entries. -It's kind of confusing. Now she says: - - "A strange thing happened last night. At midnight I awoke. I heard - confused sounds on the road without. Carts creaking by, men shouting - and calling, women crying, and children screaming as with fright. - The sounds continued till near morning. An endless procession of - carts and coaches. 'Twould seem as though the whole city were in - flight. 'Twas odd to hear so much racket in this quiet region. - - "To-day the whole household is in agitation. Fear seems to have - seized on all. The servants are in a panic. Only the steward seems - undisturbed. Madame M. is calm in manner, but I can see that she is - much perturbed inwardly." - -"What in the world could have been happening?" demanded Bess. "She -speaks of the 'city.' I wonder what city, and what was the matter? Why -should every one be leaving it?" - -"I've been thinking all along that she was somewhere in England," -suggested Corinne, "though I can't imagine what part. Anyway—" - -"Wait!" cried Margaret. "Why don't you let me go on?" - -"That's so!" agreed Corinne. "It's foolish not to see what's coming -before we try to make sense of it. Go on!" - -Margaret continued. "Next she says: - - "Some of the servants left yesterday. I now know the cause. The - rebels are threatening to take possession of the city. Ships filled - with soldiers stand in the waters near by. 'Tis feared there will - be a great battle soon. Madame M. is very ill. She has taken to - her bed. I think great fear has made her so—and great anger. She - is being cared for by the housekeeper, Mistress Phœbe. I have come - to like Mistress Phœbe. She is the one soul who treats me with - kindness unfailing. She, too, hates the steward. She told me so. - She and the steward and one other servant are all that are left - here now. The rest have fled. Would that the steward had fled also! - He seems to have some urgent reason for remaining. He has had - another interview with Corbie, in this house." - -"Wait a minute!" interrupted Corinne, once more. "I have an idea. I -am going to put down on a paper every name she mentions, no matter -how insignificant, and see if they will lead us to any sort of a clue. -_Names_ are about the only clues for finding out things, when you come -to think of it!" She hunted in her bag for a pencil and notebook. Then -she continued: - -"Now, there's 'Bermuda'—that was the first, and the only real definite -thing we've discovered yet—and 'London.' Then there's 'Madame M.,' -which doesn't help much. And 'Lady Blank' is no good at all, nor -is 'H.' 'Corbie' may be useful, but I don't think Mistress Phœbe' -will—and that's all, I guess." - -"No, it isn't," contradicted Margaret. "You forgot the 'Lass of -Richmond Hill'!" - -"True enough! Of course that's only the name of a song, but I'll put it -down. Who knows but what it _may_ be the most important of all! I have -a book of old songs at home, and I have just a faint idea that there's -one of that name in it. I'll hunt it up to-night. But as usual, it's -late, and I must be hurrying along. Haven't you read about all you've -puzzled out, Margaret?" - -"I've done another entry," replied Margaret, slowly and mysteriously, -"and perhaps you'd better hear it. It may be worth your while!" - -"Oh, what is it?" cried Corinne, pausing in the act of adjusting her -hat. "Quick!" - -"Here it is: - - "Madame M. sent for me to-day. 'Tis the first time since she took - to her bed. She did so to give me this strange warning. These be - her very words: 'It is rumored that this house may soon be taken - possession of by rebels. If so, I wish you to have no communication - with any of them, Mistress Alison." - -There was an instant's silence. Then Corinne threw her hat on a chair -and exclaimed: - -"Hurrah! At _last_ we have this mysterious lassie's name! It's _Alison_! -That's the biggest discovery yet. Is there any more?" - -"Yes, one thing," answered Margaret, "the strangest of all. It's a later -entry and is only three words long—the first word twice underlined: - - "‗He‗ has come!" - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -A SURPRISE - - -The girls got together again on the following afternoon, for they could -not possibly have stretched their patience to the limit of another day! -Margaret had promised to work like a Trojan till they arrived and to -have much to read to them. It was with breathless interest that they -drew their chairs around her. - -"My! I couldn't study a thing, or keep my mind off this a single minute -to-day in school!" sighed Jess. "I guess I failed in every blessed -recitation." - -"Me too!" echoed Bess. "If this suspense doesn't come to an end soon, -I'll be a failure for the term!" - -"Same here!" agreed Corinne. "I do envy Margaret, for she at least can be -working at it all day and satisfying her curiosity. Have you discovered -much more, honey?" Margaret smiled her slow, mysterious smile. She was -certainly enjoying herself, in a brand-new fashion these days. And -between meetings she guarded her secrets like a veritable sphinx. - -"Something's happening right along!" she answered enigmatically. "But -I've rather a surprise for you to-day." - -"What is it?" they demanded in one voice. - -"I sha'n't tell you till we come to it!" was her maddening reply. -"Shall I go on now?" - -"Just a minute," said Corinne. "I want to say that I looked up that old -song last night. In this collection I have, there is given a little -history of each song. Now, 'The Lass of Richmond Hill' was written -about a young girl, a Miss Janson, who lived on Richmond Hill, which is -near the little town of Leybourne, in England. It was written way back -about 1770, and the song was said to be a favorite of King George the -Third. It was quite popular at the time. That's absolutely all about -it. Of course, it's possible that place may be the one where Alison -was, but somehow I don't feel very sure of it. I rather think that -what she says about 'Richmond Hill' must have some other connection. -Now go on, Margaret!" - -"Very well," began Margaret. "We left off with the words, '_He_ has -come!' _He_ seems to be a very mysterious person, and some one of great -importance evidently. She goes on to say: - - "The house has been put at his disposal. Not, however, by Madame - M., for she would gladly slam the door in his face were she able, - but she is still in bed, ill. He is very considerate, and does - naught to disturb or annoy her. His servants and men are all about, - but they do not molest any of the household. Phœbe remains the - housekeeper and caters for him. She adores him, as does her father, - so she tells me. - - "I have exchanged no words with him. I have only seen him as he - sits in the library or walks about the grounds. He is absent - much—away in the city, Phœbe says. He is handsome and grave and - stern, but I think he is kind and gentle. I long to speak with him, - but I dare not. I am too carefully watched. - - "The steward is still here, and frequents much Corbie's tavern. He - asked me yesterday a few questions about Bermuda. I did not care to - have speech with him so I cut him short. He gave me an ugly look as - he walked away." - -Margaret stopped here to say, "Now comes something exciting!" - -The listening three sighed ecstatically. - - "There have been strange doings in this house. I have now turned - spy myself. Last night at a late hour, when all the household was - asleep, I heard stealthy footsteps passing my door. The sound - was most unusual, for _he_ was away in the city, and there was - consequently no guard. When the footsteps were past, I rose, opened - my door, and peeped out. I saw the steward. He was tiptoeing softly - down the hall toward the stairs, a candle in his hand. A sudden - resolve seized me. I would follow him in the dark, and see what - he did. I felt sure he planned some evil. I seized a dark-colored - shawl, drew it round me, and, in the shadow, crept after the light - of his candle. - - "Down the stairs he went, and I felt sure he would pause on the - lower floor and perchance enter _his_ room to rifle it. I crouched - on the stair and held my breath, but he passed on and opened a door - which gives on the stone steps leading to the wine-cellar. Once he - glanced back suspiciously, then the door closed behind him. As soon - as I dared, I followed. Opening the door with the greatest caution, - I peered down. His back was toward me, and he was drinking from an - upturned bottle. In a moment he put the bottle back on its shelf - and stood long in thought. - - "I was about to conclude that this was all he had come for and that - my fears were for naught, when he turned aside, took a knife from - his pocket, and went toward the far end of the cellar, leaving the - stairway in heavy shadow. Taking advantage of this, I crept down - the steps and watched him from the shelter of one of the pillars - that supported the floor above. In a moment he stopped, raised his - hand, and felt along the great beam above his head. I noted 'twas - the second beam from the end. At a distance of about ten feet from - the wall he pushed his knife-blade into the timber, and, behold! - something like a small door fell open! - - "Into the aperture thus left he thrust his two hands, and drew - forth a small iron box. This he placed on the ground near the - candle, and pressing a spring, threw back the lid. It seemed to - be filled with papers, and with something else that shone in the - candle-light. The latter, I soon learned, was a mass of golden - coins, for he plunged in his hand, took out a fistful, and put them - in a small leather bag he carried. Then he closed the box, put it - back in the hollow space, and shut the door of the secret opening - in the beam. I stayed to see no more, but fled hastily to my room. - 'Tis all most strange. What hides he in this secret place? Whose - gold is that? What evil does he plot? - -"Isn't that the most exciting thing you ever heard?" demanded Margaret, -breaking off. - -"Frightfully exciting!" agreed every one. - -"It's like an adventure in a book—only better!" added Corinne. "But, -Margaret, is _that_ the surprise you had for us?" - -"No, it isn't! That's coming just a little later. The next entry says: - - "_She_ has come! _He_ seems most glad to have his lady with him - once more. I have not yet spoken with her. She has only passed me, - bowing with stately courtesy. I think she has forgotten how I once - spoke with her. No wonder. Her mind is filled with anxious care. - Madame M. is still confined to her bed, and knows not that _she_ is - here. I think Madame M. is truly right ill." - -"_She_ must be _his_ wife, I suppose," interrupted Bess. "I do wish -Alison would call 'em by their names! This is so confusing!" - -Margaret only stopped long enough to say: "Now, the surprise is coming. -This is the next entry: - - "_He_ passed me in the hall to-day and wished me a good morning - in his grave, courtly fashion. Then he inquired after the health - of Madame M., and offered to send her up some fruit that he had - just received for his table. I knew not what to say. I was right - embarrassed. For Madame M. will accept naught from him, and—" - -Margaret stopped short. - -"Go on, go on!" they chorused. - -"I can't!" she answered. - -"Why not?" they inquired in wonder. - -"Because that's _all there is_!" she replied quietly. "We've come to -the end. That's the surprise I had for you!" - -"Well, I never!" ejaculated Bess in disgust, picking up the old -account-book and examining it curiously. The back cover was missing, -and it was not difficult to conjecture that many pages might also be -lacking. - -"That's the _queerest_!" mused Corinne. "Of course, the book is -rather thin, but I hadn't imagined that we'd finish it so soon. Those -characters are large, and take up more room than plain writing, I -suppose. But, my gracious!" She got up and began pacing around the -room impatiently. "This is perfectly _maddening_! To have it leave off -in such a place, without a sign of explanation of it all! Where's the -other part of that book? Could it possibly be in the old trunk where -we found this? Let's go up and see!" - -"No use in doing that," said Jess, "because Sarah's done exactly what -she threatened to—locked the attic door and hid the key. But anyhow, -I remember distinctly that there wasn't a sign of anything else under -that false bottom. It was absolutely empty after this fell out. -Wherever the rest is, it isn't there!" - -"Well," exclaimed Corinne, coming to an abrupt pause in her impatient -tramping, "there's one thing I'm firmly determined upon! I sha'n't rest -day or night till I've found some sort of an explanation for all this! -Do the rest of you agree with me? It's the most fascinating mystery I -ever came across, outside of a story-book, and I'm bound I'm not going -to be stumped by any obstacles!" - -"We surely do agree with you!" echoed Margaret. "We're just as crazy as -you are to unravel it all. And what's an antiquarian club good for, I'd -like to know, if not for something just like this! That's our business -from now on!" - -"The motion's carried!" agreed Bess. "But how in the world are we going -to go about it? Somehow it seems as if we'd reached a stone wall a mile -high—no getting around it or over it!" - -"Then we'll tunnel _under_ it!" laughed Corinne. "But first of all, -there's a question I'd like to settle. Where did that old hair-trunk -come from? How did it get in this house? Who owned it before you did?" - -"I can answer that," replied Margaret, "for I asked Mother about it -the other night. I did it in a roundabout sort of way, so she wouldn't -suspect why I wanted to know or think it queer that I asked. She -said it belonged to Father. He told her once that a friend of his, a -sea-captain, had given it to him years ago. The captain said it was an -heirloom that had been in the family many years. An ancestor of his -had found it in a vessel that had been wrecked, and had been floating -around for several months—a 'derelict,' Mother called it. This old -captain said it was so handy and substantial that he had carried it -with him on all his voyages. But as he wasn't going to sail any more, -and hadn't any children to leave it to, he gave it to Father." - -"Well, at least it explains one thing—how this strange book came to -be in your house," mused Corinne. "But it doesn't help a bit about -unraveling the rest of the mystery, after all. Now, the next thing is -to go over all this writing carefully, and see if we can find anything -we've overlooked that might be a clue. Oh, girls, I wish you'd let me -show this to Father! He'd be _so_ interested, and perhaps he could help -us with it, too!" - -"Well, as far is I'm concerned, you're welcome to," answered Bess, -and Jess nodded her head vigorously in assent. But Margaret cried out -pleadingly: - -"Oh, no, no, Corinne! Don't do that yet! It would spoil all our lovely -secret society to have grown folks know about it. Let's wait awhile and -see what we can do ourselves. And then if we find we can't make any -headway, I'll consent to telling Corinne's father." - -She was so earnest and so pathetic in her appeal, that not one of the -others had the heart to deny her request, knowing, as they did, what -the little club and its absorbingly interesting secret meant to her -shut-in, circumscribed life. - -"Very well, honey! We will do just as you say!" agreed Corinne, giving -her a hug. "Now let's read this whole thing over, and see if we can -unearth a clue." - -They started once more at the beginning, reading slowly and -thoughtfully through the strange record till they came again to the -allusion "The Lass of Richmond Hill." Suddenly Margaret interrupted: - -"I've thought of something! I lay awake a good part of last night, -because my back was hurting me, and I had a chance to think of things -rather hard. And then, some things we unearthed to-day and what Corinne -found out about that old song made this idea pop into my head just -now. You remember she said the song was written about 1770 and was a -favorite of George the Third? That made me think of the Revolution. And -then I suddenly remembered what Alison had said about 'rebels.' Girls, -you can take my word for it—all this thing happened right here in -America, and during the Revolutionary War! Can't you see it?" - -Corinne sat up very straight for a moment. Then she burst out: - -"We're a pack of _lunatics_—all but Margaret. She's the only one -that's got a grain of common sense! Of _course_ it was during the -Revolution—every other word Alison says points to it! And that being -the case, the rest is easy! Good-by! I'm going straight home to look up -Revolutionary history!" - -And flinging on her hat and coat, without further ceremony of farewell, -she was off, leaving the three staring speechlessly after her! - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -THE DISCOVERIES CORINNE MADE - - -Corinne did not reappear for nearly a week. During all that time the -twins, who only saw her in school, reported that she would have nothing -to say to them outside of this statement: - -"Let me alone, girls, just for a while. I'm working hard at it. When -I've run to earth something worth while, I'll tell you, and we'll have -another meeting!" And that was absolutely all they could get from her. - -Meanwhile, Margaret was passing the slow days in a fever of impatience -and baffled expectation. Now that she no longer had her mind occupied -by puzzling out the curious old journal and could only sit and wait for -the results of Corinne's work, she grew terribly restless. So much so, -indeed, that the lynx-eyed Sarah, who watched her beloved charge like a -cat, made up her mind that Margaret was beginning to have symptoms of -a real fever. She prepared, therefore, a huge bowl of boneset tea to be -taken in instalments. - -Now, if there was any one thing under the sun that Margaret hated more -than another, it was boneset tea! And, moreover, in this case she knew -that there was absolutely no need of the remedy. But this she dared not -confide to Sarah lest she awaken fresh suspicion in that handmaiden's -already too suspicious mind. So she swallowed her bitter doses -uncomplainingly, and longed for Corinne's coming for more reasons than -one! - -And then at last, six days later, Corinne came flying home with the -twins one afternoon, and all three burst in unexpectedly on the -delighted Margaret. Corinne was armed with a load of volumes that were -plainly not school-books, and these she planked down on the floor -beside the invalid-chair with just one brief remark: - -"_I've got it!_" - -Questions and inquiries were hurled at her thick and fast, but not one -of them would she answer till all were seated about Margaret's chair -in the usual half-circle by the open fire. Then she began quietly, but -with much suppressed excitement in her voice: - -"Yes, girls, I've got it—at last! I'm going to tell you all about -it, and you're going to have the surprise of your lives! It took me a -long while before I struck just the right clue. I've spent about every -afternoon reading at the library near us. I even went up to the big one -at Forty-second Street yesterday. And every evening at home has found -me still digging at it. I've neglected my school work completely, and -have failed in everything this week; but I don't care! - -"Margaret's a trump! She put us all on the right track in the first -place by sensibly suggesting the Revolution. That was fine! But, of -course, the subject was a big one and concerned the whole thirteen -original colonies. In thinking it over, I decided that since Alison -came from Bermuda, the 'city' she keeps speaking of would most likely -be the _nearest_ one to Bermuda. On looking it up, I found the nearest -was Charleston, South Carolina. So I started in and hunted up every bit -of Revolutionary history I could find about Charleston, but never a -thing did I strike that helped a bit. - -"Then I gave that up and tried another city. As there didn't seem to be -any very likely places south of Charleston, I turned north and tried -Richmond, Baltimore and Philadelphia. Not a single thing in any one of -them that threw a ray of light on our troubles! Finally, I began on New -York—and hit it right away!" Her listeners gave a little jump. "Yes, -right here in old New York. And come to think of it, that _was_ the -most likely place, after all, and I might have saved myself all that -other bother, if only I'd used a little common sense!" - -"But how did you know right away that it was New York?" demanded -Margaret. - -"Why, the simplest thing in the world! Almost the first thing I came -across, in reading up about New York during the Revolution, was about a -place called—_Richmond Hill_!" - -"What? Where?" they all cried in one breath. - -"Yes, Richmond Hill! It was the name of a big mansion and estate -outside of the city, and was a very famous place in its time." - -"But how did you know it had anything to do with Alison?" they demanded -incredulously. - -"Well, just about twenty things pointed to it without a doubt. I'll -tell you all about it. In the first place, I read that this mansion was -built in 1760 by the paymaster-general of the British army, and his -name was—_Abraham Mortier_!" - -She stopped significantly, but no one seemed to catch her meaning till -Margaret suddenly cried: - -"Madame M.!" - -"Precisely!" said Corinne. "I wondered if you'd catch it. 'Madame M.' -must have been Madame Mortier, his wife, of course!" - -"But Alison didn't say anything about _Abraham_ Mortier," objected Bess. - -"That's just it,—she didn't, because Madame Mortier was then a widow. -Her husband died quite suddenly, just at the outbreak of the war. So -_that's_ accounted for. And don't you remember that Alison said Madame -M. allowed the steward to transact all the business of the household. -She wouldn't be doing that if her husband were alive! Well, except for -that, I couldn't find out another thing about the Mortiers. History -doesn't mention them again. But it tells a lot about other things we're -interested in. To begin with, after the siege of Boston, Washington -came to New York, and was there several months. Now then, while he was -in the city, he made his headquarters at—Richmond Hill! What does that -suggest to you?" - -Again they all looked blank for a moment, and once more Margaret was -first to catch the idea. - -"I've got it! Washington is the 'he' that Alison says so much about but -never names!" - -"Right!" cried Corinne. - -"How do you know?" clamored the less astute twins. - -"This way," explained Corinne, "Everything that Alison says about -'him' tallies with the descriptions of Washington—'grave, courteous, -stately, kindly, thoughtful.' There isn't a shadow of doubt! She speaks -of his servants and men and guards. Only a commander-in-chief would be -likely to have all that retinue." - -Suddenly Jess, who had been deep in thought, interrupted: "But, see -here! If it was Washington, why did Madame M. act so hateful about him? -Alison said if she hadn't been sick, she'd have gladly slammed the door -in his face. I don't understand it!" - -"Oh, that's _easy_! Madame Mortier was, without doubt, a _Tory_! -You know, New York was full of Tories at the time, and they hated -Washington and all the rebels like—like poison!" - -"But I still don't understand," insisted Jess, "how, if Madame Mortier -was a Tory and hated Washington so, he should come to be using her -house for his headquarters. I don't wonder she was furious!" - -"I thought of that too," said Corinne, "and it seemed strange to me; -but, from what I've read, I think it was this way: he had to have his -headquarters somewhere while he was in New York, and just at first he -had them way down in the lower part of the city, in the Kennedy house. -But later he wanted to get outside of the city for some reason; perhaps -it was on account of one of those plagues of smallpox or yellow fever -that were always breaking out there. Then, of course, there were so -few houses outside that he had to take anything he could find that was -suitable. So he chose Richmond Hill, and Lady Washington followed him -there later." - -"How do you know?" again demanded the ever-skeptical listeners. - -"Well, didn't Alison say, just toward the last, that 'his lady' had -come?" - -"True enough!" assented Jess. "And that makes me think of something -else. Was that the 'Lady Blank' she spoke of first, do you think?" - -"Without doubt, for she even says, 'I do not think she remembers me.' -But where or how she met her before, I haven't had time to work out. -Anyhow, it explains why Madame Mortier began to be suspicious of -Alison. Of course she would be if she was such a staunch Tory and found -Alison talking to the wife of her worst enemy! - -"But here's something very important, and it's the _real_ proof of the -whole thing. The rest was just rather easy guesswork. Do you know, -while Washington was at Richmond Hill, that summer of 1776, the Tories -in the city got up a big plot to kill him, blow up his fortifications, -massacre all his soldiers, and spoil everything for the Americans? -_And_—it very nearly was accomplished, only some one discovered it -and gave the whole thing away. _That's_ the plot, evidently, which was -brewing when Alison felt that something strange and mysterious was -going on. And here's my positive proof: one of the chief conspirators -in the plot was a man who kept a tavern near the edge of the woods -close to Washington's headquarters, and his name was—_Corbie_!" - -"Didn't we _say_ that name would be of great help?" cried Margaret, -excitedly. "Why, all this seems like a fairy story coming true! Is -there anything else, Corinne?" - -"Yes, there's one other thing. But before I tell you, I'm curious to -know why you haven't asked one question." - -"What?" - -"Why, the exact location of Richmond Hill. You haven't exhibited the -least curiosity about that!" - -"But you said it was outside of the city somewhere," put in Bess, "and -I suppose it was up around Fordham or West Farms, or even White Plains. -It must have been pretty far out." - -Corinne laughed. "Do you realize that the 'city' only extended to -about City Hall Park in those days? And all beyond that was out in the -country! No, Richmond Hill was _right here in Greenwich Village_!" - -They all stared at her in such frank amazement that she broke into a -giggle. - -"Perhaps you think that's rather astonishing, but I've something to -say that's even more so. I told you I'd give you the surprise of your -lives, and here it is: the exact spot where the Richmond Hill mansion -stood was—_just about where this house stands now_!" - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -BAFFLED! - - -If Corinne thought to create a sensation by her last disclosure, she -was gratified beyond her wildest expectations. It was not, however, -what they all _said_ (for they were rendered literally speechless by -surprise), but the way they _looked_ that caused her to go almost -into hysterics of laughter. If she had informed them that there was a -lighted bomb about to go off in the cellar, they could not have assumed -more open-mouthed, startled expressions! - -"Oh, don't look so stunned!" she panted, at length, weak with laughter. -"It won't hurt you!" - -"But—b-but—" stammered Margaret, and at last brought out the eternal -question, "how—how do you know?" - -"The way I know is this, and in order to explain it, I might as -well tell you the whole history of the place. It won't take long, -and it will make you understand better. We know how Richmond Hill -began, so I won't go over that. After the battle of Long Island and -Washington's retreat from New York, we don't hear a thing about it -till the end of the war. About that time it was the headquarters of -the British general, Sir Guy Carleton. After the war, when Washington -became President and New York the capital, Richmond Hill was taken by -Vice-President John Adams as his residence till the capital was removed -to Washington. - -"Then Aaron Burr took it, lived there a number of years, improved the -place a lot, and made the grounds very beautiful. I must tell you right -now that the place was a _hill_ at that time, about a hundred feet -high, and had a fine view over the Hudson. The river was nearer too, -just a few feet beyond Greenwich Street. That hardly seems possible, -for it's blocks farther off now. But in later years they filled it in -and made a lot more space to build on, and that has moved the river -banks farther away. Well, Burr lived here with his wife and a lovely -little daughter, Theodosia, till after he killed Hamilton in the duel. -Then he had to give the place up, and it was sold. - -"After that, a number of different people lived there till 1817. Then -the city began to reach up this way, and they decided to put regular -streets through here and make city blocks. Of course they couldn't -leave a high hill like that standing, so they leveled it and lowered -the house gradually to the street, and it stood somewhere right about -here. I can't make out the _very_ spot, for some books say it was on -the north side of Charlton Street, and others, on the south side. And -one even said it faced on Varick Street. But anyway, right near this -spot it stood; and as no one seemed to want such a big place for a -residence any more, it became a sort of hotel or tavern. - -"Then, some one else bought it and turned it into a theater, and for -several years it was called the Richmond Hill Theater. But it wasn't -very successful, so after a while it was sold again, and this time -became a menagerie and circus. Later it was turned into a tavern -again. But at last, in 1849, it was so old and rickety that they tore -it down and put up these nice little houses over the place where it -stood. That's all there is about it. Now are you convinced that I -wasn't crazy?" - -"It seems too wonderful to be true!" sighed Margaret. "To think we're -living right on the spot where all these strange things happened to -Alison! I can scarcely believe I'm not asleep and dreaming all this. -But, oh, there are so many questions I want to ask! For instance, I -can't yet understand how it was that if Madame Mortier was a Tory, -Washington could have his headquarters at her house. Couldn't she have -forbidden it?" - -"Why, it seems to be this way," answered Corinne. "In war time then, -as well as now, the army that was occupying a city could do about as -it pleased—used all the houses and food and so forth that it felt -inclined to, whether the things belonged to the enemy or not. Sometimes -they would pay the people for them, and sometimes they didn't—just -_took_ them. I suppose Washington had to have headquarters out of town -for some reason, and the only available place was Richmond Hill. He was -probably sorry enough to cause Madame Mortier any inconvenience, and -no doubt he offered her all reasonable compensation. For I read in one -book that Washington made it a rule that this should be done whenever -it was necessary to use any one's house or goods. If she didn't like -it, he couldn't help that. Matters were too serious for him to quibble -about such things. - -"That's my only explanation of your question, Margaret. But what -puzzles me even more is how did Alison come to be there at all? Who was -she? Why did she leave Bermuda, and what did she do before she left it -that caused her to be under suspicion?" - -As no one could throw any light on these mysteries, they all remained -silent a moment. Suddenly Jess, who had been turning the pages of the -blank-book in which Margaret had copied the journal, broke out with -this demand: - -"What _I'd_ like to know is the explanation of this: 'A strange thing -happened last night. At midnight I awoke. I heard confused sounds on -the road without—carts creaking by, men shouting, women crying, and -babies screaming.' Now what do you suppose it was all about?" - -"I think I can explain that," answered Corinne, who seemed literally -saturated with historical information since her recent researches. "In -February of 1776, while Washington was still besieging the British at -Boston, he sent General Lee down to New York to begin fortifying it. -Lee and his forces arrived in the city on the very day that Sir Henry -Clinton, the British commander, sailed into the harbor with a fleet of -vessels. Well, the city just about went into a panic, for every one -was certain there would be a big battle right off! And the histories -say just what Alison did—that they all began to pack up and move out -of the way as quick as they could, and all night the roads were filled -with carts, and coaches, and crying women and children. Every one was -scared to death! It proved to be a false alarm, for Clinton sailed -right off again, and Lee only tended to the business of fortifying. - -"But, you notice, Alison says that was when all the servants ran away -but two, and Madame Mortier got sick and went to bed. She must have -been sick a long time, for Washington didn't get there till April or -May, and she was still in bed then. Perhaps she was quite an old lady -and had had a severe shock. Maybe she was delicate anyway. And she -evidently must have heard that her house was to be made use of, because -she sent for Alison and warned her about it, and that she wasn't to -have any communication with the rebels. Madame Mortier must have been a -_Tartar_!" - -"But tell us more about the plot!" cried Margaret. "That's the main -thing, after all. How did they intend to kill Washington?" - -[Illustration: "Madame Mortier warned Allison that she wasn't to have -any communication with the rebels"] - -"Why, I read in one book that some one was to put poison in a dish -of peas, but somehow Washington was warned about it ahead of time -and didn't eat them, of course. But he learned all about the plot, -and he had a lot of the conspirators arrested. One of them was -courtmartialed and hanged, as a proof that such performances didn't -pay. I'm glad _somebody_ was punished for trying to do such an -abominable thing, anyway!" - -"Well, one thing I'm convinced of!" declared Bess. "That wicked old -steward had a lot to do with the scheme. Don't you think so?" - -"He certainly must have," agreed Corinne. "But what do you suppose he -was doing down there in the cellar when Alison saw him that night, and -why did he hide things in that place in the beam? And what part did -Alison take in the plot, anyway? Isn't it simply distracting that her -journal is torn off right there! And where _can_ the rest of it be, and -why was it torn at all? And why was this part saved so carefully? And -what became of the sapphire signet? Seems to me as though I'd go crazy -with all these unanswered questions pounding away in my brain!" - -Nobody having any solutions to offer, again they all sat quietly for a -while, till Margaret's eye happened to light on the pile of books that -Corinne had laid on the floor. - -"What are those, Corinne?" - -"Oh, they are some books on New York City history that I got out of the -library to read up. Each one has something about Richmond Hill in it. -And this one even has a picture of the house. See! here it is." - -They all crowded around her to look. "What a fine-looking place!" was -the general comment. And Bess added: - -"Does it seem possible that this shabby old neighborhood ever looked -like that delightful country-place!" - -"It was the most beautiful residence anywhere around New York for -a long while," said Corinne. "The grounds were fine too, and the -big gateway to the estate was right where the corner of Spring and -Macdougal streets is now. I thought you might like to read these books, -Margaret, so I brought them for you. But oh, girls!" she ended; "right -here and now I take the solemn determination that I will clear up this -mystery if it takes me the rest of my life! I'll never be content till -I know the explanation of it all. And, Margaret, I want you, if you -will, to make a copy of the journal for me—not the cipher, but the -plain English—so that I can refer to it whenever I want. Will you?" - -"Indeed I will!" agreed Margaret. "We'll all help you in every way -we can. And here's something else I've decided on. I'm going to -change your office in this Antiquarian Club, Corinne, from just plain -secretary to Chief Investigator!" - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -INTRODUCING ALEXANDER - - -The Antiquarian Club continued to meet two or three times a week, -but for some time the meetings were not enlivened with any further -discoveries. Corinne grew quieter and more uncommunicative, Margaret -restless and discontented. And as for the twins, now that the -excitement had subsided and nothing further on that order appeared -to be forthcoming, they became frankly bored with the proceedings of -their society and were claimed once more by their basket-ball and -tennis-playing companions. - -Several afternoons Corinne went alone to the Charlton Street house and -sat long with Margaret, going over and over the old account-book story. -For neither of them did interest in the matter ever wane. And even -though they appeared to have reached an insurmountable barrier, it -did not utterly discourage them. The mystery was always there, and the -unsolved riddle proved a constant lure. - -Then one day Corinne came in, accompanied by the twins, and all seemed -in rather high spirits. - -"What's the news?" demanded Margaret at once. "Have you discovered -something, Corinne?" - -"Yes, I have. And while it may not be of any _great_ help, at least -it's another link in the chain." - -The twins, once more condescending to interest themselves in the -affair, exclaimed: "Do tell us about it! We cut a basket-ball match to -come home this afternoon!" - -"Well, as I said, it isn't much, but it's something. Yesterday I was -up at the Forty-second Street Library, browsing around among the old -reference-books on New York City history, when I suddenly came across -this. You remember, several times Alison spoke about the housekeeper, -'Mistress Phœbe'? Well, I've found out who _she_ is!" - -"You have!" they chorused. - -"Yes, and I guess it's positive, for two books mention it. She was -Phœbe Fraunces, the daughter of Sam Fraunces who kept the famous -'Fraunces' Tavern.' The building, by the way, is still in existence -down on Pearl and Broad Streets. It has been restored to look just the -way it used to, and is the headquarters of the Sons of the Revolution. -Sam Fraunces was a fine man and a great admirer of Washington—" - -"Yes, Alison said so!" interposed Margaret, half under breath. - -"—and he was afterward the household steward for Washington when he -lived in New York as President. One book says Phœbe played quite a part -in the plot—preventing it, that is! That's all I found out, but it's -interesting." - -"It certainly is!" assented Bess, after a moment's thought, "and it's -just one more proof that we're on the right track. But still I don't -see that it helps very much in finding out what became of Alison, or -anything about her!" - -"No, it doesn't!" agreed Corinne ruefully. "And that's just where -it's so disappointing. But there's this about it. In a puzzle like -this, every little bit helps along. Sometimes, what really doesn't -seem to amount to anything at all, leads at last to the most important -discovery. For instance, that song—'The Lass of Richmond Hill.' _That_ -didn't impress us so much when we came across it, yet it really led to -all the discoveries we've made. I propose that this afternoon we go -over the whole thing again, just as carefully as we can, and see if -there isn't some little clue that we _may_ have constantly overlooked. -Of course, I've done that by myself dozens of times, and so has -Margaret. But four heads are better than one! Who knows but _this_ time -we may light on the very thing?" - -She was so hopeful and enthusiastic about it that they all settled down -to the work, reading over the old diary very slowly and discussing -every point that seemed to offer the least suggestion of a clue. They -had reached the entry which announced Washington's arrival, and were -hotly debating the question whether or not Madame Mortier could be -concerned in the plot against him, when suddenly they were electrified -by hearing the loud crow of a rooster, coming apparently from the -darkness at the far end of the room. (They had been talking and reading -by the light of the open fire only.) Every one jumped, and Margaret -caught her hand to her heart. But Bess instantly recovered herself, -darted across the room, dived behind the curtains, and returned -dragging into the circle a grinning, giggling small boy. - -"It's Alexander, of course!" was her brief remark. Her captive was -certainly an extraordinary-looking youngster! Wiry, and undersized -for his age (he was thirteen), he possessed a snub-nose, a shock of -brilliant red hair, and a quantity of freckles that literally "snowed -under" his grinning countenance. His appearance was rendered all the -more remarkable by the fact that he had cut a series of holes in an -old, round, soft hat, and his brilliant hair stuck straight up through -these in astonishing red bunches. Not one whit did he seem to resent -the publicity into which his recent exploit had brought him! Rather did -he appear to glory in the situation. - -"Aren't you ashamed to be eavesdropping behind the curtains?" demanded -Bess, shaking him by his collar, of which she still retained her hold. - -Alexander straightened himself and made this cryptic reply: - -"I don't get yer! But if yer mean piking off this chinning -contest,—no, I ain't!" - -At the foregoing remarkable explosion of slang, Corinne suddenly went -off into a peal of laughter. - -"Oh, Alexander, you're _rich_!" she exclaimed. "I'm glad to make your -acquaintance. Teach me some of that, will you!" - -The boy turned to her with an appreciative and understanding twinkle in -his eye: "Sure thing! I'll put you wise, any old time!" - -But Jess suddenly broke into this exchange of amenities. "Do you girls -realize what has happened? Alexander Corwin has been listening to all -the proceedings of our secret society, and now he knows just as much as -we do! Oh, I could _scalp_ you!" she ended, making a sudden dart at her -cousin, who, though still in the grasp of Bess, ducked and evaded her. -There had been unceasing warfare between Alexander and the twins ever -since he came to reside with them. He teased them unmercifully, and -they sought frantically, and always in vain, to retaliate. There seemed -nothing they could devise that affected him in the slightest. This, the -most recent outrage, constituted to them, therefore, the last straw! -Suddenly Margaret intervened: - -"Wait a minute! Maybe Alec wasn't _really_ trying to overhear what we -said. Perhaps he only meant to give us a scare. How about it, Alec?" - -"You got the right dope!" affirmed the young rascal. "D'ye think I'd -waste my valuable time listening to the chatter of a lot of Sadies? Nix -on that! I just crept in there to give the glad whoop and raise you out -of your chairs!" - -Alexander never teased Margaret. Her pathetic confinement to her -invalid-chair appealed to his rowdy little soul, and between them there -had always been an unspoken compact of peace. - -"But how much _did_ you hear?" reiterated Jess. - -"Well, I couldn't help getting wise to _some_!" admitted Alexander -wickedly, conscious that this same admission was gall and wormwood to -the souls of the twins. "Heard a lot of stuff about finding a book -in our attic, and George Washington, and a swell guy called Madame -something-or-other and some kind of a dinky sapphire thing, and a kid -called Alison. Say! she must have been _some_ girl! But, gosh!—you -needn't think I _wanted_ to hear it! I was only waiting for the chance -to give you the merry ha-ha!" - -Dismay fell once more on the circle. Bess had now released him, and he -stood upright, jammed his hands in his pockets, and grinned on them -with a curious mixture of triumph, defiance, and pure impishness. It -was Corinne who became suddenly inspired with a brilliant idea. - -"Look here, girls! I vote that we make Alexander a member of the club! -What do you say?" - -"Gee! I don't _want_ to be!" exclaimed the boy in a panic, making a -sudden dive to escape. - -"Oh, yes you would, if you knew all about it! Wouldn't he, Margaret? -It's just the kind of thing a boy would go crazy about. There's so much -_adventure_ in it!" - -At the word "adventure," Alexander pricked up his ears. - -"What's a lot of _girls_ got to do with adventures?" he inquired -skeptically. - -"Just wait till you hear!" declared Corinne, and Margaret seconded her -with: - -"Oh, dear, Alec, you'll just go wild over this! And it ought to have a -boy in it, too! Oughtn't it, girls?" But the twins remained obdurate. -To allow their declared enemy to share their most cherished secret -seemed to them the height of madness. But while Margaret was reasoning -with Alexander, Corinne whispered to them: - -"You'd better do it, I tell you! He knows too much already, and you -don't know but what he might give the whole thing away to Sarah -sometime!" And this final argument brought them speedily round to her -point of view. - -"All right!" they agreed. "Alexander, you can become a member of our -secret society if you want to, and Corinne will tell you all about it." - -And Alexander, his curiosity now thoroughly aroused, offered no further -objection to the honor thus thrust upon him. - -Corinne undertook to explain the whole matter to him, showed him -their discovery, explained how they had deciphered the code, and then -proceeded to read him the translation. His pat, slangy comments on it -often moved her to laughter, and when it came to the mention of the -song, he immediately wanted to hear it, for—it was Alexander's chief -merit—he loved music with the appreciation of a born musician. It -happened that among the books Corinne had brought Margaret was the -collection of old songs, containing the one in question. She hunted -this up now, and, going to the piano, played it over for him, while he -stood at her side whistling the air. - -"Say, I like that!" he commented when she had finished. "That's a great -old tune! The words are a back-number of course, but they go with it -fine!" He hummed it over again. - -"Isn't it queer!" exclaimed Corinne. "Alexander is the only one who has -exhibited the least interest in learning or even _hearing_ that song!" - -After this intermission, the story proceeded, the boy growing more and -more absorbed with every word. But when it came to the disclosure that -Richmond Hill had stood just about where they were now sitting, he -leaped to his feet with a whoop. - -"Say! Wouldn't that jolt you! Gee! I didn't have any hunch that you -girls had a thing like _this_ up your sleeve!" Then, with snapping -eyes, he settled down to hear the remainder of the tale. When Corinne -had finished, he sat cross-legged before the fire for several minutes, -chewing meditatively the cap he had riddled with air-holes. - -So long was he silent, that Margaret exclaimed, finally: "Well?" Then -he got up, stretched his legs, and inquired: "When you going to have -the next meeting of this joint?" - -"The day after to-morrow," answered Margaret, who was disappointed that -after all he did not seem to have any interested comments to make. "Why?" - -"Because," he answered in his remarkable jargon of slang, "you can ring -me in on the fest, and—I _may_ have a new piece of dope!" - -When the meaning of this remark had dawned on them, they all demanded -eagerly: "What? What? Can't you tell us, Alec?" - -"Nothing doing—till the day after to-morrow!" he called back as he -made a hasty exit down the hall. - -And after his departure they all agreed that they had possibly done -a rather good day's work in admitting the rowdy Alexander to the -Antiquarian Club! - - - - -CHAPTER X - -ALEXANDER TAKES HOLD - - -Two afternoons later all the girls were gathered in the parlor promptly -at three, but Alexander had not yet put in an appearance. He attended -the public school, which did not dismiss as early as high school, and -he would probably be at least three quarters of an hour late, as he -was usually kept in for misbehavior. During his absence, the girls -discussed him eagerly. - -"Do you know," vouchsafed Corinne, "I think he is the _cleverest_ -little rascal, and so comical that I want to laugh whenever I look at -him! How is it I've never seen him before?" - -"Why, the explanation is," answered Bess, "that he never stays in the -house afternoons if he can possibly help it. He's always out running -the streets or playing baseball in the vacant lots. But the other -day it was cold and damp, and Sarah discovered that he had a bad sore -throat and insisted that he stay indoors. He's rather afraid of Sarah, -though he does tease her frightfully. That's why he was around trying -hard to annoy us—he hadn't anything else to do!" - -"Well, he's a little trump, anyway!" insisted Corinne. "And did you -ever hear such a glorious collection of slang!" - -"Isn't it _awful_!" sighed Margaret. "Mother is terribly worried about -him and the way he talks. And yet she can't help laughing, herself, -sometimes, at the funny things he says. Really, he often seems to be -speaking in some foreign language that I can't understand a word of!" - -"What does he mean by 'dope,' anyway?" mused Corinne. "I can't imagine, -unless it's 'news' or 'information.' You just have to _construe_ his -remarks, as you do the Latin! I think we'll have to get a dictionary of -slang if he keeps on like this!" - -"But, oh, what _do_ you suppose he is finding out!" exclaimed -Margaret. "What can he possibly know that can have anything to do with -our secret?" - -"You never can tell!" said Bess. "He goes snooping around this -neighborhood in all sorts of places, and talks with all sorts of -people. Perhaps he _has_ stumbled on something, though I have my -doubts. But here he comes now!" - -Alexander entered the house, slamming the basement door and singing at -the top of his high sweet voice: - - "On Richmond Hill there lived a lass, - More bright than May-day morn!" - -After a preliminary scuffle and dispute with Sarah in the kitchen, -probably over the question of cake, he came galloping upstairs, and -burst in upon them with a military salute and: - -"Hullo, pals! Do I have to give the high sign and the grand salaam?" - -"Never mind that!" laughed Corinne. "Hurry up and tell us about this -wonderful thing you know. We're crazy to hear!" - -Alexander was visibly flattered, and drew a chair to the group by the -fire, with an air of great importance. - -"Well, it's this way," he began. "It hit me all of a sudden the other -day, that I had the dope on something that might be right in your line -o' goods. But I wasn't sure, and I wanted to nail it. Now I _have_ -nailed it—and it's O.K.!" - -"Tell us, quick! Quick!" cried Margaret. - -"Hey! put on the brakes a minute, kid!" he commented. "If you go so fast, -you'll bust your speedometer! Do you know where McCorkle's stable is?" - -All but Corinne nodded. For her enlightenment, he explained: "It's -around on Varick Street between Charlton and Van Dam, on this side of -the way." - -"It's a funny old place, isn't it!" interrupted Margaret. "Sarah -sometimes wheels me past it. The building looks awfully ramshackly. But -what about it? Surely it can't have anything to do with _our_ affair!" - -"Just you douse your sparker and save gasoline!" chuckled Alexander. -"Shows how much _you_ know about things! You _needed_ a man on this -job! As I was going to say, I know Tim Garrity pretty well—he has -charge of the horses. We're pretty good pals, and he gives me a whole -lot of interesting dope, off and on. Last summer he told me something -that stuck in my crop, but I didn't think of it again till the other -day. Then I thought I'd go and nail it for certain, before I told you -kids, and I got him to reel it off again yesterday. It's the dope, all -right! I saw it myself!" - -"For gracious sake, Alexander, don't keep us in suspense another -minute!" implored Corinne. "Tell us quick!" - -"All right! Now I'm going to shoot! You remember telling me about the -theater that old house was turned into? Well, Tim once told me that the -stable was built right over where an old theater had stood,—on the -very foundations,—and in the back, where the stalls are, you could see -a part of the old stage, the paintings on the beams, and frescoes—he -called 'em! He was quite proud of it!" - -The listening four were now sitting up straight and tense. He went on: - -"I didn't pay much 'tention to it at the time. Didn't interest me! -Rather be talking about baseball! But the other day, after all you told -me, I fell for it again. Yesterday I went round and made him tell me -all over again and show it to me, too. I guess we've hit the trail, -kids! It was there, all right! Funny old gilt do-dabs, and you could -just make out the shape of the stage, curved, the way they have 'em in -the theaters now." - -He stopped, and every one drew a long breath. - -"Alexander, you are certainly a trump!" sighed Corinne. "This is the -best discovery yet. But I'm surprised that the site of the house should -be on Varick Street. Most books said it faced on Charlton." - -And Bess added her say: - -"This is certainly awfully interesting, but I'm blest if I can see how -it's going to be of the slightest _help_!" - -"Say, you're what us baseball fans call a bonehead," and Alexander -chuckled derisively. "I'll bet Corinne's fallen for it already, without -being told!" - -"I confess, I don't see _just_ how it helps," admitted Corinne, -"unless—unless—there's some part of the old, original house left." - -"That's the line o' talk!" shouted the boy, triumphantly. "I knew you'd -hit the bull's-eye if any one did! There sure _is_ something of the old -house left, and that is—the _beams_ that supported the cellar ceiling! -They make the foundation of the stage!" - -This time Alexander certainly scored a sensation. - -"The beams—_the beams_!" cried Margaret. - -"Then there must be the one that had the secret hiding-place in it!" - -"Now you're talking!" remarked Alexander. - -"But did you _see_ it? Can you get _at_ it?" demanded Corinne. - -"There's where Central cuts you off! I examined the thing carefully, -and got Tim to tell me all he knew. But we found that the stable only -went part of the way through the old cellar of the house; the two ends -are cut off and underground—or at least they're behind the side walls -of the stable. Can you beat it?" - -"Then we can't get at it after all!" wailed Margaret, disappointed all -the more keenly for the high hope that had been raised. - -"Nope! We just can't get at it—as things stand now!" - -"Isn't there _any_ way you can think of, Alexander?" demanded Corinne. -"Think what we might find in that secret nook—gold, jewels, papers of -great value,—oh! this is exasperating! Can't you think of _some_ way?" - -Alexander, however, only appeared to lapse into deep reverie. - -"I haven't showed you my whole line o' goods yet!" he confessed, after -submitting them to an interval of soul-satisfying suspense. - -"You haven't—what?" echoed Corinne uncertainly. - -"Told you—all—I know!" he translated obligingly. - -"Well, for goodness' sake, go on! How you do tease!" - -"Here it is: in a few weeks they're goin' to begin to widen Varick -Street and put a subway through." - -They only gazed at him, after this statement, in uncomprehending -bewilderment. - -"You don't get me yet?" he went on. "Well, that means they're going to -do a good deal of altering." - -Still they appeared unenlightened. - -"Gee! but you four are _thick_!" he cried at last. "The only way they -can widen it is by tearing down all the houses on one side. And that's -just what they're going to do on _this_ side! McCorkle's stable has got -to go. Now are you on?" - -"Then—then—" stuttered Corinne. - -"_Then_ we can get at the secret beam!" announced Alexander in triumph. - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -ALEXANDER SPRINGS A SURPRISE - - -It was with impatience indescribable that the members of the -Antiquarian Club awaited the demolition of McCorkle's stable. Now that -Alexander had enlightened them as to the approaching changes in Varick -Street, the girls watched with absorbing interest the slow, gradual -approach of the house-wrecking throng which had sometime before invaded -the upper portion of the street. For weeks they had been passing -unheeded the frenzied scene of tearing down, digging up, and general -destruction that had suddenly changed peaceful Varick Street into an -unsightly heap of ruin and scaffolding. It had meant nothing to them, -so absorbed were they in their own affairs. And now they found, quite -to their amazement, that it was going to have a very direct bearing on -these same affairs! - -House by house, block by block, it drew nearer. Every day that was -pleasant enough for Margaret to be out she commanded Sarah to wheel her -past the work of demolition, much to Sarah's disgust, who infinitely -preferred the quiet, sunny, unobstructed walks of peaceful Charlton -Street. Then, before turning the corner homeward, Margaret would beg -to be wheeled past McCorkle's stable, at which she would gaze hard and -rapturously as long as it was in sight. This also deeply annoyed and -bewildered Sarah. - -"Bedad!" she would exclaim impatiently, "it does beat me what ye see -in that dur-rty owld rookery! 'Tis fit only fur th' scrap-heap, and -ye look at it as if it was hung wid diamonds! What's got into ye -these days, Margie macushla! 'Tis that quare Corinne gur-rl that has -bewitched ye!" - -Margaret could easily see that Sarah was very, very jealous of her new -friend, so she would say nothing, but only smile her slow, mysterious -little smile. "That queer Corinne girl" had indeed bewitched her, and -had brought into her pain-ridden, colorless existence something worth -living for! But this, of course, she could not admit to Sarah. - -At last, one cold, blustery afternoon, the twins burst in with the -exciting information that the house-wrecking had actually commenced on -their own block, up at the King Street corner. After that the interest -became concentrated and intense. And by the time the little old -dormer-windowed shanty on their own corner was leveled to the ground, -they had reached the tiptoe of excitement. - -Fully two weeks before this McCorkle's stable had been vacated and left -ready for its destruction. And since then Alexander had spent much time -crawling around its foundations and examining it in every nook and -cranny. - -When the little building next to it came down, and the day before the -stable was to have its turn, the Antiquarian Club held an important -meeting, called at the request of Alexander. - -"This is going to be ticklish business!" he announced; "getting at -that beam, I mean. And I ain't so sure it's going to pan out all right, -either. Good thing to-morrow's Saturday, so I can be on the job all -day. But I've been laying my pipes pretty slick! I've got on the soft -side of a lot of those workmen, and the night-watchman loves me as if -I was his little nephew Willie! It's the night-watchman I'm depending -on most. He's agreed to let me in there to grub around any night I -want—so long as I don't do any damage. But, see here, you kids! Don't -be setting your hopes on me getting at anything to-morrow, 'cause -more'n likely they won't touch the foundation before next week!" - -The next day saw the demolition of McCorkle's stable. It being -Saturday, the Antiquarian Club was able to be present in full force (on -the opposite side of the street) to see it go. Margaret's chair was -wheeled by the twins and Corinne in turn. But Alexander, across the -street in the danger-zone, gyrated, imp-like, up and down the sidewalk -and was twenty times ousted from imminent peril by the half-indignant, -half-laughing workmen. - -Piece by piece the boards and bricks fell, story by story the old -building came down, till at last it was level with the very sidewalk, -and carts began to remove the debris. Then was visible the strange -thing that Alexander had long before told them about. - -"See! see!" he cried, running across to them and pointing back -excitedly. "There it is! Didn't I tell you so?" And looking toward the -back, they could plainly discern the queer, curved outline of the old -stage, with a few cracked and tarnished bits of gilt cornice still -clinging to it. - -"But when are they going to reach the beams underneath?" demanded -Margaret, in an excited whisper. - -"Not before Monday! At least, they can't get to uncovering the ones -_we_ want before then. The rest are almost bare now." - -"Oh! _how_ can we wait till Monday!" wailed Margaret. - -"I gave you the tip we might have to!" admonished Alexander. "You're -entirely too light and speedy! You ought to go into the house-wrecking -business yourself—then you'd see!" - -The interval between Saturday and Monday seemed simply interminable to -every one of the five. On Sunday, Alexander spent much time haunting -the ruins, Corinne was obliged to be in her own home, Mrs. Bronson -was visiting a sick friend, and Margaret and the twins, left alone, -whispered together most of the day about the impending event. - -"What _do_ you suppose we'll find in that beam?" Margaret would inquire -for the hundredth time. - -"Probably nothing!" Bess would reply, for she was always inclined to -look on the dark side of things. - -"Oh, that's not _possible_!" Margaret would retort. "_I_ think it may -be some important papers. I don't expect there'll be gold, or jewels, -or anything of that kind. But just suppose it was the _sapphire -signet_!" - -"Do you know, dear," said Jess, once, "I'd be pretty well satisfied if -we even found just the _hole_! That would show, at least, that Alison's -account was correct, and we had worked things out right, so far." - -"Yes, but it wouldn't help us out any with solving the mystery," -objected Margaret. "When do you suppose it will be get-at-able, anyway?" - -"Alexander says he's going to be there before school in the morning, -and again at noon, and in the afternoon too. He says he's almost -tempted to play hookey and be there all day! But I told him Sarah and -Mother would have a fit if he did! The club is to be all together here -in the afternoon, and he'll come right in and tell us the minute he -discovers anything." - -"Wouldn't it be simply awful," moaned Margaret, "if any one got in -ahead of us and looted the place in the beam!" - -"Alexander doesn't think that likely," declared Jess. "I asked him -about that, too, but he says it's probably so well concealed that -nobody would think of such a thing—unless the beam were to be chopped -up, and that won't happen for a good while yet." - -So they were all forced to possess their souls in patience till Monday -afternoon. Then, with fast-beating hearts, the girls gathered in the -Charlton Street parlor. Alexander, of course, was not with them, and -they did not expect him for some time. But, to their utter amazement, -he strolled in about three-thirty, hands in his pockets, whistling "The -Lass of Richmond Hill" as unconcernedly as though this were not the day -of days for the Antiquarian Club! - -"Good gracious, Alexander, what's wrong?" demanded Corinne. - -"Wrong? Nothing at all! Everything O. K., A., number one!" he replied -airily. - -"But why aren't you over at the stable as you said you'd be?" - -"Oh, I didn't think it worth while!" he answered indifferently, ambling -over to gaze out of the window. - -[Illustration: "I poked around it, top, bottom, and sides"] - -"But, Alec!" cried Margaret. "Have you gone back on us like this? And -after all you said! And you seemed so interested, too! I just can't -believe it of you!" Her great, beautiful gray eyes filled with sudden -tears, and Alexander, turning from the window, observed it. - -"Aw! turn off the weeps!" he exclaimed gruffly, but contritely. "Can't -you all take a bit of kidding? It _ain't_ worth while for me to be over -there any more—because I've found the beam already—and explored it!" - -At this astonishing revelation they sprang upon him literally in a -body—all but Margaret. - -"Oh, Alec! You _didn't_! When? Tell us all about it? What did you find? -How did you do it?" The questions rained thick and fast. - -"Well, just unhand me, and sit down, and I'll tell you all about it! -Saturday night I was crawling round a bit after the work was all over, -and only the night-watchman there. I found that the two beams on this -north end were really pretty well uncovered, in spots, and what was -left over them could be easily scraped off. It was mostly dirt and -loose mortar. I didn't have time to do anything that night, but I gave -the watchman the tip that I'd be back the next night and poke around -a bit. He likes me, and he thinks I'm collecting wood to build an -Indian wigwam in that vacant lot on Hudson Street. And us fellows _are_ -building one, too, so it's no lie!" Alexander, to do him justice, was -scrupulously truthful. - -"So I beat it out, last night, after borrowing the twins' door-key, so -I wouldn't have to wake up that lallypaloozer, Sarah, when I came in. -Of course I took a chance of not striking the right beam,—it might -be the one at the south end, for all I knew. However, I doped out the -one I thought it was, shoveled off the bricks and mortar softly, so's -not to attract attention, and measured off ten feet from the _west_ -end with a tape-line. You know the kid, Alison, said the steward stood -about ten feet from the wall of the house, along the beam. - -"Then I opened my big-bladed pocket-knife and poked and poked and poked -around it, top, bottom, and sides. But never a sign of an opening did -I find. After I'd been at the job about an hour, I gave it up and -scooted for the _east_ end of the beam, and began the same thing all -over. Nothing doing for about half an hour! Then all at once, my blade -slipped into a crack! I gave a hard pull, and—jumping Jupiter!—there -I was! The thing came open like a door on a rusty hinge, and there was -a hole about a foot and a half long! - -"You bet I didn't do a thing but shove my hand in and feel all around -in the hole! I didn't dare even to light a match, for fear a cop might -see me. Just then, all of a sudden, the watchman called out softly that -the roundsman was coming and I'd better beat it while the going was -good! I just had time to duck off that beam, crawl along the darkest -side of the wall, and sneak out as the roundsman came along and stood -talking to the watchman, as he always does, for about fifteen minutes. -I got into the house all hunky,—and that's why it ain't any use for -me to be there this afternoon!" he ended abruptly. - -"But, Alec, what did you _find_? Did you find _anything_?" demanded the -four in one breath. - -Alexander nodded impressively. "Yep! I found something all right!" Then -he suddenly took an object from under his coat and laid it carefully in -Margaret's lap. - -"I found _this_!" - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -THE MYSTERY UNRAVELS FURTHER - - -It would be useless to attempt describing the mingled sensations -with which the Antiquarian Club (all but Alexander) bent to examine -the latest "find." The twins, however, drew back in a moment with a -disappointed air and the disgusted query: - -"Is _that_ all! What in the world is it?" - -It certainly was neither gold nor jewels, nor, apparently, important -papers of any sort, and their interest waned at once. It _was_ paper of -some kind—dirty, mildewed, stained with time, and nibbled freely by -mice. But it bore no resemblance to the state documents, laden perhaps -with impressive seals, that the twins had vaguely expected to behold, -if, indeed, the find took that shape at all. But Margaret and Corinne -had been turning it over carefully. All of a sudden they uttered a -simultaneous little cry: - -"Oh, girls! Don't you know what it is?" - -"No!" declared the twins. - -"Why—_the other half of the diary_!" - -Then indeed did the twins give way to belated exultation in which -Alexander joined, for of course he had already discovered this. - -"Yes, it certainly is!" reasserted Corinne, examining it more closely. -"The book was evidently torn in two, and this half concealed in the -beam,—but for what earthly reason I can't imagine! I wonder if Alison -put it there herself?" - -"D'ye see anything queer about the first page?" inquired Alexander, -mysteriously. They bent again to examine it. The first page was the -most worn and stained and torn and least decipherable of all, because -it had been unprotected. There were the same characters of the cipher, -only very dimly discernible. But written diagonally across it, -evidently with something black and dull, possibly a piece of charcoal -or charred wood, were a few words in English. They were so faint that -they might have been taken merely for the traces of dark stains or -smudges had not one examined them closely. - -"Shall I put you wise to what they say?" suggested Alexander. - -"Oh, do!" they all cried. - -"Well, here it is: 'I am now assured you are a spy. This proves it. I -can make naught of it, but will hide it securely. Later I will denounce -you.' Wouldn't that jar you, now!" - -"Who _do_ you suppose wrote it?" demanded Corinne. - -"Could it have been Alison?" suggested Margaret. "Maybe she meant it -about the steward." - -"That's _my_ guess!" echoed Alexander. - -"But why did she write it in English, and with this charcoal or -whatever it is? And why did she hide it in that beam? And why was the -diary torn in two?" - -"You can search me!" Alexander remarked, shrugging his shoulders. - -"Wouldn't it be a good idea to find out by translating the rest?" -quietly suggested Bess, the practical. "No doubt she'll say something -in it that will put us on the right track." - -"Good business!" chuckled Alexander. "You've got some _sense_ in that -bean of yours, kid!" - -"I don't understand you!" retorted Bess, coldly. She thoroughly -disapproved of his slang, and was never amused by it as the rest often -were. - -"I should worry!" he responded unconcernedly, and turned to Margaret. -"Couldn't you dope out a bit of it now, kiddie? You've got the goods to -do it with." - -"No," interrupted Corinne, looking at her watch; "it's getting late, -and I must go. Let's give Margaret a couple of days to work it out, and -then we'll have a grand old meeting and solve the whole riddle—I hope!" - -Much as they longed to know the whole story at once, it was obvious -that Corinne's suggestion was most sensible. But before they separated, -they unanimously voted "Aye!" to another matter—that the discovery of -the contents of the secret beam was the most satisfactory thing that -had happened so far! - -Two days later they gathered around Margaret, keen for the exciting -revelations that they felt sure were awaiting them. Margaret had -resumed her sphinxlike attitude of mystery and would reveal no clue to -what she had discovered. When they were settled and quiet, Alexander -remarked: - -"Go ahead, kid! Shoot! Get it off your mind!" And smiling indulgently -on him, Margaret began: - -"You remember where we left off in the other half of the journal—a -sentence just stopped in the middle. It was this:—'For Madame M. will -accept naught from him and—' Now, on this first page, she completes -it. And, by the way, I had the _worst_ time puzzling out that first -page! It was so stained and faded and torn. Sometimes I wasn't even -sure I was getting it right. But I guess now I have it correct. She -goes on to finish: - - "—yet I scarce could tell him so. He must have guessed my - predicament, for he only smiled and said it was of no moment. An she - would not care for it, I might keep it for myself. 'Twas rarely kind - in him. I long to tell him about myself, but I dare not—not yet. - -"Then comes a break. Now she says: - - "His lady did pass me to-day, walking in the garden; and since the - high shrubbery screened us, I curtesied deeply to her. I scarce - dare notice her when any of the household are by. She looked at - me long, then spoke me fair, asking had she not met me before she - came here. I answered, yes, the day her coach broke down on the - road last year, and I helped to hold the frightened horses while - 'twas mended. She did thank me anew, and asked me what it was I - was about to tell her then, when Madame M. had dragged me suddenly - away. I replied that I dared not repeat it there, but would seek - some chance to speak with her alone when we did have more time and - were not observed. Then I heard footsteps approaching, and I fled - quickly away." - -"Wonder what it could have been that she was trying so hard to tell -Lady Washington!" sighed Corinne. "This doesn't grow any _less_ -mysterious, apparently! Go on, Margaret!" - -"Another break, then she says: - - "I have at last learned what is this wicked plot—" - -"Good business!" ejaculated Alexander. - - "'Tis through Mistress Phœbe I found it out. She has a lover who - is one of _his_ life-guard, and this lover she has had cause to - suspect is not entirely loyal to _him_. Last night she did ply him - with overmuch good malt brew, and in his befogged state she did - get him to babble the secret. Oh, it is a vile scheme! They are - planning to deliver the city out of _his_ hands. But that is not - the worst. They seek first of all to murder _him_, and in some - underhand, cowardly fashion. The manner of it is not decided yet. - Phœbe tells me her lover will remember no word of what he said to - her last night in his cups. But she intends to watch him right - closely. When she has learned the manner of the plotted murder, - _he_ must be warned." - -"Isn't this exciting!" exclaimed Corinne. - -"Bully! Hot stuff!" agreed Alexander. - -Margaret continued: "Now, another entry. - - "I have confided my story to Phœbe. She is well to be trusted, I - feel. She has promised to help me in my need. I am becoming right - fond of Phœbe. Corbie was here last night to see the steward. They - are both in the plot, we feel sure. After Corbie left, the steward - descended to the cellar. I did not dare to follow—I could only - guess that he went to his secret hiding-place. - -"Now another space. Then: - - "Phœbe had news to-day. Last night she did again muddle her lover - with much strong drink. And she did get him to confess that the - plot is near completion; that if all goes well, 'twill be put - in action four days from now. He also did acknowledge that they - intended to put him out of the way by poisoning something he ate. - But he knew nothing more definite. Phœbe says she dares not thus - befuddle him again. It is too dangerous, as he has shown that he - suspects he is babbling and has asked her since many searching - questions, to which she pretends guileless ignorance. We must - watch him. What if we should not be able to foil him and his vile - conspirators! - - "Madame M.'s health does not improve. Nay, she has dropped so low - that 'tis feared she will not live. Her physician did bleed her - yesterday, but 'twas of no avail. She recognizes me, but she will - have naught to say to me. In fact she is too weak to utter a word. - I am right sorry for her and grieve that she cannot forgive me, - though I have done no real wrong. I have sometimes thought she - must know of the plot, the vile plot that is to be enacted in this - house. But Phœbe declares she is innocent of that. Deep as her - hatred may be, she would never wink at such a crime." - -"Well, that settles _one_ question, anyhow!" interrupted Corinne. "Do -you remember how we discussed that?" - -"Yep! that was the day I butted in!" commented Alexander, in whimsical -recollection. "Fire away, kid!" - -Margaret continued: - - "Phœbe and I do despair of discovering by what means they plan to - carry out the plot. She dares no longer question her lover when - he is under the influence of wine. Nor does she yet dare denounce - him, lest the other conspirators escape unharmed. It would be - premature to do so till we know the exact facts. I have told her of - the steward and his secret hiding-place in the wine-cellar. If we - can do naught else, we will rifle that some time when he is away. - Perchance there may be information in it. - -"Then, here's the next entry: - - "It is midnight, and on the morrow the plot will be consummated. I - write this in much fear. Perchance it will be the last I shall ever - have opportunity to write. If such be the case, and my relations in - Bermuda do ever find this trunk and the diary in its false bottom, - and should they be able to decipher it, I want them to know that I, - Alison Trenham,—" - -"_Trenham!_" shouted the listening group. "Hurrah! at _last_ we know her -full name! That's dandy!" Margaret gave them little heed and went on: - - "—do grievously repent my folly in ever leaving my peaceful home; - that I beg Grandfather to forgive me if he can, and wish Aunt and - Betty to know that I love them always. Also, that H. and his uncle - were little to blame for their part in what happened before we left - Bermuda, and that I do not regret giving my assistance, for it was - a noble cause, even though our government did not approve. - - "To-night, Phœbe and I did raid the steward's secret hiding-place. - We waited till he had gone out, about ten o'clock, and from his - actions we made sure that he would be away long, for he went - straight to Corbie's tavern. But even so, we took a terrible risk. - Once in the cellar, our work was not difficult. I pointed out the - location of the spot, and we opened the beam as I had seen him do. - But our amazement was great when we found naught in it. He must - have removed every belonging, and that right recently. We were just - about to turn away when Phœbe declared she would look once more, - and she felt all about in it carefully. Her search was rewarded, - for far back in a crevice was stuck a small folded note. - - "We read it by the light of the candle, not at first daring to take - it away. It was from the governor, and said that on the morrow a - dose of poison should be put into a dish of peas prepared for _him_ - at his noonday meal. The poison would have no effect under an hour. - In the meantime, word should go forth, and the fortifications would - be seized. Everything was in readiness. That was all. The note had - plainly been forgotten by the steward when he removed his other - papers. We dared to keep it, on a second thought, since he would - probably think he had lost it elsewhere, if he missed it at all. So - we took it away with us. - - "Our plans are all laid. Phœbe will herself be in the kitchen - to-morrow at noon, and no doubt either her lover or the steward - will place the poison in the dish. Then I am to pass through the - kitchen at a certain moment, and Phœbe will request me to carry in - the dish and lay it before _him_. As I do so, I can whisper _him_ - a warning not to eat of it, saying I will explain later. If Phœbe - herself did this, she would be suspected at once, for she never - goes into the dining-room to serve. But she will choose a moment - when no retainer of his happens to be in the kitchen, and send me - with it instead. God grant that the plans do not go wrong. _He_ - will suffer, and our own lives will be in great danger should we - fail or be discovered. - - "We have arranged that, when I go to him later to disclose what we - know, I shall also tell him my own story and throw myself on the - protection of him and his good lady. For I fear it will then be no - longer safe for me to remain here as I am now. That is all. God has - us in His hands. I await the morrow with untold trembling. - - "Should it be thought strange that in writing this journal I have - given few _names_ and so made the identities hard to guess, I - must explain that I have ever been in great fear of this being - discovered—nay, even deciphered. I bethought me that the fewer - names I used, the less incriminating this might be to myself and - all concerned. As I read it over now, I feel that it was but a poor - makeshift, at best. However that may be, I trust that it may some - day get back to my dear ones in Bermuda, should aught evil befall - me. _They_ will understand. - - "The hour grows late and I must retire, though I feel little able - to sleep. But one thing more I must disclose ere I bring this - journal to an end,—the hiding-place of the sapphire signet. Should - it befall that I never return to my home nor see my relatives - again, it would be only right that they be informed where the - jewel may be found, and that I meant no evil in taking it from - Grandfather. Also, I do earnestly beseech any soul who shall - perchance sometime long in the future find and decipher this - record, that he or she will search for the signet in the place that - I have indicated. And should they find it still there hidden, I - pray that they will make an effort to return it to any of my family - or connections who may still exist. - - "I have concealed the sapphire signet in—" - -Margaret came to a dead stop. "Girls—and Alexander—that's absolutely -_all_ there is!" - -So tense had been the interest that they could not believe their -ears when Margaret made this announcement. Alexander was the first -to recover his power of speech. Thumping the floor indignantly, he -delivered himself thus: - -"Suffering cats! _Can_ you beat it!" - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - -ALEXANDER ENGAGES IN SOME HISTORICAL RESEARCH - - -When the chorus of surprise and bewilderment and indignation had at -last subsided, they fell to discussing in its every detail this new -phase of the journal and its abrupt ending. - -"I tell you," announced Alexander, thumping a sofa-cushion to emphasize -his remark, "something _happened_ to that kid just as she got to the -last,—something happened, sure as wash-day! And it wasn't anything -pleasant, either! Do you get me?" - -"You must be right!" agreed Corinne. "When you think of what _was_ -going to happen the next day, and the danger she was in, and the fact -that this journal is torn in two, and all that, I'm positive something -terrible must have taken place just then. Poor little Alison! How are -we _ever_ going to know what it was, or whether she ever got out of -it all right and got back home! If the end of the other half of the -journal was maddening, this is about forty-five times worse! I feel as -if I'd go absolutely _crazy_ if this mystery isn't cleared up!" - -"There's one thing you must remember," suggested the practical Bess. -"History tells us that the poison plot was discovered in time and -didn't do Washington any harm; and that Phœbe Fraunces gave him the -warning, and he just cleared up the whole thing, and hanged the worst -one of the conspirators,—whoever he might be! Now, if that's the case, -don't you think we could take it for granted that Alison's affairs -turned out all right, too?" - -"Not necessarily!" retorted Corinne. "Remember, also, that Washington -didn't know anything about her, and that that horrid steward had been -watching her and plotting about her; and so had Corbie, too. Who knows -but what they took her and carried her off before the thing was to take -place, in order to have her out of the way!" - -"And there's another thing," added Margaret. "Do you remember what I -told you Mother said about that trunk of hers? It was found floating -around in an old wreck. Now how did it get there? If there was a wreck -and she was on it, she was probably drowned and never got back to -Bermuda alive. But how did she come to be on a vessel with her trunk if -she had been captured by the steward? Did he put her there?" - -"Maybe she wasn't on that vessel at all!" was the contribution Jess -made to the problem. "Somebody else may have taken possession of her -trunk for all you can tell. A trunk is something _anybody_ can use!" - -"But did you ever hear of such a maddening thing as that journal -breaking off just the minute she was going to tell where she'd hidden -the signet!" exclaimed Corinne in thorough exasperation. "Why couldn't -it have gone on just a second longer—at least till she'd had time -for a tiny hint! And, see here! Do you realize that she was actually -talking to _us_ (though she didn't know it) when she begs the person -who finds and deciphers this journal in the future to find the signet -and return it to her people?" - -"Why, that's _so_!" cried Margaret in a tone of hushed awe. "It didn't -strike me at first. She's actually speaking to _us_—for we _must_ be -the first ones who have read this journal! Isn't it amazing!" - -"You don't know whether we are or not," contradicted Bess, with her -usual cold common sense. "Lots of people may have seen it before we -did, and found the signet, too." - -"I don't think it's likely," argued Corinne, coming to Margaret's -defense. "And besides, how could they find the signet when she didn't -even have a chance to tell where it was! No, I feel quite sure we're -the first; but how are we ever going to know where she hid it? And even -if we _did_ know, would we be able to find it after the changes that -have come in all these years?" - -"Then too," put in Jess, "there's a chance that Alison got out of the -trouble all right, anyhow, and took the signet back to her grandfather -herself. How are you going to tell?" - -"There's one thing you all seem to have forgotten," suggested -Alexander. "And it's the biggest boost of the whole outfit! We are wise -to her last name—_Trenham_. Now you, Corinne,—you've been down there -to that little old joint, Bermuda. Did you ever hear of any one by the -name of Trenham?" - -"No, I didn't. Of course, I never inquired particularly, not knowing -anything about this, then. But I never heard that name. There's a very -common one on the island that's a good deal like it—Trimmingham—but -that doesn't help much. It probably isn't the same, though the English -do have the funniest way of shortening their names and pronouncing them -in queer ways!" - -"Wrong trail!" exclaimed Alexander, briefly. Then, suddenly turning to -Margaret, he added: - -"Here, kiddie! Hand me that journal-thing you've doped out. I want -to give it the once-over!" He studied it thoughtfully for several -minutes, tugging viciously the while at a long lock of red hair that -always hung over his eyes. The rest all kept very quiet, watching him -expectantly. Presently he issued his ultimatum: - -"There's one other piece of business that you all seem to have pretty -well given the cold shoulder—this song and dance about some plot in -Bermuda that the Alison kid says she was mixed up in. Have you ever -thought of doping that out?" - -"No, we haven't," admitted Corinne. "I did think once of hunting it up, -but the whole thing was so awfully vague that there didn't seem to be -any use. What could you hunt up, anyway? You'd have to read up a lot -of Bermuda history, and even then you probably wouldn't strike a thing -that had any bearing on it!" - -"You never can tell!" remarked the boy, wisely. "Me for this job, -from now on! Where's that library joint you get all your books from, -Corinne? Little Alexander's going to join the army of high-brows!" - -"You can take my card and use it, Alexander, or I'll get you the books -myself," Corinne kindly offered. - -"Thanks awfully, but nothing doing!" he returned. "This kid gets right -on the job himself when he strikes the trail. All I want to know is how -you break into the place. If you put me wise to _that_, yours truly -will do the rest!" - - -In the course of the next few days, Alexander became a duly enrolled -member of the nearest public library, and his family was edified -to behold him deeply immersed in the most unusual occupation of -literary and historical research. As he ordinarily touched no volume -of any nature except his school-books (and these only under severe -compulsion!), the spectacle was all the more amazing. Baseball and -other absorbing occupations of his street life were temporarily -forgotten. He would lie for hours flat on his stomach on the couch, his -heels in the air, pushing back his rebellious lock of hair, and mulling -over the various odd volumes he had brought home from the library. -At intervals he could be heard ejaculating: "Gee!" "Hot stuff!" and -remarks of a similar nature. - -But of his discoveries, if indeed he had made any, he would have -nothing to say, conceding only that, when he had found anything of -interest, a meeting of the Antiquarian Club should be called, and he -would then make his disclosures in proper business form. This was -absolutely all they could draw from him. The twins reported to Corinne -at school that Alexander was certainly doing (for him!) a remarkable -amount of reading; and it was not all about Bermuda, either, as they -had discovered from the titles of his books. American history also -figured in his list, and other volumes whose bearing on the subject -they could not even guess. They also expressed their wonder at the -curious change they had noticed in his manner toward them. - -"Oh, Alexander's _all right_!" Corinne assured them. "You've always -misjudged that little fellow, girls! He's got heaps of good in him! Of -course, he's a little rough and slangy, and a terrible tease, but most -boys _are_, at his age; and some are lots worse. He's a gentleman at -heart, though. You can tell that by the way he treats Margaret. He's -always just as gentle with her! But you've never taken him right. You -get awfully annoyed when he teases you, and that's just exactly what he -wants; it tickles him to pieces to see you get mad! If you'd only take -him up good-naturedly and give him as good as he gives you, you'd find -yourselves getting along heaps better!" - -"That's exactly what you do, I guess!" remarked Bess, ruefully. "And I -can see that he thinks you're fine. He said the other night that you -were 'some good sport,' and that's praise—from him! I'm going to try -and act differently toward him from now on. But, oh! his language is so -dreadful and slangy! It irritates me to pieces, and I just can't help -snapping at him when he talks that way!" - -"Do you know," said Corinne, "I've noticed a queer thing about him. -When he's very much in earnest and forgets himself completely, -especially in this mystery business, he hardly uses any slang at -all,—just talks like any one else! I believe he'll grow out of all -that, later, when he's learned that it isn't the way the worth-while -people talk. But he's bright—bright as a steel trap; and think where -we should have been in this affair if it hadn't been for him!" - -Meanwhile, all unconscious that he was a subject of such animated -discussion, Alexander was pursuing his researches in grim earnest; and -at length, in the course of a week or so, he announced that a meeting -might be called and he would make his report. When they had gathered -expectantly the following afternoon, he came in with an armful of books -and settled down on the floor before the open fire. - -"Now, don't go boosting your hopes sky-high!" he remarked, noting the -tense expectancy of their attitudes. "I ain't doped out anything so -very wonderful—" - -"Oh, _haven't_ you, Alexander?" exclaimed Margaret, disappointedly. "I -thought you must have found something _great_, the way you've been -grunting and chuckling and talking to yourself all this time when you -read in the evenings!" - -"Sorry to give you the cold shower, kiddie! I've done the best I could; -and if I was chuckling and grunting, it was because I'd struck some -ripping hot stuff in the way of adventures. Say! that Bermuda history -is _some_ little jig-time! I started to wade through it, thinking -it'd be as dry as tinder, and you can knock me down with a plate of -pancakes, but it was rich! Started right in with the greatest old -shipwreck, when old Admiral Somers and his men got chucked off on this -uninhabited island! Gee! it was as good as 'Robinson Crusoe,' that -we're reading about in school. Then they had a rip-snorting old mutiny, -and started in to build another ship, and all that sort of thing! And -later on, after they'd gone home to England and come back and settled -in a colony there, they started up some witchcraft, and ducked a lot of -gabby dames and hung some more, and—" - -"But, Alexander," interrupted the impatient Margaret, "you can tell us -all about that some other time. What _I_ want to know is, did you find -out _anything_ that seemed to be connected with our mystery?" - -"That's right, kid! We'll get down to business, and do our spieling -afterward. Well, I didn't strike a blooming thing that seemed to be -even a forty-second cousin to our affairs till I got down to the year -1775; and then I hit the trail of a piker called Governor Bruère, who -was the reigning high Mogul in Bermuda just then. He was some pill, -too, you can take it from me! And everybody seemed to hate him like -poison, he was such a grouch. Well, it was just about the time when -the Revolution busted out in the U. S. Washington was up there around -Boston, keeping the British on the jump. But he was scared stiff, -because gunpowder was so short. There were only about nine rounds left -for each American soldier. But they were chucking a good bluff, and of -course the British weren't wise to it. - -"Just about then, somebody put Washington on to the fact that down in -Bermuda there was a whole mint of gunpowder concealed somewhere in the -government grounds, and it wouldn't be so hard to get hold of it. At -the same time, too, the Bermudians were pretty nearly starving, because -they got all their food supplies from America, and since the war broke -out, England had cut them off at the meter. So Washington doped it out -that here was a good chance to make an exchange. He sent a couple of -fellers to tell the Bermudians that, if they'd give him that powder, -he'd send them a whole outfit of eats. And you'll admit that was square -enough! - -"But wouldn't this jar you! When they got there, they found the -whole place up in the air and the governor sizzling around like a -cannon-cracker, because some one had got in ahead of them, stole the -powder, and carted it off to America! They just turned tail and beat -it for home and mother as quick as they could, before the governor got -wind of their business! So long as Washington got the powder, they -should worry! - -"But the how of it was like this: a fellow named Captain Ord,—or some -say it was one called George Tucker, but most think it was Ord,—had it -all fixed up with some Bermudian friends that he should get the powder -on the q. t., load it on board his ship, and beat it while the going -was good. The powder-magazine was in the government grounds at a dump -called St. George's, and Governor Bruère always slept with the keys -under his pillow. Well, some smooth guy managed to swipe those keys one -dark night, and they rolled down no end of barrels to a place called -Tobacco Rocks, loaded 'em on whale-boats, and rowed out with 'em to -the ship that was anchored off Mangrove Bay, wherever that may be, and -Captain Ord was off with it before morning. Well, you can take it from -me that, when Bruère got wise to what had happened, he went up in the -air! He was a hot sketch, and he made it warm for the Bermudians; but -it didn't do any good, as nobody knew much about the business—or if -they did, they wouldn't tell! - -"Anyhow, Washington got his powder, and it's on record that afterward -he sent a heap of swell eats down to pay for it! Gee! wouldn't I like -to have been in on that fun though—the night they swiped the loot!" - -"But, Alexander, I don't see what all this has got to do with Alison!" -cried Margaret. "There's nothing in it about a girl, or the least thing -that concerns her!" - -"That's just where I knew you'd throw me down!" remarked Alexander. -"I told you to begin with that I hadn't found anything positive about -it, didn't I? Well, this is the _only thing_ that even passed it on -the other side of the gangway! That Alison kid keeps talking about a -plot in Bermuda and something that happened that the government didn't -cotton to, and there isn't another blooming hook to hang your hat on -but that, unless it's something that isn't spoken of or known about in -history. Then there's one other reason. She speaks of some one called -H., and his uncle, and his uncle's ship, and how they were afraid to go -back to Bermuda because one of the sailors had turned piker and given -way on them. Of course, it's all guesswork! And what in thunder a kid -like Alison could have to do with such a piece of work, beats me! But -there you are! I'm done!" - -There was considerable disappointment in the Antiquarian Club, when -Alexander had ceased, that nothing more definite had been unearthed -by him. It seemed highly unlikely to them all that this strange -little historical incident could have any bearing on the affairs of -the mysterious "lass" whose secret they had stumbled upon. None but -himself appeared to put any faith in the connection between the two, -and they discussed it for a time hotly. At last Corinne, perceiving -that Alexander was becoming piqued that his efforts were not more -appreciated, declared: - -"I think you've done splendidly, Alec, in discovering anything at all, -among such a lot of uncertain stuff; and perhaps we'll come across -something later that will make us sure. But you seem to have been -reading quite a pile of books. Are they all about Bermuda?" - -"Nope! Not on your tintype! There are precious few about Bermuda alone, -anyway. So after I'd chewed up what there was, I took to doping out -American history, and I came across some hot stuff there, too! The main -guy over there in the library advised me to read Washington Irving's -'Life of George Washington' when I told her I was tracking down -American history. And say, that's going some, too—in spots! I fell -over something last night that'll make you all put on the glad smile—I -found out the name of the feller that was soft on Phœbe!" - -"Oh, what is it?" they shouted in a satisfying chorus. - -"Thomas Hickey!" announced Alexander, proudly. - -"But how do you know?" - -"'Cause that's the name of the feller Washington hung! It was a member -of his life-guard who was one of the conspirators!" - -"Alexander, you're _some_ trump!" declared Corinne. "In all my -browsing, I never came across _that_!" - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - -A BELATED DISCOVERY AND A SOLEMN - -CONCLAVE - - -During the month following Alexander's researches into history, no -further progress was made in solving the mystery that absorbed the -Antiquarian Club. The Christmas holidays came and went, and the severer -winter weather held the city in such a grip that often, for days on -a stretch, Margaret could not be wheeled out in her chair. Under the -combined strain of confinement to the house and lack of any further -stimulating excitement, she grew very restless and just a wee bit -unhappy. The girls and Alexander were very busy with their midwinter -examinations, and could not give much time to other interests, even -such absorbing ones as the long-ago Alison and her fate. - -But, with the beginning of February, matters improved. The weather -moderated, to begin with, the sun shone daily, and Margaret could again -enjoy her outing of an hour in the sunny part of each early afternoon. -The others also, released from the grind of much study and "cramming -for exams," had leisure at last to give to the club-meetings, which -they now held regularly three times a week. Alexander was not always -with them, for the claims of hockey and skating and coasting often -proved too much for his boyish soul to resist. But, for the most part, -he managed to be on hand at least once a week, for his interest in the -mystery was still very great. - -They grew into the habit of reporting, at these meetings, any even -slight discoveries they had happened to make, in their reading or in -any other manner, that had the slightest bearing on the subject. Thus, -Corinne contributed the following, that she had gleaned in looking over -a history of New York City: in referring to Abraham Mortier, some one -had once remarked that the expression "Laugh and grow fat!" did not -apply to him, since, although he was very jolly, he was so thin that -the wind could blow him away! - -"That's interesting, but of course it doesn't help _us_ much!" Corinne -added apologetically. "But I thought anything about the Mortiers -would be well to know. I'll warrant Madame Mortier was just the -opposite—very fat and solemn!" - -Alexander contributed the information that Thomas Hickey was hanged at -a spot about where the corner of Grand Street and the Bowery is now. -And so deep was his interest in this gruesome affair that he even made -an excursion across the city one afternoon to visit the site! - -Margaret found a description of Richmond Hill, written by Mrs. John -Adams during her residence there, in which she described at much length -the beauty and attractiveness of the spot. Only the twins, who read -but little, made no additions to the stock of information. This they -apologized for by saying that they were no hand at such things, and -about everything had been discovered already, anyhow! - -Then Corinne invented another form of entertainment. This was that -each member of the Antiquarian Club should, after due thought and -consideration, invent an explanation of his or her own for the curious -break in Alison's journal and her probable fate. The game proved an -exceedingly diverting one, and every member took a separate meeting -and expounded the particular solution that appealed to his or her -imagination. - -Corinne herself wove a romantic tale about Alison's having been -captured that very night by the steward and Corbie while she was -writing, how they carried her off, journal and all, and later fought -over her book and tore it in two; how Alison was rescued by the -mysterious "H." just in the nick of time, and was taken away to -Bermuda to marry him and live happily ever after! But the mystery of -the two halves of the journal and their strange hiding-places and the -whereabouts of the sapphire signet she admitted she couldn't explain -and didn't try to! - -Alexander invented a lurid tale of Thomas Hickey discovering Alison -in the act of writing her journal, tearing it in two in snatching it -from her, and retaining the latter half. Phœbe then helped Alison to -escape with her trunk and the other half and embark on some vessel -that was later overhauled by pirates and scuttled, and Alison was made -to "walk the plank"! This horrible ending so affected Margaret that -she cried herself almost sick over it. And Alexander thereat was so -conscience-stricken that he determined henceforth to keep his inventive -powers under better control. - -Margaret herself advanced the theory that, for some reason, Alison and -Phœbe suddenly determined to tear the journal in two and each keep half -of it as evidence in case anything should go amiss. That Phœbe hid her -half in the beam, and Alison put hers in the trunk. Then they went and -denounced the plot to Washington, and he was so grateful that he sent -Alison right home to Bermuda, where she lived happily, having taken -the signet with her, and giving away the trunk to some relative and -forgetting all about the journal in the bottom. It was the relative -who was shipwrecked and abandoned the trunk! - -Again the twins, who had no gift of imagination, refused to offer -any solution, though they were highly interested in the tales of the -others. They both declared that they could think of absolutely no -explanation, so what was the use of their trying? And on these grounds -the others excused them. So the month passed, and then one day Margaret -announced that she herself had made a discovery, and proceeded to tell -of it. - -"It all came about through Sarah wanting to wheel me over through -Macdougal Street to-day and down Spring Street, because she had an -important errand there. You know we _never_ go through Macdougal -Street, because it's so narrow and not nearly as nice and clean and -sunny as our own and Varick Street. I actually don't think I've been -over that way for three or four years! Well, just as we were passing -a house between this block and Van Dam, I looked up at it, and what -do you think I saw?—the brass sign near the front door—"Richmond -Hill House"! I couldn't imagine for a moment what it meant. But I -asked Sarah if she knew what the place was, and she said it was a -settlement-house, with a day-nursery and clubs for the children and -things like that in it. - -"I asked why it was called that name, and she said she didn't -know—thought it was a silly one and didn't mean anything. But _I_ -knew—though I didn't say so! Somebody who knows about history has -called it that because it stands almost on the grounds where Richmond -Hill used to be. But oh, girls! think how much trouble and wondering -and hunting it would have saved us, if we'd only known about that house -at first! It would have suggested the thing to us right away!" - -"Huh!" remarked Alexander, disgustedly. "_I_ knew about that old joint -right along—ever since I lived here! _I_ could have told you a thing -or two, if you'd only consulted yours truly sooner!" - -"Well, never mind!" said Corinne, soothingly. "Maybe we _did_ get at -things in a roundabout, clumsy fashion; but we got there, just the -same, and we had a good time doing it, too! But now I've something -brand-new to say, and I want you all to listen very attentively. This -is a matter that needs a lot of careful consideration. We've about come -to the end of our rope, as far as making any further progress with this -mystery is concerned. We've been having a lot of fun and entertainment -out of it, of course, with these stories of our own, and all that sort -of thing. But we're not 'getting any forrarder,' as Dickens says; and -do you know, I'm beginning to think that perhaps we're not doing just -right in keeping this all to ourselves!" - -Here Margaret started and gave her a reproachful look. Corinne put an -arm over the invalid girl's shoulder and continued: - -"Honey dear, I know you think I'm playing the traitor, and trying to -spoil our delightful secret society, but I'm really not; and if you'll -hear me to the end, I believe you'll feel the same as I do. I've been -doing a lot of hard thinking about this matter lately. Perhaps you -haven't realized it, but I am certain that this old journal we've found -is really a very valuable thing—not only valuable in the way of money -(for many people would pay a great deal for a genuine old document like -this), but also in the way of historical information. We're keeping to -ourselves something that might really throw light on the past history -of our city. - -"Now, of course, I'm not _certain_ about this, but I'd like to have the -opinion of some grown person who really knows. And I've thought of a -plan by which we could do this, and at the same time keep our secret -society _almost_ the same as it is now. It's this: I would like you -all—and especially Margaret—to consent to my telling my father all -about this, and, if he is willing (and I'm certain he will be), we can -let him become a member of our Antiquarian Club. In that way, you see, -we won't be breaking up our society—we will just be adding another -member!" - -"But he's a _grown_ person!" objected Margaret, trying hard to keep the -tears from rising. "And he wouldn't care a _bit_ about a thing like -this! And we'd feel so strange and—and awkward to have an older person -in it!" - -"Oh, but you don't _know_ my father!" laughed Corinne. "To be sure, -he's a _grown_ person, but I never met any one who was more like a -_boy_ in his manner and interests and sympathies! Why, he's actually -more _boyish_ than lots of the young fellows in high school. He is -deeply interested in young folks and their affairs; and if he weren't -such an awfully busy man, he'd spend most of his time being with them. -He and I are _such_ chums! You ought to see us together when he's away -on a vacation! He romps around with me as though he were only sixteen, -and everything that interests me just absorbs him too. I believe you've -thought, because I said he loved books and history and _old_ things, -that he's a regular old fogey that goes around stoop-shouldered and -spectacled! He isn't a bit like that!" - -"I got you, Steve!" ejaculated Alexander. "He must be _some_ good -sport! I vote we ring him in on this!" - -Margaret, however, still looked only half convinced. - -"But, if he's so busy," she ventured, "I don't see how he's ever going -to find time to attend these meetings—even if he wanted to!" - -"Of course," Corinne responded, "it would be impossible for him to get -to our meetings, as a rule, but I know that he would be glad to hear -all about them from me, and sometimes, on holidays, he'd be delighted -to just get together with us all. And, what's more, I know he'd always -have some interesting thing that he'd propose doing—something probably -that we've never thought of!" - -Margaret had, by this time, almost completely melted, but she had one -further objection to offer: - -"But, Corinne, he doesn't _know_ us—not a thing about us, and he'd -feel awfully strange and queer too, getting acquainted with a lot of -brand-new young folks he's never even heard of before!" - -And again Corinne had her answer, even for this. - -"Wrong again, Honey!" she laughed. "Talk about his not _knowing -anything_ about you! Well, do you suppose for one wild minute that -I've never told him about these loveliest friends I ever had? Why, -every evening he and I talk for at least a couple of hours about every -blessed thing that interests us. I've given him your whole history, -described you all in every detail, told him how much I come here, and -that we had an important secret society. The only thing I _haven't_ -told him is the secret! But I've done something else that I hope you -won't mind—I've let him know that I was very anxious to have him -admitted as a member, and that the secret was something he'd probably -find _very_ interesting. And, do you know, he's just crazy to be -allowed in it, and is only waiting for the time when I'll come home -some day bringing him the high permission of its dear president!" - -Then, at last, did Margaret capitulate. How, indeed, could she hold out -after having been presented with such an alluring picture of the latest -member-to-be! Truth to tell, the desire was awakened in her heart -to meet this delightful father, who was so young in spirit that his -daughter considered him a "chum"! She gave her full consent that he was -to be told everything that night, and Corinne departed in high feather. -When she had gone, Margaret turned to the rest. - -"It must be lovely," she sighed, "to have a father like that!" - - - - -CHAPTER XV - -SARAH TAKES A HAND IN THE GAME - - -Corinne came rushing home with the girls next day. Margaret, who rather -expected her, had been waiting in considerable impatience, and not a -little secret dread, for her arrival. - -"Girls," she panted, throwing aside her wraps, "it's all right! I had -the loveliest time telling Father all about it last night! You've no -idea how perfectly _absorbed_ he was in the story! He was like a boy -listening to a pirate yarn! I read him all the translation of the -journal that Margaret made me, and he was just about wild when it came -to the end so abruptly. He thought, with me, that it was best not to -take the original from here, because you never can tell what accident -might happen to it, carrying it around, but he says he ought to see it -at once. - -"And, do you know, he said we'd done very clever work indeed, in -puzzling out what we had of this mystery all by ourselves! I was so -proud! And he said, also, that Alexander deserves special credit for -the work he did in finding the secret beam. It isn't every boy who -would have had such a good idea. He says Alexander is going to make -a bright man, and a prosperous one, too, some day! Where is that -youngster, by the way? I want to tell him!" - -"Oh, he hasn't come in yet!" exclaimed Margaret, hastily returning to -the main subject. "But tell us, Corinne, what else did your father say?" - -"Well, I haven't half told you yet! To begin with, he says that we -have really stumbled on something very valuable indeed—just as I told -you! This journal ought to make one of the most interesting additions -to the curiosities of history that have come to light in many a long -day. And he says he shouldn't wonder but what it would be very valuable -from the money side, too. There are people and institutions that will -pay hundreds and hundreds of dollars for rare manuscripts like that, -if they're genuine! And there's no doubt but that this is genuine, all -right! And he says we _may_ be able to think out where the signet was -hidden, too. - -"But, first of all, he wants very much to see the journal, and, of -course, he must come here for that. He wanted to come and call on your -mother some afternoon very soon. But I told him that was not possible, -because your mother is away at business all day, and anyway, your -mother wasn't a member of the club, and perhaps you wouldn't want to -explain the whole thing to her just yet. So he said he would telephone -to her to ask if he might stop in here with me some afternoon; and he -called her up this morning about it. She said she would be very glad -to have her girls meet the father of such a dear friend of theirs. -Wasn't that lovely of her? If you all are agreeable, he's coming day -after to-morrow, because he happens to have that afternoon free. He -will meet the twins and myself at high school, walk down with us, and -be initiated into the Antiquarian Club. He says that being shown that -wonderful journal ought to constitute a sufficient initiation ceremony, -and I agreed with him! Now, what do you say?" - -Margaret agreed unhesitatingly, yet in her secret soul she was filled -with just the same consternation that she always felt in being called -upon to meet a stranger. But she tried to school herself to the ordeal -by reminding herself how easy it had been to make the acquaintance of -Corinne. The father of so lovely and wonderful a girl ought surely to -be no more difficult to meet. Corinne had brought light and pleasure -and manifold interest into her drab little existence. Might not the -father do the same? Thus she argued with herself as the time slipped -by, till at length the day itself dawned that was to bring a new factor -into her life. - -"Wheel my chair over to the bookcase, please, Sarah!" she commanded -that afternoon, when she had been made ready to receive company in the -parlor. "I'll read, I guess, till the girls come. Corinne may bring -her father to-day, so could you have something kind of nice to eat, -Sarah dear?" The woman gave her an odd look. - -"Always that Corinne!" she grunted jealously. "Ye be fair daffy over -that gur-rl, I do believe! An' now her father's comin' wid her! Why is -she bringin' him? I ain't got refreshments fur the likes of them!" She -muttered and growled herself out of the parlor, but her remarks gave -Margaret no uneasiness. Too well she knew that, though Sarah might fuss -and fume over some imagined imposition, she would ascend later with the -daintiest of trays and serve the same maligned company with food fit -for the gods! So Margaret contentedly settled herself to wait and pass -the time by giving the curious old journal one further inspection. - -Meanwhile, the day's session at high school came to an end, and, at the -gate, Corinne and the twins found Mr. Cameron awaiting them. Whatever -mental picture the twins may have had of Corinne's father, they found -it very little like the reality. At once they were captivated by his -twinkling blue eyes, his crisply curling, slightly gray hair, his -friendly smile, and the thoroughly charming way he had of crinkling up -his eyes when he laughed. They liked, too, his big, deep voice, his -fine, tall, athletic-looking frame (and they wondered how he could be -ill so often, when he _looked_ so robust), and the jolly way he had -of laughing at his own or other people's remarks. No longer did they -wonder at his being such a chum of his daughter's, for before they -had gone three blocks, he had become as interested in their accounts -of basket-ball as though that game were the chief occupation of his -existence. - -But it was when he came to talking of their wonderful mystery that he -showed to his best advantage, in their eyes. Alexander himself could -not have exhibited a more thrilling interest in the whole affair than -did Mr. Cameron. And as they proceeded down Varick Street, he branched -off into talking of other historical associations connected with the -neighborhood; told the most fascinating little anecdotes, pointed out -hitherto unnoticed nooks and corners of odd shape and architecture, -and explained the probable reasons for their existence. So enthralling -was his conversation that they reached their own corner almost before -they noticed it. Just as they turned down the street, however, they -encountered Alexander. After the renewed introduction, Mr. Cameron -voted that they all have a look at the former site of McCorkle's -stable, and that Alexander should point out the exact location of the -secret beam, long since removed to give place to iron subway-girders. - -This naturally captured the heart of Alexander, and before they -returned to the house, he was fairly ready to worship, in his boyish -manner, this remarkable specimen of a grown man who seemed equally -interested in baseball, Indian wigwam-building, hockey, skating, and -boy affairs of all descriptions. But Alexander would sooner have been -torn limb from limb than confess this worship to the girls! - -At last they all approached the house, went up the stoop, and waited -while Bess opened the door with her latch-key. The girls thought it -rather strange that Margaret was not sitting in the window, waiting to -wave to them as she always did, but they concluded that she must have -had a fit of shyness, because of the new visitor, and had remained -behind the curtains. In the hall they called gaily to her, and were -again a little surprised to hear no response. Then they all entered the -parlor. - -To their utter astonishment they beheld Margaret, huddled in her chair -by the bookcase, her eyes wide and frightened, her face bearing plainly -the marks of recent tears. - -"What is it, Honey?" cried Corinne, the first to spring forward. "Are -you feeling ill?" - -"No," murmured Margaret, almost inaudibly. - -"Well, here's father!" went on Corinne. "You must welcome the latest -member of the Antiquarian Club, Miss President! And don't be afraid -of him, for he knows you very well!" Corinne said this in a tone of -forced gaiety, thinking that perhaps Margaret was really frightened -at the prospect of meeting a stranger. Her father shook the little -outstretched hand cordially, said some pleasant things of a general -nature, and then plunged at once into the important subject of the day. - -"Now you must initiate me, Miss Margaret! Show me this wonderful -thing you clever people have unearthed! I want to see it so badly -that I could hardly sleep last night with expectation, and that's no -exaggeration! It's the real truth!" - -To the utter astonishment of every one, Margaret burst suddenly into -wild tears. - -"It's gone! It's gone!" she sobbed. "It isn't there any more!" - -"What do you mean, Honey?" cried Corinne, rushing to her and trying -vainly to hush the child's hysterical weeping. "It can't be gone! -What's happened to it?" - -At this the sobbing came with renewed violence, and it was several -minutes before Margaret was able to whisper the one word: - -"_Sarah!_" - -"What about her? Do you want her to come up?" inquired Bess. Margaret -frantically shook her head. - -"Childie," said Corinne at last, very gently, "try to calm yourself and -tell us what has happened. You'll be ill if you keep on like this!" - -After a moment, Margaret straightened herself, with a great effort -stopped the sobbing, and spoke: - -"I know I'm a silly to act like this, but a terrible thing has -happened. _The journal is gone!_ I looked for it in its usual place -this afternoon, and—it wasn't there! I hadn't taken it out for several -days, and I knew the rest of you hadn't either. I couldn't imagine what -had become of it, and I didn't like to ask directly, of course. So I -called Sarah up and asked her if she'd been cleaning the bookcase, -because I missed something. She gave me just one queer look. Then she -said no, she hadn't been cleaning, but if I was looking for that old -rubbish I kept back there, I needn't look any more, because she'd -taken it all out and—_burned it up_!" Margaret sobbed afresh at the -memory. - -"_Burned it up!_" shouted every one in a chorus of consternation. - -"But why under the sun should she _do_ such a thing?" demanded Corinne, -indignantly. "Even if it weren't valuable, it seems to me simply cruel -in her to destroy anything she knew you were interested in and prized! -I can't understand it!" - -"Did she say anything else?" asked Bess. - -"No," added Margaret, "She just stalked out of the room and downstairs. -She seemed awfully mad about something. And I was so stunned I couldn't -say a thing. But I just sat and cried and cried till you all came in." - -"This all seems very extraordinary!" began Mr. Cameron. "And it is -the more so to me, because I have always understood Corinne to say -that Sarah was devoted to all of you, especially to Miss Margaret. -As Corinne suggests, it would appear simply wanton cruelty in her to -deliberately destroy anything she knew her favorite prized. Maybe -there is something we haven't understood. Perhaps the woman hasn't -really burned the thing up—is only trying to tease you. Would there be -any objection to our seeing her, and perhaps putting a few questions?" - -"None at all!" declared Bess, though she secretly felt that there might -be many. And with some very uncomfortable qualms, she rang the bell -that Margaret always kept by her side. In two minutes they heard the -heavy footsteps of Sarah on the basement stairs, and in two more she -had opened the parlor door and stood before them. - -"Is anything the matter?" she inquired as her hostile glance swept the -room and its occupants. But they all noticed that her manner lacked its -usual assurance, and that she was decidedly ill at ease. - -"We were wondering if you could explain what became of Miss Margaret's -papers and blank-books," began Mr. Cameron, constituting himself -spokesman. "She tells me you have removed them. They are rather -interesting, and I had come to-day on purpose to see them." - -At this Sarah uncorked the vials of her wrath. - -[Illustration: "You must welcome the latest member of the Antiquarian -Club, Miss President!"] - -"Ye do well to be askin' afther them dur-rty owld bits of paper -filled so full wid ger-rms they was probably fightin' to hang on! I -told her I'd bur-rned them up, an' I told the truth. If she don't get -the typhoid-new-mon-i-ay, it won't be fur want of hangin' over them -mouldy rags day afther day! I been watchin' her, an' don't ye fergit -it! She ain't been well this month past—ever fur her. I guess she -ain't told ye I'm up wid her the better part of every night wid the -pain in her back! Even the docther don't know what's the matter wid -her, she's ailin' so much worse lately. I ain't watched her all her -life fur nuthin', an' I been watchin' her closer than ever lately, -though she didn't guess it. I usually come up them stairs like a -rhinoceros-horse—I know that! But I _can_ come up pretty soft when -I choose—an' take the time! I seen her draggin' these things out -from behind the books, an' shovin' 'em back if she thought any one -was comin', an' breakin' her poor back bendin' over 'em, studyin' -'em's though they wus made of gold! An' I says to meself, this has -got to stop! So I jest took 'em out the other day an' burned up the -whole clamjamfray of 'em. An' ye kin say what ye like about their -bein' interestin',—I don't believe it! The dur-rty, disgustin' owld -rubbish!" And with this final shot, Sarah turned and tramped heavily -out of the room, leaving an astonished and speechless group behind her. - -The remaining time that Corinne and her father were there was spent -in comforting Margaret. There was no denying that Sarah had finally, -definitely, and fatally ruined every hope they had cherished of -disclosing to the world a new and startling historical discovery. And -Mr. Cameron was more bitterly disappointed than he dared to show. But -he tried to cheer Margaret as best he could, and when he came to go, he -left her with this pleasant consolation: - -"Never mind about the original journal now. That's gone, and no good -ever did come of crying over spilt milk! Remember that the mystery -remains, just as good as ever it was, and it is still the business of -the Antiquarian Club to solve it! I, the latest member, am just as -interested as the rest of you. _Some day_—mark my words!—we're going -to fit the pieces of this puzzle together!" - - - - -CHAPTER XVI - -THE SAPPHIRE SIGNET - - -Margaret was far from well, even for her. For two weeks she had been -ailing, and appeared weak and listless. Corinne was not very much -surprised on coming in one afternoon to find her no longer in her -wheel-chair by the parlor window, but upstairs in bed in her room on -the second floor. This had never happened before since the day that -Corinne had first visited the little house in Charlton Street, and her -heart misgave her as she climbed the stairs with the twins. But she -entered the room, assuming a cheerfulness she was far from feeling. - -"Taking a vacation in bed, Honey? Well, I don't blame you, in such -wretched weather! It was sleeting and freezing as I came in, and the -walking is simply abominable. How cozy you are here with another open -fire! You seem to have one in every room. I wish _we_ did!" - -Margaret greeted her with something of her old animation, but presently -relapsed into listlessness again. Corinne chatted on for a time, as -though nothing out of the ordinary were the matter: - -"I've got some news from the latest member of the Antiquarian Club! -He has a proposition to make. He says that when the first nice -spring weather comes, he's going to invite the club to a series of -'antiquarian outings.' They're to take place every pleasant Saturday -afternoon. He will have a big, comfy automobile come here, and we're -all to pile in,—Margaret in the comfiest place of all,—and we're -going to 'do' old New York—the real, historic parts, I mean. One day -we'll take a run up to Van Cortlandt Manor, and see that place, which -was Washington's headquarters at one time. Then another day we'll do -the lower part of the city, and have lunch at Fraunces' Tavern. And, -oh! he's planned a lot of things like that. It's going to be great -fun, I tell you!" - -But Margaret failed to be roused to any extent even by this delightful -prospect, though the twins were thoroughly enthusiastic. At last, -when Bess and Jess had gone downstairs to investigate the refreshment -proposition, Corinne determined to fathom, if possible, the curious -apathy that seemed so new to Margaret. - -"Honey, dear," she crooned, sitting on the bed-side and putting her -face down by Margaret, "something's bothering you, and I want you to -tell me what it is! Something's troubling your mind. Can't you tell me -about it, dear, even if you haven't any one else?" - -Margaret raised herself on her elbow and faced Corinne. "Yes, something -_is_ bothering me," she acknowledged, "and no one but you has seemed to -notice it. But I'm going to tell you, Corinne, because I love you, and -I haven't any secrets from you. I'm just worried _sick_ because that -journal was destroyed! It was my fault. I'm responsible for it all! It -might have been very valuable, and been sold for a good deal of money. -And that would have helped Mother a lot, because we're not very well -off, and she has to work awfully hard!" - -"But, Margaret," exclaimed Corinne, "this is all nonsense! Of course, -it's unfortunate that the thing happened, but you can't even blame -Sarah, for _she_ didn't know it was anything of value, and she thought -she was acting for the best, and saving you from getting sick. -_Nobody's_ to blame! It's just one of those unlucky things that happen -sometimes. It isn't as if you or any one else had been _careless_ about -it!" - -"But you don't understand me!" insisted Margaret. "It _was_ my fault, -because I kept insisting that this thing should be a secret, and nobody -else was to be told. It was terribly foolish—I can see that plainly -now! And I never should have kept such a valuable thing in such an -insecure place. We ought to have shown it at once to your father and -let him keep it. Oh, I'll never forgive myself—never, never!" She -turned her face into the pillows and lay a long time silent,—not -crying, but just in an apathy of self-reproach. - -Corinne, meanwhile, argued and pleaded and consoled—in vain. Margaret -would neither look up nor respond. And at last, in despair, she -exclaimed: - -"Margaret, I want to tell you something Father said last night. It may -make you feel better about this very thing. He said that even though -the original journal was destroyed, that didn't alter the fact that -we youngsters had made a most remarkable 'find,' and had discovered a -mystery that was well worth tracking to its finish. He says he's proud -to be a member of the Antiquarian Club, and hopes you haven't let any -one else into the secret. He wants it kept quiet till we've fathomed -the riddle, if we ever do! You _haven't_ told any one yet, have you?" - -Margaret raised her head, at this, with a faint spark of interest. -"No, I haven't even told Mother," she said, "because I hated to have -her know how near we'd been to finding something valuable, and then -disappointing her by saying it was lost. Of course, we've told her all -about your father's visit, and she thought he was so kind to take such -an interest in us. She said she supposed it was for _your_ sake. Sarah -has never said another word, even to me, about the things she burned -up. I think she's half ashamed of it, and yet feels that she really -did right in taking away something that she supposed was hurting me. -She's awfully worried because I don't seem so well, and she's almost -killing herself taking care of me and doing all her other work, too. -But, Corinne, did your father say he'd _really_ like this all kept a -secret still? That's awfully nice of him, and makes what _I_ did seem -not quite so foolish! I believe I'll feel a little better about it from -now on!" - -Margaret certainly appeared to improve in spirits after this interview, -but still her bodily strength did not return, and day after day she -remained confined to her bed. Her mother and Sarah grew almost ill -themselves with anxiety about her. The doctor said it was the drain of -the winter on her frail system, and prescribed a strong tonic, but even -this did not seem to have the desired effect. But Corinne came in one -day with news that actually brought a tint of pale pink to the little -invalid's white cheeks. - -"Father's been doing some tall _thinking_ lately," she announced, "and -this is the result. He wants me to submit the matter to the Antiquarian -Club for due consideration, and would like every member present when I -do so. Where are the others?" - -The twins and Alexander were promptly gathered into Margaret's room, -and Corinne continued: - -"This is what Father's been puzzling over. He says that sapphire -signet must have been a very valuable thing, and it ought to be found, -if there's the slightest possibility of finding it. He knows a lot -about precious stones and their history, and he says that a _sapphire_ -signet, especially an old one, is a very rare thing. The reason is -that sapphires are so hard that it's very difficult to engrave them, -and so signets were not very often made of them. So, if this signet -were found, it would probably be worth a great deal of money. But, more -than that, he thinks we owe it as a duty to the memory of little Alison -to make some _effort_, at least, to find it and restore it to her -descendants or family, if she has any left." - -"That's what I've always thought, too!" murmured Margaret, -parenthetically. - -"Well, he says he's been doing some '_Sherlock Holmes_' thinking, -and trying to imagine where she could possibly have concealed that -trinket. He doesn't think she kept it hidden about herself anywhere. -She would probably have thought that too dangerous, for she might have -been searched. And he can't bring himself to think that she concealed -it anywhere about the house or in the grounds,—there would have been -such slight chance, in such a case, of it ever getting back to Bermuda, -or her relatives ever having a chance to find it. But he did wonder -whether it might have been hidden in the secret beam with the other -half of the journal. You would surely have found it, then, wouldn't -you, Alexander?" - -"Bet your life!" replied that youngster, promptly. "If that dinky -little do-dab had been in there, yours truly would have cabbaged it all -right! I knew well enough it was my last chance at _that_ old dump, and -I clawed over every square inch of it a dozen times before I rung off. -No sirree! it wasn't _there_, and you can take your Uncle Dudley's word -for it!" - -"Then we'll count that out," went on Corinne. "Father didn't think -there was much likelihood of it—only a remote possibility. Then there -remain only two other possibilities, and he thinks the most likely one -was—the old leather covers of the journal!" - -"Oh, why did we never think of it ourselves!" cried Margaret excitedly. -Then, a moment later, with the droop of disappointment to her mouth: -"But if that's so, then it's gone forever—thanks to Sarah! She had a -red-hot fire that day, I know, and the thing would have dropped in the -ashes and never been found in the world!" - -"But how could the signet have been hidden in the cover?" queried Bess, -skeptically. "It must have been rather bulky, and _we_ never saw any -evidence of such a thing!" - -"No," corrected Corinne, "Father says the signet was probably rather -flat, and if Alison was at all clever, she could easily have slid it -under the lining of one of the covers (which were very thick, if you -remember) and pasted it up so it would never be noticed. He says he's -known of stranger things than that being done. Anyhow, he thinks that -is the place in which she would have been most likely to hide it. And -if she did, of course, we have no hope of ever finding it now. But -there's one other possibility—and that's our 'last chance'!" - -"Oh, what _is_ it?" they all demanded, as she came to a provoking pause. - -"_The little hair-trunk!_" - -Margaret raised herself in bed and shouted feebly, "Hurrah!" and then -added, "But how in the world are we ever to get at it?" - -"That's just the point!" added Corinne. "He says we must devise a -way of getting at that trunk, somehow, and since you all are better -acquainted with Sarah and her vagaries than he is, he leaves it to -you to concoct some plan. If you can't think of _any_ other way, we'd -better tell your mother, and have her order Sarah to unlock the attic. -But of course that would spoil our secret society, and we won't try -that except as a last resort." - -"I have an idea!" cried Margaret, suddenly. "I'll ask Mother to-night -about the trunk, and beg her to let me have it to keep some of my books -and things in, because I've taken a fancy to it. I'm sure she won't -refuse me. And if she orders Sarah to let me have the trunk, Sarah'll -just have to do it!" - -They all agreed that the plan looked exceedingly hopeful, and Corinne -left for home with the assurance that the trunk would soon be theirs to -search from end to end. - -But when Margaret came to talk it over with her mother that night, she -met with an unexpected objection. - -"Dear heart," said Mrs. Bronson, "you know that I'd do everything in -my power to grant you any reasonable wish, but don't you see that your -request is a rather inconvenient one at present? You know that you -haven't been really well for some time, and Sarah has been working -very, very hard taking care of you days—and nights too, often. She's -very tired now and has been rather ill-humored lately. Now, I don't -know just what she keeps in that little trunk, but I'm perfectly sure -that, if I ask her to empty it and change things about in the attic, -she won't take it very pleasantly and _may_ make an awful fuss! And we -can't afford to have her get upset and leave just now, can we, dear?" - -Margaret ruefully agreed, and had to be satisfied with her mother's -assurance that perhaps, when she got better, and household matters had -smoothed out, Sarah might be approached on the subject. - -But this arrangement did not at all suit the rest of the Antiquarian -Club when they held a solemn council next day. - -"Suffering Simpson!" exploded Alexander. "If we wait for that hunk o' -misery, Sarah, to get in a good humor, we'll wait until horse-radish -tastes good on your ice-cream! Nix on _that_!" - -"Well, What are we going to do, then?" demanded the others, -despairingly. - -"Just you leave it to yours truly!" announced Alexander. "I've got a -little scheme!" - -"Quick! Tell us what it is!" - -Alexander gave an impudent wink, and remarked casually: "I'm going to -nose out where Sarah keeps the key to the attic!" - -"Splendid!" cried Corinne. "And what then?" - -"_Then_—" he finished dramatically, "we're going to have a grand old -meeting of the club some day when she's out, and rip the stuffing out -of that trunk!" - -It had seemed a simple thing, when Alexander announced his plan, and -every one supposed it would soon be accomplished. But it turned out -to be a harder task than even he had anticipated. With infinite -caution he searched Sarah's room and all her belongings when he knew -she was safe in the kitchen, and the twins aided him by keeping guard -on the stairs. But the key was not there. Next, one night when all -the household was abed, he crept down and inspected every shelf and -cubbyhole and possible or impossible receptacle in the kitchen and -pantry. Neither was it there. Margaret declared that she knew Sarah did -not carry it in her pocket, nor did she appear to have anything hanging -round her neck. - -"Then that lallypaloozer must have _swallowed_ it!" affirmed Alexander, -angrily. "But I'll make one more grand hunt in her room this afternoon, -if the twins will help me out by watching the stairs. Maybe I -overlooked something!" - -[Illustration: He began to tap the inside of the trunk all over, -carefully, with the handle of his penknife] - -Half an hour later he burst into Margaret's room with a whoop. "Call a -meeting of the whole club for next Thursday afternoon—it's Sarah's day -out!" he whispered jubilantly. "I found it!" - -"Oh, where, where?" demanded Margaret, scarcely believing it could be -true. - -"_In the toe of one of her old shoes!_" - - -On the last Thursday afternoon of each month it was Sarah's custom -to go out by herself for three or four hours, leaving the house and -Margaret in charge of the twins. This was the only outing she ever -took. On the day in question it was understood that Corinne and her -father (who insisted on being present at this important meeting) should -arrive at three-thirty—after Sarah had gone, or she might, on seeing -them, change her mind and stay home! Alexander was then to filch the -key from her shoe, open the attic, and, with the help of the twins, -carry the trunk down to Margaret's room. - -Everything worked smoothly. Sarah departed as usual, Mr. Cameron -and Corinne arrived, tingling with excitement, Alexander opened the -attic, and the wonderful old trunk was at last deposited in triumph -before Margaret's bed. They turned out the family's summer flannels -carefully, that no spot or wrinkle on them might in the future disturb -the equilibrium of the uncertain Sarah, and examined the false bottom -with an actual thrill to think that here, in this very spot, poor -frightened little Alison was wont to conceal the telltale journal. - -But when the false bottom was removed, there appeared no trace of a -jewel (as they had all secretly hoped there might be) nor any crack -or crevice where it might be concealed. The old-fashioned lining was -absolutely intact. Margaret gave a little sigh of disappointment, but -Mr. Cameron remarked: - -"Don't be discouraged! We haven't finished yet!" And he began to tap -the inside of the trunk all over, carefully, with the handle of his -penknife. Then, suddenly, they beheld him open the knife and skilfully -slip up the figured lining far in one corner. In another second he had -inserted his fingers in the opening and was feeling about eagerly. The -next moment he laid something in Margaret's lap, with just this quiet -remark: - -"At last, Miss President! _The sapphire signet!_" - -There was an instant of amazed silence. Then, at an indistinct sound -from downstairs, Bess uttered a horrified cry: - -"Merciful goodness! Sarah's come back already! What _shall_ we do!" - - - - -CHAPTER XVII - -IN WHICH SARAH CHANGES HER MIND - - -It was indeed Sarah! The sound of her latch-key in the basement door -was unmistakable. What could have induced her to return when she had -been away scarcely more than an hour, they could not imagine, unless -it was her anxiety on Margaret's account. At any rate, there she was, -and a panic of consternation seized them all. Even the wonderful signet -was forgotten in the stress of the moment. Strangely enough, it was -Margaret who first regained her poise and grasped the situation. - -"Quick!" she whispered. "Corinne and Jess, get those things back in the -trunk—any old way! Bess, you go out and call down to ask her what's -the matter. Maybe she isn't coming up just yet!" - -They got to work in frantic haste, and Bess went out in the hall to -make her inquiries of Sarah. - -"What's the trouble, Sarah? You're back very early!" they heard her -ask. And an answering voice from the basement stairs responded: - -"Sure 'tis rare unhealthy weather fur this time of year! 'Twas so -war-rm I nearly roasted in me heavy coat—and we not out of winter yet! -I come back fur me lighter cape. 'Tis hangin' in the attic!" - -"We're lost!" muttered Mr. Cameron as Bess rushed in, despair written -all over her face. "Can't any one think of something to keep her -downstairs for five minutes?" - -And this time it was Alexander who came to the rescue. - -"Just watch your Uncle Dudley!" he whispered, as he ambled with -apparent unconcern out of the room. "If you hear me call her down, give -that trunk the boost to the attic as soon as you can, and put the key -back in her shoe." - -They heard him leisurely descending the stairs, and Sarah's massive -tread approaching nearer and nearer. At one point there came sounds as -of a slight scuffle, and muttered remarks of "Spalpeen!" and "I'll fix -you yet, young man!" Then Alexander passed on, whistling derisively, -and Sarah's heavy feet began the ascent of the second-story flight. -Up and up she came, and still nothing happened. Hope died out in the -listening group, for they were sure now that, whatever Alexander might -do, it would be too late to avert the catastrophe. Sarah had, indeed, -just planted a broad foot on the top step when they heard Alexander's -shrill voice calling from the basement: - -"Oh, Sarah! Sarah! Come quick! There's something afire in the kitchen!" - -"Saints save us!" They heard her exclaim, and she turned to descend -with a speed of which they had never dreamed her capable. - -"Do you think it's anything _serious_?" whispered Jess to Mr. Cameron. -"Oughtn't we go down, too?" - -"No indeed!" he laughed. "I guess we can trust Alexander. Fortunately, -the trunk is very light, so you girls can get it upstairs while I -listen in the hall to see if they need help below." - -In five minutes the three girls had the trunk safely back in its place, -and the key restored, and were back in Margaret's room, panting from -exertion and breathless excitement. But it was at least a quarter of an -hour before Alexander came up again, chuckling and smoke-blackened. - -"Well, this is one time when we put it all over the lallypaloozer!" he -exclaimed jubilantly. "I got that pail of glue I keep in the yard to -paste kites with, and put it on the gas-stove as if I was going to heat -it. Then I accidentally-on-purpose dropped a lighted match into that -big tin thing where Sarah keeps the waste paper and scraps. It made a -big blaze, but I knew it couldn't hurt anything, 'cause it's tin all -around it. But I raised a hullabaloo like you'd thought the Woolworth -Building was going up in blue smoke! It fetched her down, all right, -and I figure it'll keep her there a good spell! The gas-stove's all -smoky, and she's cleaning it up and growling like a bear, so I beat it -up here!" - -Then at last, with their minds relieved, did they have their first -opportunity to consider their wonderful "find," and they all crowded -around Margaret, in whose little white palm it lay. The gold setting at -the back was tarnished quite black, but the jewel itself was apparently -unchanged. They gave an involuntary gasp as they examined it, for it -was even more beautiful than they had imagined. The flat sapphire -itself was as large as a big Lima bean, flawless, and curiously -engraved with the old-English letter "T," and a crest above it, looking -like two eagles holding a sword. The surrounding diamonds were tiny, -but finely cut and still brilliant. - -"Isn't it almost unbelievable," half whispered Margaret, at last, "to -think that right here in my hand I hold the very jewel that cost poor -Alison so much pain and trouble! And, oh! to think, besides, that it -never got back to Bermuda, after all, and probably she didn't either. -It makes me, feel just—sad—somehow!" - -"But what are we going to do with it?" demanded Corinne. - -Mr. Cameron had been examining the jewel with all the ardor of a -genuine lover of antiques. He now spoke very quietly: - -"There's only one thing to do, and it's a solemn duty imposed on us by -the writer of that poor little journal you found. We must make every -effort to discover whether the Trenhams in Bermuda have any descendants -or relatives existing to-day. No matter how distant they may be, the -signet must be returned to them, for it was Alison's wish. If we should -find none, that is another matter. I believe the jewel would then be -rightly counted the property of—the Bronsons of Charlton Street!" - -The Bronson contingent there present gasped in chorus! - -"But how shall we go about hunting up the descendants of the Trenhams?" -questioned Corinne. "That'll be a big piece of work, won't it?" - -"It probably will, and perhaps a very complicated one, besides," agreed -Mr. Cameron. "We had better start our investigations with the Bermuda -records, and I'll write down there to the authorities asking how I -can get hold of data about the family history. The matter must be -dealt with very carefully, because it is really no light affair. I am -convinced, even in this hasty examination, that the signet is very rare -and of very considerable value, not only because of the stone itself, -but of its antiquity. It must not be lightly given away. Its ownership -must be proved beyond a doubt. I expect to be extremely busy for the -next three or four weeks, and may have little time to give to this -matter. But after that, when business slackens, I can give this the -attention it deserves. Meantime, I think perhaps it had better be kept -in my safe-deposit box at the bank, where it will be absolutely safe. -We won't trust _this_, at least, to Sarah's tender mercies!" - -Suddenly Corinne cried out in perplexity: "But this makes our mystery -deeper than ever! Do you realize it, folks? What became of poor little -Alison, after all? And why were her trunk and her jewel and half her -journal found floating about in a wrecked vessel?" - -"I tell you, she had to 'walk the plank'!" reiterated Alexander. "I -said so before, and now I believe it! It'd make a gorgeous old pirate -yarn!" - -"She didn't! She didn't!" wailed Margaret. "I won't believe such a -thing!" - -"Never mind what happened—just yet!" interrupted Mr. Cameron, -soothingly. "The Antiquarian Club's going to find out the truth some -time—I'm convinced of that!" - - -It was two weeks later, about the middle of March, when Corinne came in -to see Margaret one afternoon with considerable suppressed excitement -in her manner. Margaret was still confined to her bed, and, though -scarcely so listless as she had seemed at first, she was undoubtedly -weaker. Corinne's visits were now her mainstay of pleasure and -interest, and she welcomed the girl with a glad little cry. - -"I've got news for you, Honey!" said Corinne, laying her usual offering -of flowers and fresh fruit on the bed. - -"What?" cried Margaret, eagerly. - -"Well, you mustn't be surprised, but Father hasn't been a bit well -again, lately. The weather's awfully hard on him, and his business has -rushed him, too, and he's all run down. So in a couple of weeks he's -going to take a vacation and go down to Bermuda again. It did him a lot -of good last time. He'll stay at least a month, and longer if he feels -like it." - -"Isn't that nice!" cried Margaret, with great interest. "I'm awfully -sorry he doesn't feel well, but I'm glad he can go to such a lovely -place and get better. You'll miss him though, won't you, Corinne, -because you seem to be with him such a lot,—more than most girls are -with their fathers!" - -"No," said Corinne, slowly, "I won't miss him, because—I'm going with -him!" - -Margaret stared at her a moment wide-eyed, and her chin quivered—just -a mere trifle. But she braced up with a visible effort and exclaimed: - -"Oh, Corinne! how lovely! You certainly are a lucky girl!" Then the -chin began to quiver harder, and all at once poor little Margaret -completely lost control of herself, and buried her head in the pillow, -sobbing: - -"Oh, I _am_ glad! I really am glad for you, Corinne! Don't mind this! -Only it just seemed as though I _couldn't_ live without you for so -long!" - -Corinne gathered the sobbing form in her arms and crooned to her: "You -won't have to, dearie, for—_you're going along, too_!" - -Margaret sprang back from her embrace, pushed the tangled curls from -her eyes, and gazed at Corinne as though her friend had suddenly gone -crazy. - -"_What?_" was the only word she could utter. - -"Now, just you let me explain it all," began Corinne, soothingly, -settling down on the bed beside her. "And don't you get so excited, -because it isn't good for you. I'll tell you the whole story. It was -like this. After Father found it was best to go to Bermuda, he made -up his mind that Aunt Katharine and I might as well go, too, because -he hates to go alone. And, of course, I was crazy to go, but just one -thing kept me from being _entirely_ delighted, and that was—_you_! I -hated to leave you, because I love you, and also because you are not at -all well just now. Father and I have both been very anxious about you. -So we got to talking it over, and suddenly he said: 'Why not invite -Margaret to come along with you as your guest! The trip might do her a -great deal of good, and I know you two are growing as inseparable as a -pair of Siamese twins!' - -"Well, you can just warrant I was delighted, for I knew Father'd never -make such a suggestion unless _he_ really wanted you, too! He said he -would call on your mother at her place of business, and see if she -would consent, and also on your doctor, to see if he thought the trip -would be advisable. I begged him to make them keep it a secret, so -that, if everything went well, I could surprise you with the news when -it was all settled. I hated to have you disappointed in case the doctor -thought it wasn't wise, or your mother felt that she couldn't consent -to your going. - -"Your mother was awfully surprised, of course, and for a while she -almost refused, because she felt it to be too much for Father to do. -But when she found that it was going to do you so much good, and how -terribly I wanted you, she gave in. And you needn't worry about being -taken care of and having everything done for you that Sarah does. _I'm_ -going to do that! It's to be my job, being your lady's maid, and won't -I enjoy it! Aunt Katharine will help too, when necessary. She's lovely -and kind and gentle, and you're going to like her a lot! - -"Honey, we sail a week from next Wednesday, and I can hardly wait for -the time to come!" - - -There was surprise and rejoicing in the Charlton Street house that -night when Mrs. Bronson arrived and the great secret became public -property. Mrs. Bronson admitted that she had known about it for -several days, and was having a pretty outfit of traveling clothes made -for Margaret. The twins were frankly delighted, for they had been -themselves experiencing much secret anxiety on account of Margaret's -precarious health, as indeed had all the household. Alexander gave an -Indian war-whoop that was ear-splitting and performed the acrobatic -feat of standing on his head in the middle of the parlor floor for -three minutes unassisted! The extraordinary racket brought an indignant -Sarah up from the kitchen to investigate. - -But it was when Sarah heard the news that consternation fell upon the -happy household. She placed both hands on her massive hips, threw back -her head, squared her shoulders, and announced: - -"If Margie puts one fut aboard that rampagin' ship, I go out of this -house, never to retur-rn!" - -Now, when the autocratic Sarah made a statement of this nature, it -was time for the family to tremble! Mrs. Bronson argued, pleaded, -commanded—in vain. Sarah could no more be budged from her position -than the Rock of Gibraltar. Urged to state her reasons, she would -offer but two. And these were that, about forty years ago, she herself -had come over from Ireland in a truly "rampagin'" ship, and never -again would she trust herself or any one she held dear to the mercies -of the ocean. Arguments that ship-building had made some progress -and traveling was safer since those days had absolutely no effect on -her—in fact, she refused to believe them! - -Her second reason was that Margaret had been in her care ever since -she was born, and no one else knew so well what to do for the delicate -child. She was firmly convinced that it would be the death of her -beloved charge to be removed from her oversight. At last the distracted -Mrs. Bronson laid the matter aside for the night, the girls retired to -bed in tears and indignation, and Alexander dared to shake his fist -at the broad back of Sarah departing to the kitchen. Only Margaret -remained in ignorance of the impending disaster, and fell asleep happy -beyond words. - -The next day Mrs. Bronson sent a request to Mr. Cameron to call that -evening, for she felt that the situation must be explained to him. It -would be a serious matter if Sarah kept her word—as she doubtless -had every intention of doing. It also was important, for the sake of -Margaret's health, that she should get away and have this wonderful -change. Mrs. Bronson was a sorely troubled woman as she explained the -circumstances to her visitor. Mr. Cameron sat in deep thought for a few -moments. Then he said: - -"Could you have your housekeeper come up here for a few minutes and -allow me to see her alone?" - -Mrs. Bronson declared that it was entirely possible, summoned Sarah, -who arrived full of hostile intent, introduced her to the visitor, and -went upstairs, leaving them together for a while. Margaret had by this -time learned of the trouble, and was nervous and anxious and feverish. -Corinne, who had come with her father, was sitting with her, trying to -assure her that she need not worry. But the assurance rang hollow in -her own ears. She, too, knew Sarah! - -Presently they were surprised to hear her heavy footsteps coming -upstairs. They passed the door and entered Mrs. Bronson's room. Then, -in a moment, they returned, halted, and a singularly changed Sarah -stood in the doorway. - -"Yer father's goin' now, Miss Corinne, and he wants ye," she announced -in a strangely meek, quiet voice. "I'll be back in two minutes to fix -me child for the night. We got to get her in good shape before she -takes that rampagin' ship for Bermudy!" - -That was all, but she actually _smiled_—a weak, apologetic little -smile—before she vanished from the doorway! - -The girls stared at each other in complete bewilderment. Never had they -witnessed a change more astonishing. - -"Well, doesn't that beat everything!" exclaimed Margaret. "What could -have happened to Sarah?" - -"I don't know," answered Corinne, "except that Father's had a talk with -her. He told me, coming over, that your mother had called him up to-day -on the telephone, explained some of the trouble, and asked him to call -to-night. He said he himself was going to have an interview with Sarah, -and I told him it probably wouldn't do any good. But he said he had -something that he thought would convince her ladyship pretty speedily. -But he also said I was _not_ to ask him what it was! Some time he might -tell me, but not at present. Isn't that mysterious! I really didn't -think he'd succeed. He evidently has! Hurrah!" - -"But what _can_ he have said to Sarah that would make her change around -so!" marveled Margaret. - -"I'm sure I can't imagine!" cried Corinne. "But never you mind, honey -dear! A week from next Friday we step off on the island that was -Alison's home! And nothing else matters!" - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII - -TWO SURPRISES - - -"It seems awfully queer to me," remarked Bess, sitting in the Charlton -Street parlor one afternoon in May, reading a recently received letter -with a foreign postmark, "that Margaret says absolutely nothing at all, -lately, about whether they've done any work in hunting up clues to the -sapphire signet mystery!" - -"Neither does Corinne," added Jess, looking over a similarly marked -letter that she held. "They've neither one mentioned the subject -since they sent up that snap-shot of the Tobacco Rocks some weeks -ago. Corinne said then that they'd driven to see them one day, and -she had 'snapped' them for our special benefit, because Alexander had -discovered that it was from there the stolen gunpowder was shipped. I -don't think they had much, if anything, to do with _our_ affair, so I -wasn't so much interested in them. I never felt at all convinced that -those two happenings had any connection whatever." - -"Nor I, either!" agreed Bess. "I wonder whether they _have_ looked up -anything about Alison, or whether they've been having such a good time -that they've forgotten it completely! My! but I envy them! Here we are -in this mussy, foggy, chilly, wretched city,—grubbing along at high, -without even time to have a game of basket-ball, lately! And listen to -what Margaret says of their surroundings: - -"'You never saw such blue, blue water in your life! And the weather's -so warm that Corinne and her father have been in bathing several times! -I never saw any one _swim_ before! Corinne swims beautifully! It is -so lovely in this place that I'm sure Heaven couldn't be any more -beautiful. I begin to feel so much stronger! I'm out every day and all -of the day! Isn't that wonderful—for me! Mr. Cameron says he feels -like a new being, too. We are going to stay two weeks longer, because -it's doing us all so much good.'" - -"Bless her heart!" cried Jess. "I'm just the gladdest girl that ever -was because she could go and is getting on so well. Do you know, I -believe she'd have died pretty soon if she'd kept on as she was the -last of the winter! I felt perfectly certain then, that she wasn't -going to live, though I never told a soul! I was absolutely in despair -about her!" - -"Same here!" echoed Bess. "I was going through some mental tortures, -too, but I wasn't bothering any one else with them! Corinne and her -father just saved Margaret's life, _I_ believe. But here's something -queer in her letter! I just came to it. She ends by saying: - -"'We have _two surprises_ for you, but you are not to know a thing -about them till we get home! Oh, I can just see you _wiggling_ with -impatience to know what they are! But it's useless for you to beg; not -a word will we whisper till we land in America!' - -"Now _what_ do you make of that?" demanded the bewildered Bess. - - -The day came at last, when the travelers were expected to land once -more on their native shores. To the twins it had seemed an interminable -age—the more so since the intended absence of a month had lengthened -itself to ten long weeks. It had taken longer to restore Mr. Cameron's -health than he had imagined, and, besides, Margaret had improved so -perceptibly that they decided to stretch the time of the trip to the -limit. - -They had sailed away on a stormy day in March. They were expected back -on the rarest kind of a day in June, and the entire Charlton Street -household was assembled at the pier to meet the incoming steamer. This -had been the request of Mr. Cameron himself, who had written to Mrs. -Bronson that, for a sufficient reason, he wished every one of them to -be there, including Sarah. - -It was four o'clock on a golden afternoon when the _Bermudian_ came -steaming slowly up the river, picking her stately course among the -heavy ferry-boats and darting tugs that blocked the way. Alexander, -from a perilous perch on one end of the pier, announced its coming -with a whooping and a waving of his cap, at which Sarah muttered awful -remarks, sounding like "Let him drown if he falls over—the young -spalpeen!" With beating hearts they scanned the decks as the vessel -drew close to the side, and the twins quickly picked out Corinne and -her father waving from the side. But of Margaret they could discern not -a sign, and an awful dread seized them that she must be too ill to be -with the others. - -By a special permit, obtained through Mr. Cameron, they had been -admitted within the custom-house lines to the very gangway entrance -itself. After maddening delays the vessel was at last made fast, the -gangways adjusted, and the throngs began to come ashore. It was toward -the last that the ones they were waiting for so anxiously appeared at -the top, and then it was only Corinne and her father and aunt who came -down. - -"But, oh! where is _Margaret_?" cried Bess, as Corinne rushed to -embrace her. "Why isn't she with you?" - -"Oh, she'll be along in a minute!" announced Corinne, unconcernedly. -Then suddenly she turned, and said quietly: - -"Look!" - -They turned at her command, and glanced upward expecting to see their -sister in her usual wheel-chair. Instead, there at the top of the -gangway—_stood_ Margaret, rosy, plump, and browned by the sun! And -under her arms were a pair of _crutches_! When she saw her own family -below, she blew them a kiss, adjusted her crutches, and proceeded down -the gangway alone, haltingly, it is true, but refusing the assistance -of the anxious steward who hovered behind her! - -To the members of her family, who never in all their lives had beheld -her on her feet, the sight was almost overwhelming. The twins and their -mother were actually too stunned to speak, and Alexander relieved -himself only by a low-muttered, "_Can_ you beat it!"—his favorite -expression of surprise. But it was Sarah who did the most astonishing -thing. She tore up the gangway, snatched Margaret when she was but -half-way down, and bore her back, crutches and all, to the group below, -crying: - -"Me little darlint! It's true! It's true! I didn't believe it!" - - -The Charlton Street house was a scene that night of such festivity and -rejoicing as it had probably never known before in all its history. -Corinne and her father and aunt had accompanied the Bronsons home, and -stayed to a feast that Sarah had evolved in some sudden and mysterious -manner, for she had been away from the house all of the afternoon. But -Sarah was an adept at such bits of necromancy. Then, when the older -folks were still talking hard and fast, the five young people drew -apart by themselves, and Jess said: - -"Now, for goodness' sake, explain the whole business again! My brain is -so bewildered I can't seem to understand it all yet!" - -It was Corinne who tried to straighten out the tangle. She told how, -before they started on their trip, her father had suddenly become -possessed with the idea that perhaps something could be done to help -Margaret's trouble if only the right physician could be found. It -happened that he was personally acquainted with a doctor famous for -his success in this very kind of case and who also usually spent a -few weeks at that season of the year in Bermuda. If Margaret could -be helped by any one in the world, Mr. Cameron felt sure it would be -by this surgeon. So he privately made up his mind that the famous -specialist should be consulted as soon as they got there. But of this -he said not a word to any one, lest it should only be a cause of -disappointment in case no good was accomplished. - -Corinne laughed, however, when she said there was one exception to -this. On the night when Sarah had issued her awful ultimatum, Mr. -Cameron made up his mind that the only way to influence her was to tell -her, privately, his hopes for Margaret. This he did, and it had the -remarkable effect that had so bewildered them. This, also, was the -reason why Sarah seemed the least surprised and had said such strange -things that day at the pier. - -The doctor had been consulted soon after they reached Bermuda and when -Margaret had grown a little stronger. His verdict was that with a -certain kind of treatment there was a slight hope that she might some -day recover the use of her limbs. This treatment she had had during the -whole of their stay, with the wonderful result that, two weeks before -their return, Margaret took her first steps with the crutches. The -specialist himself was returning to New York shortly and would continue -his work with her. He was now almost positive that she might, in the -course of time, even discard her crutches and walk alone, on her two -feet, unassisted, like the rest of ordinary humanity. It was a treat to -watch the beaming happiness on Margaret's face while Corinne rehearsed -this tale. It spoke more eloquently than any words she could have -uttered. - -"Well, that's your big surprise!" sighed Bess, contentedly. "And it -certainly is a monster one! Now what's the other? You know you wrote -that there were two!" - -"The other's almost as big!" exclaimed Margaret, her eyes snapping with -eagerness. "We've found out the _whole_ history of Alison, and solved -every bit of the mystery!" - -"_No!_" cried three of the listeners in astonishment. "Honestly? Tell -us—right away! We thought you'd forgotten all about it!" - -"No," said Margaret, "I'm not going to tell you just now. To-morrow -we'll have a big old meeting of the Antiquarian Club, and we'll give -the entire account then! Not a minute before!" - -"But did you find the owner of the sapphire signet?" they clamored. - -And to this, also, the provoking Margaret would only lay her finger on -her lips, and smile, and murmur, "_To-morrow!_" - - - - -CHAPTER XIX - -THE MISSING LINKS - - -"So you thought that because we were having such a good time in -Bermuda, we had forgotten all about the mystery!" laughed Margaret, the -next afternoon, at the grand assembly of the Antiquarian Club. They -were all gathered in the Charlton Street parlor—all but Mr. Cameron. -He had, indeed, fully expected to be present, not intending to go to -his office till the following day. But unexpected business had called -him there, after all, so he could only send his hearty regrets to the -meeting of the club. It seemed like old times for the young folks to be -together again in this familiar room. The only wonderful difference was -in Margaret. No longer was she ensconced in her accustomed wheel-chair, -but in a big "comfy" armchair, with her cherished crutches leaning -against its arm. No longer did she seem a wan, frail, delicate little -invalid, but a brown, rosy, plump, and increasingly energetic young -person. But the sweetness of her smile and the shy, trusting expression -of her big gray eyes had not changed. - -"Yes, I know you all must have thought we'd forgotten it," she went on; -"but we hadn't—not for a minute! Only, for several weeks, we didn't -seem to make any progress with it at all. We used to inquire of every -native Bermudian we met if he or she had ever heard of any one living -there by the name of Trenham; but no one seemed to have any ideas at -all about it. They'd say they hadn't heard of the name themselves, but -would always refer you to some one else, who would turn out to know as -little as they did! It was awfully discouraging! Finally, Mr. Cameron -suggested that the only way would probably be to go around to all the -different parish churches and consult the old parish registers for -the lists of births and marriages and deaths. He thought the name had -probably died out long ago, and perhaps no relatives or descendants -remained, or were even remembered. - -"Well, this seemed a big piece of work, of course, and none of us -felt quite like attempting it just then, for Mr. Cameron wasn't yet -a bit well himself, and I was having treatments every day with the -big doctor in Hamilton. So we decided to put it off for a while. And -then—meantime—a very unexpected thing happened! - -"You know, we were staying at a big hotel about four miles from -Hamilton, near Harrington Sound. Mr. Cameron likes it there because -it's out of the city, well away from everything distracting, like -the things going on in Hamilton. Part of this hotel is big and new, -but another section, where the dining-room is, has been standing for -over two hundred years. You can see how old it is by its very looks, -and we heard that it was really the old homestead of the proprietor's -ancestors. - -"The housekeeper is a dear, kindly lady, and we got rather well -acquainted with her, because often we had to ask her for different -and rather unusual things for me. She was just lovely to me, always, -and after a while we had some long, interesting talks with her about -Bermuda and the different families living there. And once she took us -up to her own apartments, in the old part of the house, and showed us -a collection of the most wonderful old furniture and antiques that had -been in her own and her husband's families since way, way back. Corinne -and her father went just wild over them, for you know how they love -antiques! - -"Well, one day we thought we'd ask _her_ if she'd ever heard of any one -on the island by the name of Trenham. She said no, she hadn't, but, if -we were interested to find out, she'd take us over to the South Shore -to see a very old lady there who knew lots and lots about Bermuda -history and former people. She said she was driving to Hamilton that -morning on some business, but would first take us over to the Jewell -Farm, introduce us to old Mrs. Jewell, go on to Hamilton, and come -back to get us later. She declared that the old lady would be delighted -to have us come, because she was blind now and had very little to -entertain her, and she loved to talk to people. - -"This seemed too good a chance to lose, and Corinne and I accepted at -once. Mr. Cameron had gone off on a fishing-trip, so he couldn't be -included. We piled into the big, comfy carriage, and you ought to see -that great, strapping driver lift me in and out and carry me around! -Well, we got to the Jewell Farm over on the South Shore, and, oh, -folks! how I wish you could all see that place! It's simply the most -charming old house—two hundred and fifty years old!—set high on a -hill overlooking that marvelous blue ocean, with a garden all around -it that is like the things you dream about! We took some pictures of -the house and garden which I'll show you later, but they don't do it -anything like justice. You can only get a faint idea of its _real_ -beauty! - -"And the whole house, inside, was filled with the dearest old-time -furniture! It nearly set Corinne crazy! But never mind about all that -now—we must come to the _best_ part! The driver carried me in, and we -were introduced to the sweetest old lady you ever saw! She was nearly -ninety-five, with snow-white hair; and a dainty lace cap over it. Her -eyes were pretty and blue, and you'd hardly guess, to look at her, -that she couldn't see a thing. If she'd known us all her life, she -couldn't have received us more cordially, or seemed less surprised to -have complete strangers landed on her without any warning. She made us -feel at home and acquainted right away, and after a few moments the -housekeeper left us alone with her and went on to Hamilton. - -"We didn't like to introduce the subject we were most interested in -right away, so we chatted with her about her lovely old home, and the -furniture in it, and its history. After a while, though, when we could -bring it in naturally, we asked her if she had ever known any one by -the name of Trenham in Bermuda. She gave the most curious little -start, but only said very quietly: - -"'I would like to know why you ask? Whom do you know of that name?' -Well, Corinne and I looked at each other and I saw we were agreed that -it was time to make a bold move, so I said right out that we were very -much interested in some one who lived in Bermuda a long while ago and -whose name was Alison Trenham. - -"Folks, if I live to be a hundred, I'll never forget the strange -expression that came over that old lady's face when I spoke that name! -For a minute or two she didn't answer—just sat quietly thinking. Then -at last she said, still very quietly: - -"'Yes, I know the name! I have heard of only one Alison Trenham in my -life, and that was—_my grandmother_!'" - -There was a gasp and a start from her listeners, and Margaret laughed -as she continued: - -"You'd just better believe _we_ jumped, too! And I thought Corinne's -eyes would pop out of her head—she looked so startled! I just -couldn't help smiling to myself at her expression, though I was so deep -in other things. Then I said: - -"'Well, Mrs. Jewell, since you _do_ know an Alison Trenham, and she -was your own grandmother, I guess we'd just better tell you our whole -story. For the two Alisons _may_ turn out to be the same!' Then, as -quickly as I could, I told her all about finding the trunk and the -journal, and our Antiquarian Club, and all the discoveries we made -afterward, and how we'd come to a snag and could get no further. I even -told her how Sarah had burned the original journal. But I didn't say a -word about the sapphire signet—just then. I wish you could have seen -the expression on her face all the time I was talking! It was as though -she were listening to a story so strange that she couldn't believe a -word of it! I ended by begging her, please, if she could throw the -least light on our mystery, to oblige us by doing so, as it was the -chief aim of our Antiquarian Club to find the key to the riddle! - -"She was silent a long time after I had finished—so long that we were -beginning to think she must have fallen asleep, for she had covered her -eyes with her hand, and was leaning her elbow on the arm of the chair. -But suddenly she spoke, saying very low: - -"'All this seems like a dream to me! You children have stumbled upon -a secret that I supposed no mortal would ever discover in this world! -The ways of chance are very mysterious! Yes, it is the same Alison; -and since you know so much, I am going to tell you the rest of the -story, though she made me solemnly promise, when I was a young girl, -that I would never tell a soul. That is why I was hesitating. But I -feel certain that, were she to know these circumstances, she would have -no real objection to your knowing the whole story. It can harm no one -now—least of all herself! - -"'As I told you, she was my grandmother. I was born in 1820, and she -was then a woman sixty years old. My own mother and father died in my -infancy, and left me to her care. This was her home, this same old -farm, and I came here to live with her. We are a long-lived race, here -in Bermuda, and she lived on to be almost ninety-five, as I myself am -doing! A few years before she died she told me that she had something -on her conscience that she would like to tell me, because she felt -that she would die happier, knowing that she had not kept the secret -unconfessed to the end. She made me promise I would never disclose -it, as some of it had once been of political consequence, and she had -always feared its discovery.' - -"And now, folks, I'm going to tell you the story of Alison in my own -words, because I can't remember all of hers!" ended Margaret. Then she -re-settled herself in her big chair and began anew, very much flattered -by the breathless attention of her auditors. - -[Illustration: "For a minute or two she didn't answer"] - -"Alison Trenham lived on this same old farm with her grandfather, -Archibald Trenham. Her parents had both been lost at sea when she was -little, and that's why she was living with him. He was a queer, crabby -sort of an old man, and had never loved Alison because he was so -disappointed she hadn't been a boy. She was a big, beautiful-looking, -athletic girl, and he had had her taught to ride, and swim, and sail -a boat, and do most of the things boys generally do, besides learning -to read and write and some Latin and French. It was his whim that she -should be educated like a boy, even if she wasn't one. - -"But she was restless and discontented and headstrong, and hated her -life there with her grandfather, and wanted the worst way to go away -from Bermuda altogether and see some of the world. She had an aunt, a -Madame Pennington, living down at Flatts (that's right where our hotel -was), and a cousin Betty, and she was very fond of them both. The aunt -was like a mother to her, and spoiled her a lot. Well, Alison confided -to her aunt that she wanted to go away from Bermuda, but that her -grandfather wouldn't hear of it. And she said she was so crazy to go -that sometime she was going to run away! - -"The aunt was very much shocked, but finally Alison begged her so hard -that she consented to write to a friend of hers in New York, a Madame -Mortier, and get her to invite Alison up there for a long visit. Madame -Mortier wrote back that she would be delighted to have Alison come, -especially as her husband had just lately died and she was very lonely. -So that much was arranged, and Alison was delighted. But the difficulty -was to get away from Bermuda without her grandfather knowing, for -he would never have consented. Alison discovered a way out of this -herself, and here comes the exciting part! Alexander, you were _right_, -after all, as you'll see in a moment!" - -"Oh, your Uncle Dudley's right sometimes," grumbled that irrepressible -youngster, trying to conceal his satisfaction. - -"Now, to go on. One day Alison happened to meet, quite unexpectedly, a -neighbor of theirs, a young fellow named Harrington Ord—" - -"_'H'!_" shouted the listening ones, simultaneously. - -"Yes, you're right! that was 'H'! He had been away on a cruise with -his uncle, George Ord, in his uncle's ship, the _Lady_. Harrington -said they had only touched at St. George's for a day or so to take on -a cargo of salt, and would then be off again for America. Then Alison -saw her chance. She begged Harrington to ask his uncle if she might be -taken aboard to go with them without letting her grandfather know. She -knew the uncle and her grandfather had some standing quarrel between -them, and that George Ord would not be sorry to do anything to get -the best of the old man. Harrington hesitated about it, then finally -confided to her the news that his uncle was engaged in a strange plot—" - -"The gunpowder!" exclaimed the audience. - -"Yes, the very thing! Alexander was exactly right in his guess! George -Ord was planning to steal the gunpowder the very next night, and all -the details were arranged except one thing, and that was puzzling them -all dreadfully. It was this: the governor slept with the keys of the -magazine under his pillow, and how to get at them without disturbing -him, nobody could think. Some one had suggested putting a heavy -sleeping-powder in his food, but that was all but impossible, as no -one knew any of his servants or could get into his kitchen. Harrington -had the powder in his pocket, and, at his wits' end, he showed it to -Alison. She had an idea right away. She told him to give it to her, and -she would see that it got to its proper destination all right, if, in -return, his uncle would take her secretly to America. - -"He declared that his uncle would be only too delighted to reward her -in that way, and everything was arranged. She was to go next day to her -aunt's as if for a week's visit. That same afternoon she would take a -little cat-boat and sail by herself up to St. George's, and be taken -aboard the _Lady_ at sundown, as she was setting sail, and when no one -was observing. But first she intended to stop at the governor's mansion -and make a call on his niece, whom she knew rather well. - -"Everything went off like clockwork! Her grandfather suspected nothing. -She got to her aunt's and bade her good-by, sailed up to St. George's -in her little dinghy, called on the governor's niece, and, before she -left, went down to the kitchen to see the colored cook Dinah, who was -a sister of her grandfather's cook and was rather fond of Alison. -She found, just as she had expected, that Dinah was preparing the -governor's little afternoon snack of cake and a glass of wine. When -Dinah wasn't looking, she quietly dropped the powder in the wine, and -the game was won! Later, as she went out, she saw him drinking it. - -"Well, the governor slept like a log that night, and you all know how -successful the rest of the scheme was! Captain Ord was so grateful to -Alison that he couldn't do enough for her. He landed in New York, and -Harrington escorted her to Richmond Hill, the home of Madame Mortier. -The old song, 'The Lass of Richmond Hill,' was very popular just -then, and Harrington kept teasing Alison by whistling and singing it -constantly, and saying _she_ was now that 'lass'! - -"Madame Mortier was lovely to her at first, and seemed delighted to -have her there. But Alison didn't have a very lively time, because -Madame Mortier lived a very secluded and quiet life, and her house was -way off from the city, and she never went anywhere. And Alison found -out, too, that she was a strict Tory, and hated Washington and the -rebels, and felt very bitter about the war that was just commencing. -Now, Alison had heard a lot about Washington from Captain Ord and -Harrington, who both admired him terrifically, and she herself had -begun to feel a great respect for the rebel leader. But when she spoke -in praise of him, one day, Madame Mortier just 'jumped on her,' as -Alexander would say, and almost went crazy denouncing him. - -"Well, by and by Alison began to feel dreadfully lonely and homesick, -and just longed to go back to Bermuda, and wished she'd never come -away! But getting back was more difficult than coming to New York. She -didn't like to tell Madame Mortier she was tired of her and wanted -to leave, for she had been invited to stay a year, at least, as a -companion to the old lady. Then something happened that changed the -whole face of affairs for her—two things, in fact! - -"A sailor from Captain Ord's ship turned traitor some months after the -gunpowder affair, and in Corbie's tavern let it all out and told how -Alison had been mixed up in the plot,—or at least, that he suspected -she was, for he didn't actually know about her drugging the governor. -This got round to the steward, whom we all know about, and finally was -hinted at by him to Madame Mortier. She began to treat poor Alison very -coldly and suspiciously, without, however, telling her the real reason. -She evidently thought Alison was some kind of a spy! And Alison never -guessed the reason till Harrington gave her the hint that night under -her window. - -"Anyhow, that was when she first began to feel uneasy, and as if things -had changed in the house and she was not altogether safe there. But -the climax came when one stormy winter day she and Madame Mortier were -driving home along Greenwich road and saw ahead of them a coach whose -wheel had come off and whose horses were snorting and kicking with -fright. The driver could seem to do nothing with them. Alison got out, -rushed to the horses, and held them steady till they quieted down. She -knew horses well and just how to treat them. Then, while the wheel was -being adjusted, she spoke to the occupant of the coach, who proved to -be none other than Lady Washington! - -"She was traveling through the city on her way from Virginia to -her husband's camp outside Boston when the accident happened. She -congratulated Alison on her skill with horses, and asked her about -herself. Alison was just beginning to tell her about Bermuda and how -she longed to go back, when Madame Mortier, who had just learned about -the occupant of the broken coach, rushed up and dragged her bodily -away! And then things got worse and worse! - -"Now, there's no need of telling you all that happened after that -because we know it; so I'll skip at once to the night of that last -entry in the journal, and explain how it came to be so mysteriously -broken off. While Alison was sitting there writing, she suddenly heard -again the mysterious footsteps, just as she had that time before. She -was horribly nervous, but she suspected something wrong and crept -to the door and opened it to peep out. And there, sure enough, was -the steward, come back from Corbie's tavern, and evidently going -down to the cellar again! Alison was scared to death, but, almost -unconsciously, she found herself creeping after him, her journal still -in her hand. - -"Suddenly on the stairs something made him turn—and he saw her! Before -she could cry out he made one leap and clapped his hand over her mouth. -Then with the other he tried to get hold of the journal. She began to -struggle and twist, and try to keep it away from him, and he whispered -that if she made a sound he would kill her right there! Still she kept -struggling, but at last he got hold of it and gave it a wrench. Of -course it came in half, and at the same moment she got free from him -and ran like mad to her own room and locked herself in. - -"She hid the half of the journal she had kept hold of in the bottom of -her trunk, and stayed for hours shivering with fright and listening at -the door. Then, at last, not hearing anything more, she crept out, and -rushed to Phœbe's room, and told her all about it. They decided that -it was best to wait no longer, but tell the whole thing to Washington -at early dawn, and let him take matters into his own hands. They had -the interview, and Washington acted on the matter at once. He got his -life-guard, Thomas Hickey, made him confess the whole thing, and then -sent out and had every one of the conspirators arrested. Strangely -enough, the steward was nowhere to be found. He had disappeared -completely, and was never seen or heard of again. He had probably -thought it wise to take flight in the night. Alison always thought, -too, that he was intending to run away when he did, anyhow, without -warning any one, because he had appropriated a lot of the gold and -money that was to be used in paying the conspirators. That was what he -had kept hidden in the beam, and he had removed it all that very night, -preparatory to making off with it. - -"Early that morning, Washington sent Phœbe back to the city to stay with -her father, as she would be safer there. And as he thought the house no -longer a safe place for his wife, either, he arranged to despatch her at -once with a strong escort to Philadelphia. Alison had told him her own -story, explained how she aided in the gunpowder plot, and begged him to -send her back to Bermuda if he could. He was so grateful to her for the -assistance which she had twice given that he told her he would send her -to Philadelphia with Lady Washington, and there would arrange that she -should sail for her home as soon as was possible. - -"So Alison packed her little trunk, and without even bidding Madame -Mortier good-by (for of course she didn't dare see her) she left that -morning with Lady Washington, and never again in all her life looked -upon Richmond Hill. In Philadelphia she was fortunate enough to catch a -vessel sailing at once for Bermuda, but before she got to her home one -other accident was to happen to her. The ship ran into a terrific storm -and was completely dismasted. It almost foundered, but, after drifting -around helplessly for more than a week, the passengers and crew were at -last rescued by another vessel, leaving all their belongings behind on -the wreck, and finally were landed in Bermuda. - -"She went straight to her aunt first, for she did not dare go to her -grandfather, thinking he had never forgiven her for running away. But -her aunt told her that her grandfather, though terribly angry with her -at first, was now very, very ill, and kept constantly calling for her. -So she returned to him and was forgiven, and nursed him tenderly till -he died, leaving her the fine old farm. A few years later she married -Harrington Ord, for he had always admired and loved her. He died, in -later years, by falling from the mast of the vessel of which he was -captain, and Alison was left alone with one daughter, who also married, -after a time, and it was _her_ daughter, old Mrs. Jewell, who told us -the story. Alison lived all her life in secret terror lest her part in -the gunpowder plot should ever be discovered by the Bermudians, for she -felt that she had been disloyal to her country in the part she played. -Yet she never wholly regretted it, because of the intense admiration -she always felt for Washington, and her gratitude to him for his timely -rescue of her. Madame Mortier died soon after her departure, and never -knew about the defeat of her beloved Tories. - -"So that is the end of the story, folks, and I guess I've explained -everything!" - -"No, you haven't!" said Alexander promptly. "What about that half of -the diary that we found in the beam! Put us wise to that!" - -"Well, of course, that's one of the things we can't be absolutely -certain about, but can only guess at. The steward had gone off with -that half, and Alison never saw it again. She always wondered what -became of it. We think, though, that the steward must have come back -that night looking for the slip of paper that he had forgotten or lost. -He evidently thought it might be left in his hiding-place, and was on -the way to hunt it up. Then he had the encounter with Alison, and got -hold of that half of her diary. He must have taken it to the cellar, -examined it hurriedly, written on it that mysterious sentence, and -thrown it into the opening where he hid his things. Probably he looked -for his paper, and, not finding it, thought he'd dropped it elsewhere. -We think likely he didn't suspect that any one had discovered the place -in the beam. That's the only explanation that seems possible." - -"Yes," objected Alexander, still unconvinced, "but how came it to -remain there all that time untouched? Didn't they go and search the -beam afterward? Didn't any one else ever know about it?" - -"No, it seems that Phœbe and Alison, in their hurry that morning, did -not think to tell Washington where they had found the paper. They -didn't have time—everything had to be done so quickly. They just gave -it to him and told who the conspirators were. Then Phœbe was sent -right off, and Alison went away, too, and, of course, nobody else ever -knew about it or suspected it. So it lay through all the years till -Alexander unearthed it! Isn't it too wonderful!" - -"Then that gink of a steward must have beat it out for keeps!" -commented Alexander. "Guess he didn't think it'd be healthy for him to -shine about those parts again, after he'd got away with all the swag! -He was _some_ pippin, he was!" - -"Well," ended Margaret, "now you know all the mystery and the history -of Alison Trenham, and I hope you're satisfied!" - -"_Satisfied!_" ejaculated Bess, sitting up very straight. "When you -haven't said one word about the _sapphire signet_—the most important -thing of all? I guess _not_!" - -"I was wondering when you'd begin to be curious about that," commented -Margaret, with her tantalizing smile. "Since you seem a little anxious -on the subject, I'll go on with the second half of the story. Well, as -I've hinted, we didn't say a word about the signet to the old lady, -and she didn't mention it in her account either. But when she had -finished, Corinne asked her if there was anything else she knew of that -had troubled Alison's mind—whether she'd ever heard her grandmother -speak of something she'd lost. And at that Mrs. Jewell looked awfully -surprised, and said no, her grandmother had never spoken of anything -else, and what did we mean? - -"Then we told her all about the signet, and how we'd found it, and how -valuable it was, and how we wanted above everything to return it to -Alison's descendant, and were so glad we'd found her at last. Well, if -you'll believe me, Mrs. Jewell looked simply stunned for a while, as if -she couldn't trust her senses! And we had the hardest time convincing -her that the signet was really hers and she must take it. She insisted -it ought to be ours, since we had found it. But finally we managed to -convince her that she was its rightful owner, and told her that Mr. -Cameron would get it from the safe at the hotel and bring it over to -her the next day." - -"But why do you suppose Alison never told her about it?" interrupted -Jess. - -"That's just what we all couldn't fathom for a while, till at last Mrs. -Jewell explained it in this way. Of course, when Alison was shipwrecked -and rescued, she naturally supposed her trunk went down to the bottom -of the ocean with the wreck. She told her grandmother that they had had -to cling to the decks for several days, and never dared to go down to -the cabins, for most of them were full of water. So she couldn't get at -her trunk to take out anything. We think that when she realized that -the signet was lost forever, and after her grandfather had forgiven her -for everything (including that, no doubt), she just forgot all about -the matter and either didn't think of it again, or else didn't want -to. What troubled her most was the fear that the second half of her -journal would sometime be discovered and deciphered, and she, perhaps, -be considered a traitor for twice giving aid to Washington. - -"But now listen to the best part of the story, which comes last! We had -asked Mrs. Jewell to say nothing just yet about what we'd told her, and -when the housekeeper came back for us, the old lady bade us good-by as -calmly as though we hadn't just given her the surprise of her life. -But on the drive to the hotel we asked a few questions about her and -found out, to our astonishment, that old Mrs. Jewell was really in -very straitened circumstances. For years she had supported herself by -doing the most beautiful lacework, and had earned enough to live on. -But since her blindness came, her money had gradually disappeared, and -she had had to borrow on the farm and the lovely old furniture. The -housekeeper said she was afraid it wouldn't be long before she would -lose everything. Every one was so sorry for her and wanted to help, but -she was very proud and would accept nothing from them. No one could -imagine what she would do when she was homeless. - -"It set us thinking hard, of course, and we told Mr. Cameron about -it that night. He only said we must leave it to him, and he'd think -out a scheme. Next day we three drove over there with the signet, and -placed it in old Mrs. Jewell's hands. And right then and there Mr. -Cameron told her that, if she cared to sell it to him, he'd be only -too delighted to buy it. And he offered her enough to keep her living -comfortably for the rest of her days. - -"You should have seen that poor old lady's face! She begged and -protested that he should not give so much, that she could not accept -it. But he assured her that he knew positively it was the real value of -the signet, and to prove it, read her a letter he'd received from some -authority in such things. She gave in at last, and we left her with -that big, fat check in her hands—the happiest woman in all Bermuda!" - -"But what has become of the sapphire signet?" demanded her listeners, -as Margaret paused. - -"Here it is!" said Corinne, quietly, and she pulled from under the -neck of her dress a thin golden chain. There on the end dangled the -wonderful sapphire signet, more beautiful than ever since it had been -cleaned and polished. - -"Father has given it to me, and I'm going to keep it always, in memory -of the long-ago Alison and the strange way we stumbled on her mystery. -I shall not wear it all the time, for it's too rare and valuable to -run the risk of losing. But I put it on to-day in honor of the most -satisfactory meeting the Antiquarian Club ever held!" - - -It was about noon of a day a week or two later that Corinne and -Margaret stood together at the open window of the Charlton Street -parlor. A light breeze flapped the awnings to and fro, a warm midday -sun shone on the pavements outside, and the droning sound of busy -Varick Street came distantly to them as they stood looking out. The -twins were still at high school, but Corinne had not returned there, -as she was expecting to study up during the summer and in the autumn -pass the examinations she was now missing. So, during these idle days, -she spent the greater part of her time with Margaret. Since their long -Bermuda weeks together, they had grown into even closer intimacy, and -sisters could not have loved each other with deeper devotion. - -Leaning on her crutches, Margaret idly plucked the dead leaves from -a geranium in the window-box, and Corinne stood twisting one of the -younger girl's dark curls around her finger. Presently she said: - -"Father had a letter from old Mrs. Jewell this morning. She says words -would be impossible to describe how happy she is. She thinks it just -marvelous that we girls were led to do what we did, for she was in -desperate straits when we first came. She declares she would never have -accepted it as a charity, but it was really help from her own dead -kindred sent through us. She considers it an absolute _miracle_!" - -"Isn't it strange!" began Margaret. "That's the exact word Mother used -last night when we were talking it over. She said it all seemed like a -miracle to her—the way you came into our lives, and walked straight to -the heart of the mystery that very first day; the way we worked it all -out and restored what was her own to Alison's granddaughter just in the -nick of time; and best of all, what's happened to me!" - -"Well, I wasn't left out in the miracle way, either," laughed Corinne; -"for I've had the loveliest adventure imaginable, and made the very -dearest friend of all my life!" She squeezed Margaret's hand, and the -two girls looked for one long, understanding moment into each other's -eyes. After a quiet interval Corinne spoke again: - -"Margaret, there's something I never told you! No one but Father knows -it. But I'm going to tell you now. Do you know what I plan to be when I -am older?" - -Margaret looked up at her in quick interest, and said: "No! Tell me!" - -"Well, it's my ambition to be a writer. Father says I have some gift in -that direction, and I am constantly practising at it. But, after I've -learned how and can really write what people might like to read, the -first story I'm going to tell is the one about Alison Trenham and the -wonderful way she helped to rescue Washington at the time he was in -such danger!" - -"Oh, that's perfectly splendid!" cried Margaret. "I wish I could do -something like that, but I'm afraid it isn't in me. Shall I tell you -_my_ chief ambition, Corinne? I want to get so strong that I can join a -basket-ball team—and beat the twins at it!" - -"Bless your heart, Honey!" exclaimed Corinne, "you're going to be the -_captain_ of that team, I'll be willing to wager!" - -Just at that moment Alexander came swinging down the street on his -way home to luncheon, whistling the tune that had come to be such a -momentous one in their lives. Margaret smiled as she heard it, and -suddenly turned to her friend: - -"Corinne, I want you to promise me something! When you come to write -the story of Alison, I want you to call it 'The Lass of Richmond Hill'! -I think that would be the most appropriate title for it. Will you?" - -Corinne thought it over a moment, then she said, slowly: "Yes, I think -you 're right! I promise to call it—'The Lass of Richmond Hill'!" - - - THE END - - - - -Transcriber's Note - - Apparent typographical errors have been repaired. - - Pg. 78: ‗He‗ symbolizes a double-underline. - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's The Sapphire Signet, by Augusta Huiell Seaman - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SAPPHIRE SIGNET *** - -***** This file should be named 55964-0.txt or 55964-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/5/9/6/55964/ - -Produced by Larry B. 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- text-align: justify; - margin-bottom: .25em; - } - - table { - width: 100%; - max-width: 100%; - } - - .tdl { - padding-left: 1em; - text-indent: -1em; - padding-right: 0; - } - - .pagenum { - display: none; - page-break-before: avoid; - } - -} - - - -@media handheld - -{ - - body {margin: 0;} - - blockquote {margin: 1.5em 3% 1.5em 3%;} - - .transnote { - page-break-inside: avoid; - margin-left: 2%; - margin-right: 2%; - margin-top: 1em; - margin-bottom: 1em; - padding: .5em; - } - - .poem - { - display: block; - margin-left: 1.5em; - } - - p.drop:first-letter { - float: left; - clear: left - } - - .hideepub {visibility: hidden;} - -} - - </style> - -</head> - -<body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Sapphire Signet, by Augusta Huiell Seaman - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: The Sapphire Signet - -Author: Augusta Huiell Seaman - -Illustrator: C. M. Relyea - -Release Date: November 14, 2017 [EBook #55964] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SAPPHIRE SIGNET *** - - - - -Produced by Larry B. Harrison and The Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - - - - - - -</pre> - - - - - -<hr /> - -<div class="figcenter newpage hideepub"> - <img src="images/cover.jpg" alt="Cover" /> -</div> - - - - -<hr /> - -<p class="half-title bold in0">THE<br /> -SAPPHIRE SIGNET</p> - - - - -<hr /> - -<div class="figcenter newpage"><a id="frontis"></a> - <img src="images/i_frontis.jpg" alt="frontispiece" /> - <div class="caption"> - <span class="small">"I had the <i>worst</i> time puzzling this out!" she said</span> - </div> -</div> - - - - -<hr /> - -<h1>THE<br /> -SAPPHIRE SIGNET</h1> -<p class="in0 center bold">BY<br /> -<span class="large">AUGUSTA HUIELL SEAMAN</span><br /> -<span class="small">Author of "The Boarded-Up House," etc.</span><br /> -<span class="vspace"> </span><br /> -<span class="small">ILLUSTRATED BY<br /> -C. M. RELYEA</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter newpage"> - <img src="images/i_decor.jpg" alt="symbol" /> -</div> - -<p class="in0 center bold"><span class="large">NEW YORK<br /> -THE CENTURY CO.<br /> -1916</span></p> - - - - -<hr /> - -<p class="in0 bold center">Copyright, 1915, 1916, by<br /> -<span class="smcap">The Century Co.</span><br /> -<span class="vspace"> </span><br /> -<i>Published, September, 1916</i></p> - - - - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CONTENTS</h2> -</div> - -<table summary="Contents"> - <tr> - <td class="tdc"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span></td> - <td class="tdl"> </td> - <td class="tdr"><span class="small">PAGE</span></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc"><span class="small">I</span></td> - <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The House in Charlton Street</span></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_3">3</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc"><span class="small">II</span></td> - <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Something Turns Up</span></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_16">16</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc"><span class="small">III</span></td> - <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Discovery in the Attic</span></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_32">32</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc"><span class="small">IV</span></td> - <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">A Key to the Mystery</span></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_53">53</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc"><span class="small">V</span></td> - <td class="tdl">"<span class="smcap">The Lass of Richmond Hill</span>"</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_65">65</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc"><span class="small">VI</span></td> - <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">A Surprise</span></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_79">79</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc"><span class="small">VII</span></td> - <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Discoveries Corinne Made</span></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_91">91</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc"><span class="small">VIII</span></td> - <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Baffled!</span></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_102">102</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc"><span class="small">IX</span></td> - <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Introducing Alexander</span></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_114">114</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc"><span class="small">X</span></td> - <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Alexander Takes Hold</span></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_126">126</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc"><span class="small">XI</span></td> - <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Alexander Springs a Surprise</span></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_135">135</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc"><span class="small">XII</span></td> - <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Mystery Unravels Further</span></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_149">149</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc"><span class="small">XIII</span></td> - <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Alexander Engages in Some Historical Research</span></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_162">162</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc"><span class="small">XIV</span></td> - <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">A Belated Discovery and a Solemn Conclave</span></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_179">179</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc"><span class="small">XV</span></td> - <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Sarah Takes a Hand in the Game</span></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_192">192</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc"><span class="small">XVI</span></td> - <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Sapphire Signet</span></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_209">209</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc"><span class="small">XVII</span></td> - <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">In Which Sarah Changes Her Mind</span></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_228">228</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc"><span class="small">XVIII</span></td> - <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Two Surprises</span></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_245">245</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc"><span class="small">XIX</span></td> - <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Missing Links</span></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_255">255</a></td> - </tr> -</table> - - - - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> -</div> - -<table summary="Illustrations"> - <tr> - <td class="tdl"> </td> - <td class="tdr"><span class="small">PAGE</span></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">"I had the <i>worst</i> time puzzling this out!" she said</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#frontis"><i>Frontispiece</i></a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">"Corinne noticed that the bottom of the trunk seemed<br /> all wrong."</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_36">37</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">"He gazed hard at me as I stood on the lawn."</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_70">71</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">"Madame Mortier warned Alison that she wasn't to have<br /> any communication with the rebels."</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_108">109</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">"I poked around it, top, bottom, and sides."</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_142">143</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">"You must welcome the latest member of the Antiquarian<br /> Club, Miss President!"</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_204">205</a></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="tdl">He began to tap the inside of the trunk all over, carefully,<br /> with the handle of his penknife</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_222">223</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">"For a minute or two she didn't answer."</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_264">265</a></td> - </tr> -</table> - - - - -<hr /> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">3</a></span></p> - -<p class="half-title in0 bold">THE SAPPHIRE SIGNET</p> - - - - -<hr /> - -<p class="bold newpage center in0 p3b"><span class="xxlarge">THE SAPPHIRE SIGNET</span><br /> -OR<br /> -<span class="large">"THE LASS OF RICHMOND HILL"</span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER I<br /> -<span class="small">THE HOUSE IN CHARLTON STREET</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="drop"><span class="uppercase">It</span> was five o'clock and a very dull, dark afternoon -in Charlton Street. One by one -lights had twinkled out in all the little two-story-and-dormer-windowed -houses on the -block,—in all but one. The parlor windows of -this house were still unlit, but behind the -flower-box in one of them a hand could be seen -moving aside the white curtains at frequent -intervals and a dim face peering anxiously into -the dusk.</p> - -<p>At ten minutes past five precisely, two trim -girl-figures turned the corner of Varick Street, -hurried down the block, raced up the steps of -this same house, and waved frantically at the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">4</a></span> -dark windows. An answering wave saluted -them from between the parted curtains. At -the same moment lights twinkled out from the -windows, and a quick hand pulled down the -shades with a jerk, shutting out the dim street -for the night. But back of the drawn shades -a small figure in an invalid-chair held out welcoming -arms to the girls who had just entered.</p> - -<p>"My! How long you were! I thought -you'd never get here to-day. And it's been -so dark and dismal all the afternoon, too!" -The two girls, who were plainly twins, knelt -down, one on each side of the invalid-chair.</p> - -<p>"We <i>were</i> an age, I know, Margaret dear," -began Bess, "but there was a good reason. -It's quite exciting,—all about the new girl!"</p> - -<p>"Yes, you can never guess what, either!" -echoed Jess, winding one of Margaret's dark -curls around her finger.</p> - -<p>"Oh, tell me—quick!" The child's big, -beautiful gray eyes fairly sparkled with eagerness, -and a faint flush tinted her delicate face. -"Is it that queer girl you told me about, who -only came into the class a few days ago?"</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">5</a></span></p> - -<p>"That's the one,—but let's get our things -off first and see if Sarah made any cookies to-day. -We're starving!"</p> - -<p>A huge woman who had been moving about -the room lighting gas-jets, pulling down -shades, and straightening the furniture, now -broke into the conversation: "Ye kin save -yerselves the trouble! I ain't made no cookies -this day—an' me wid all that wash! What d' -ye think I be?"</p> - -<p>"Go 'long, Sarah!" laughed Bess. "You -know there's probably a whole jarful in the -pantry, and we don't care whether you made -them to-day or a week ago. They're always -dandy!"</p> - -<p>Sarah gave a chuckle that shook her huge -frame, and tucked a light shawl lovingly about -the knees of the girl in the chair.</p> - -<p>"Ye'll have a hard time findin' any!" she -warned, as the two ran off. "Won't they, -Margie, macushla?"</p> - -<p>In five minutes the twins were back, each -with a massive chunk of chocolate layer-cake -in her hand and a mouth full of the same.</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">6</a></span></p> - -<p>"You told the truth, Sarah, for once! -There weren't any cookies, but this is heaps -better!"</p> - -<p>"If ye get any crumbs on me floor," threatened -Sarah, ominously, "ye'll have no more -cake of any kind, the week out!" And she departed -downstairs in great (pretended) displeasure.</p> - -<p>"Now for it! Tell me right away," demanded -Margaret. "I'm <i>so</i> impatient to -hear!"</p> - -<p>"Well," began Bess, in muffled tones, struggling -to swallow a large mouthful of cake, "you -remember we told you about that nice girl who -came into our section three days ago, but who -seemed so offish and queer and quiet. She's -always staring out of the window, as if she were -dreaming. And when she isn't studying, -she's reading some book the whole time. And -she hardly ever talks to a soul. Jess and I -thought she must feel rather lonesome and -strange. You know it is rather hard to come -into the first year of High School more than a -month after everything's started, and every<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">7</a></span> -one else has got acquainted, and try to pick -up! I think one must feel so awfully out of it!</p> - -<p>"So Jess and I decided we'd ask her to eat -lunch with us to-day. She always eats by herself, -and yesterday she didn't eat at all,—just -read a book the whole time! I went up to her -at lunch-period and said—"</p> - -<p>"What's her name?" interrupted Margaret.</p> - -<p>"Corinne Cameron,—isn't it a dandy name? -Corinne! It has such a <i>distinguished</i> sound!—Well, -she was reading, as usual, and looked up -at me sort of dazed and far-away when I asked -her if she'd care to eat with us. But she -seemed very glad to do it and came right over. -We had a very interesting talk, and she asked -us right away to call her 'Corinne,' instead of -'Miss Cameron,' as they do in High School. -She said it made her feel about a hundred miles -away from every one to be called 'Miss.' So -of course we asked her to call us 'Elisabeth' -and 'Jessica.'"</p> - -<p>"But why didn't you tell her just 'Bess' -and 'Jess'?" interrupted Margaret again. -"That's so much more natural."</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">8</a></span></p> - -<p>"Well, you see, 'Corinne' sounds so sort of -distinguished and—and dignified! And somehow -our names don't. They just seem ordinary -and—and so like small children. And at -least 'Elisabeth' and 'Jessica' seem more—grown-up!"</p> - -<p>"What does she look like?" questioned Margaret, -going off on another tack.</p> - -<p>"Oh, she's, well, sort of distinguished-looking, -too—like her name. She's tall and slim -and has very dark brown wavy hair, and big, -dark eyes, almost black, and the prettiest -straight nose,—not a little <i>snub</i> like ours (I -don't mean yours, Margaret! <i>That's</i> all -right!). But she always acts as though her -thoughts were about a thousand miles away. -She talked about books mostly, and asked us -if we didn't just <i>love</i> to read. And when we -said no, not so awfully, she seemed so astonished. -I said we'd rather play basket-ball, -and she laughed and said we couldn't play that -<i>all</i> the time, and what did we do with our spare -moments. I told her we didn't have many, because, -at home here, we were always busy amusing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">9</a></span> -you or helping Sarah, when we weren't -studying.</p> - -<p>"Then she asked about you, Margaret, and -was <i>so</i> interested when we told her about your -poor back, and how you couldn't move around -much or go to school, but studied with us and -knew just as much as we did—and <i>more</i>, because -you read a great deal, too, even though -you are only thirteen and we're fifteen. And -she said:</p> - -<p>"'That's perfectly fine!' Well, we were -talking so hard that we scarcely noticed lunch-period -was over, and we hadn't said half that -we wanted to. She promised to eat with us -every day.</p> - -<p>"This afternoon we decided not to stay for -basket-ball in the gym, because Jess's finger -hurts so much where she cut it last night. So -we left at half-past two (which we hardly ever -do), and who should start to walk over our way -but Corinne, and she was delighted that we -could go part of the way together. She lives -in the Ten Eyck, that swell new apartment in -West Twelfth Street."</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">10</a></span></p> - -<p>"The Ten Eyck!" exclaimed Margaret, in a -tone of hushed awe. "Gracious! she must be -very wealthy, then!"</p> - -<p>"Wait till you hear!" murmured Jess, parenthetically, -and Bess went on:</p> - -<p>"She told us they'd just moved there because -her father, who isn't in very good health, -has to live near his business. He's in a big -steamship company on West Street. And -until now they've always lived in an apartment -on Madison Avenue near Central Park. They -just moved down here a week ago. Her -mother is dead, and an aunt, her father's sister, -lives with them.</p> - -<p>"By this time we had reached the Ten Eyck, -and what do you think!—she asked us to come -in and chat awhile, because she was all alone. -Her aunt was out at some club. Of course we -went in, and my! but it was splendiferous, especially -going up to the eighth floor in a big elevator! -Their rooms are sort of built all -around a central hall. It's different from any -apartment we were ever in. Corinne took us -to her room, which was about as large as this<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">11</a></span> -parlor, and had the cutest low bookcases all -around the walls and lovely cushioned seats in -the windows. And we sat there and talked a -long time.</p> - -<p>"But here's another queer thing about her. -While we were talking about school and our -studies, and how hard the geometry seemed, she -suddenly showed us an old book that was lying -on her table,—it was a <i>very</i> old, battered-up -looking book with brown stains on the leaves, -and one cover half hanging off, and the queerest -old-fashioned pictures,—and, she asked us -whether we'd like to look at it. She said it -was her chief treasure just now. It was called -'Valentine's Manual, Volume II,' and seemed -to be all about New York City in very early -times. She said her father had picked it up at -an auction-sale of some one's library, and had -given it to her for her birthday.</p> - -<p>"I didn't say much, for somehow I thought -it was an awfully queer thing to get for your -birthday—an old, dilapidated, uninteresting -book like that! And then I guess she saw -that we were surprised, for she said:</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">12</a></span></p> - -<p>"'Don't you love <i>old</i> things?'</p> - -<p>"I just had to laugh,—it all seemed so queer! -And I said, no, I preferred them brand-new. -And then she said:</p> - -<p>"'Well, perhaps every one doesn't feel the -same as I do; for Father says I'm a born antiquarian, -just as he is!' We couldn't say a -word, either of us, for actually, we don't know -what 'antiquarian' means! She went out of -the room just after that and brought back some -lemonade and little sweet crackers. Then we -had to leave, for it was getting late, and we -knew you'd be watching for us." Here Bess -ended her recital and Margaret instantly exclaimed:</p> - -<p>"Get the dictionary—quick! I want to see -what 'antiquarian' means!"</p> - -<p>"That's just like you!" commented Jess, as -she hauled a big Webster's Unabridged out of -the bookcase. "You're a lot like Corinne, too. -I think you two would get on beautifully together. -Here it is:</p> - -<p>"'Antiquarian,—one who is addicted to the -study of antiquities; an admirer of antiquity.'<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">13</a></span> -And 'antiquities' are old things, of course. -Well, what she sees to admire in 'em beats me! -Anyhow, she's an awfully nice girl,—sort of -unusual, you know,—and I'm glad we made -her acquaintance. Bess and I were saying on -the way home that it's kind of like an <i>adventure</i> -to meet unusual people—" Jess broke -off suddenly, at the sound of a latch-key in the -front door, and they all exclaimed:</p> - -<p>"There's Mother! Isn't she early to-night!"</p> - -<p>A pleasant-voiced woman called out to them -cheerily, and a moment later entered the room. -Mrs. Bronson's face, which singularly resembled -her youngest daughter's, had once been -very pretty, but now showed many traces of -anxious care. Her expression was of one who -was constantly thinking over worrisome matters. -But at the sight of the trio her face lit -up, the lines smoothed away temporarily, and -ten years seemed magically to drop from her -as she sat down in the group, questioning them -about the affairs of their day.</p> - -<p>After a few moments the twins went off<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">14</a></span> -downstairs to help Sarah with the dinner, and -Margaret was left to her coveted half-hour -alone with her mother.</p> - -<p>"Oh, Mummy," she sighed, snuggling her -head on Mrs. Bronson's shoulder, "this is -lovely! You don't often get home so early. -But I appreciate it specially, because I feel -sort of blue and no-'count to-night."</p> - -<p>"Is that so, dear?" exclaimed her mother, -some of the anxious lines returning to her face. -"Is the pain worse? What has happened to-day?"</p> - -<p>"No, it isn't my back," Margaret almost -sobbed. "It's just that <i>nothing</i> has happened—to -me—to-day; nothing ever <i>does</i> happen! -I just sit here all day long, waiting for 'something -to turn up,' like Dickens' <i>Mr. Micawber</i>, -and nothing ever does turn up! The twins go -out and meet nice people and have pleasant -things happen, but there's nothing like that -for me. Oh, I want some adventures—just -one nice, big, beautiful adventure would do—some -delightful, unexpected surprise! I'd be -content if I could have just <i>one</i>!" It was very<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">15</a></span> -unusual for Margaret to make the slightest -complaint, and it was well now that her head -was on her mother's shoulder, and that she did -not see the sudden pain in Mrs. Bronson's face.</p> - -<p>"Dearie, I know!" her mother said. "It's -dull enough for you, sitting here day after day. -But we're all doing the best we can to make -you happy. After all, you never can tell -what's going to happen. Just keep on hoping -for something interesting to 'turn up,' and -I'm sure sometime it will. Things occasionally -happen in the most unexpected way! -Even <i>Mr. Micawber</i> had something pleasant -'turn up' after a while, if you remember."</p> - -<p>Margaret snuggled her head closer. -"You're a <i>dear</i>, Mummy! You do cheer me -up so! I feel better already, and I'm going -to hope harder than ever that something nice -and interesting—some real <i>adventure</i>—will -turn up sometime, perhaps <i>soon</i>!"</p> - - - - -<hr /> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">16</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER II<br /> -<span class="small">SOMETHING TURNS UP</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="drop"><span class="uppercase">And</span> the unexpected happened sooner, -much sooner, than Margaret would even -have dared to dream. Something did "turn -up"! But like many adventures, it came -clothed in the guise of quite an ordinary, every -day affair, and there was little about its beginning -to suggest the remotest idea of anything -startling. To be exact, it was simply that -about a week after the beginning of their acquaintance -the twins came home one day with -the announcement that their new friend, Corinne, -had expressed a decided wish to call and -make Margaret's acquaintance, and that they -had invited her for the following day. At first -Margaret had protested strongly:</p> - -<p>"Oh, no, girls! I can't see her. You know -I never see any strangers. It's awfully nice -of her. But—but I wouldn't know what to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">17</a></span> -say to any one I didn't know very well. Do -thank her for me, but—"</p> - -<p>"Nonsense!" cried Bess, decidedly. "It'll -do you good to see some one beside just ourselves. -Mother thinks so too. And you'll -<i>like</i> her, I know. I couldn't tell her she -mustn't come, anyway! It wouldn't be polite!" -And that clinched the argument.</p> - -<p>In reality, it had seemed quite wonderful to -Margaret that this interesting new friend of -her sisters could possibly care to become acquainted -with her, and she felt grateful for the -pleasant attention. But with the unconquerable -shyness of a secluded invalid she shrank -from the meeting, all her longing for something -new and exciting to happen being temporarily -forgotten. And then the day arrived.</p> - -<p>"Ye'll be after havin' company, this afternoon, -Margie mavourneen, so I suppose ye'll -be wantin' a little snack about half-past four?" -Sarah had just wheeled Margaret into the front -parlor by the window, raised the shades a trifle, -and tucked her idol securely and cozily into her -chair.</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">18</a></span></p> - -<p>"Oh, yes, Sarah! Do have hot chocolate and -those lovely drop-cakes you made this morning!"</p> - -<p>"Who's the gur-rl that's comin', anyway? -Shure it's a strange thing for <i>you</i> to be seein' -any one!" Sarah exclaimed jealously as she -turned to leave the room.</p> - -<p>"Oh, some one named Corinne Cameron. -She's a nice girl. The twins like her," replied -Margaret, with assumed indifference. Not for -worlds would she have allowed Sarah to read -her real feelings on the subject.</p> - -<p>"Huh!" was Sarah's only reply as she -handed Margaret her book and lumbered heavily -downstairs to the kitchen, while the invalid -settled herself to wait for the arrival of her -twin sisters and their "queer" new friend. It -was only two o'clock and she couldn't possibly -expect them before three or a quarter past. -The time loomed long and interminable before -her. First she tried to read, but even the beloved -"Little Women" failed to interest her. -So she rested her elbow on the arm of her chair, -and, chin in hand, stared out of the window<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">19</a></span> -across the street at a squat little dormer-windowed -house directly opposite.</p> - -<p>Would she really, she wondered, like the girl -who was coming that day? The occasion was -certainly an unusual one in her uneventful life, -for she saw, as a rule, almost no one outside of -her own family, except the doctor. From the -time she was a small baby she had suffered with -an affection of the spine, and the physicians -could hold out no hope that she would ever be -anything but an invalid. Ever since she had -grown too large to be carried about, she had -spent her waking hours in this invalid-chair.</p> - -<p>Of the outside world she saw little save the -view from the parlor windows, and what passed -before her each sunny day during the short -hour that Sarah pushed her in her chair up and -down the block. But Margaret was singularly -loving and sweet-tempered, and most of -the time successfully hid the pain and weariness -she suffered, both in body and mind. Few -realized, except the faithful Sarah, what bodily -misery she often endured; and none could appreciate -the unconquerable shyness that kept<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">20</a></span> -her from all companionship with girls of her -own age, excepting that of her sisters.</p> - -<p>Margaret envied nothing more heartily than -the ability to join in the athletic sports of the -robust twins. She yearned above all things to -play basket-ball and wield a tennis-racket. -And because such things were to be forever impossible -to her, she felt that she could be of no -earthly interest to her sisters' equally athletic -comrades, so she shyly refused to meet any of -them. But this new girl was obviously "different." -Margaret felt that perhaps she -would understand, that they would find much -of common interest to talk about. For Margaret, -too, loved books,—loved them with the -passionate delight that only confirmed invalids -can feel for the printed magic that takes them -out of themselves and makes them forget their -bodily ills. She read voraciously everything -that came her way. Beside that, she had long -ago insisted on studying with the twins. She -kept pace with them through all their school -work and often outstripped them in the quickness -of her comprehension. And the twins<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">21</a></span> -were immensely proud of her attainments.</p> - -<p>The home life of the Bronsons was a pleasant -one, but rather different in many ways from -that of ordinary families. Their father had -died when Margaret was a baby. Their -mother was the busy, worried, overworked director -of a large French dressmaking establishment -on Fifth Avenue. By her earnings she -supported her family in moderate comfort and -maintained the little house in Charlton Street, -which had always been their home. She went -away to business early every morning, and -often did not arrive home till late in the evening, -especially in the "rush" seasons. Thus -she saw little of her children except on Sundays, -and then she was usually too tired to enjoy -their company, though she loved them -devotedly.</p> - -<p>It was big, loyal Sarah McKinstry who -really ran and directed the household. She -had lived with the family ever since Mrs. Bronson -had come to the Charlton Street house, a -bride, and considered it her own. Little, frail, -ailing Margaret she adored with a passionate<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">22</a></span> -and jealous devotion. Margaret never teased -her, as did the twins, and many a weary night -had she spent sitting up with the little sufferer -when the pain was worse than usual. Her -sharp tongue she used on the others unsparingly, -but never on the delicate child in the -invalid-chair. Nevertheless, as a matter of -fact, she was really devoted to them all. And -though they, perhaps, never expressed it in -quite that way, they knew that the heart of -Sarah McKinstry was as a precious jewel in a -setting of cast-iron.</p> - -<p>So on this sunny afternoon sat Margaret in -her window, wondering much about the coming -visit,—wondering for the hundredth time -if she would really like this queer Corinne -Cameron, and—which was even more important—would -she be liked in return.</p> - -<p>The clock on the mantel chimed three, and -Margaret began to crane her neck in order to -see as far down the street as possible. They -would come from the Varick Street end of the -block, she knew, because they always walked -down that way, in preference to the shorter but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">23</a></span> -not so pleasant route through Macdougal -Street.</p> - -<p>At three-fifteen precisely they swung into -view. The twins, who looked very much alike, -were walking one on each side of a tall girl, who -topped them by almost a head. Margaret -gave a little gasp and leaned far out of her -chair. In one swift glance she scanned the -new acquaintance, as the three came abreast of -the house.</p> - -<p>"Oh, I'm going to like her—<i>surely</i>!" she -whispered, as she waved in answer to the triple -salute. Then she drew back suddenly behind -the curtains in a new access of shyness, now -that the encounter was really so close.</p> - -<p>But if Margaret had any lingering doubts on -the subject, they were quickly dispelled in the -first half-hour with the "queer" girl. Corinne -broke the ice at once after her introduction to -the little invalid.</p> - -<p>"What a dear, fascinating house you live -in!" she began, gazing about the parlor with -her dreamy, far-away look. "That carved -marble mantel is just fine, and so are the pillars<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">24</a></span> -between the rooms, and all this white paneling."</p> - -<p>The twins stared at each other and then at -Margaret.</p> - -<p>"Mercy! Do you think so?" cried Bess. -"Why, we've always thought it the horridest, -old-fashioned place—"</p> - -<p>"That's just what I mean," interrupted Corinne. -"It <i>is</i> old-fashioned, and that's why -it's so delightful!"</p> - -<p>"Oh, we forgot that you like <i>old</i> things!" -laughed Bess. "Well, this is just a little, old, -shabby rookery, and not a single interesting -thing about it. You don't know how we've -<i>longed</i> to move into a lovely new apartment—like -the one you live in, for instance,—and have -all the up-to-date fixings and everything."</p> - -<p>"Well, I'd give a <i>lot</i> to change with you!" -replied Corinne. "I <i>hate</i> apartments! I've -lived in one all my life, and I've always just -dreamed of living in a dear old house like this -that was built fifty or a hundred years ago. -Think of all the things that must have happened -in it, and all the history it's seen!—Nobody<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">25</a></span> -ever heard of anything <i>historical</i> about an -apartment-house!"</p> - -<p>Margaret, who hadn't said a word all this -time, leaned forward now with shining eyes -and demanded:</p> - -<p>"But—Corinne—" (she hesitated just a little -over the unaccustomed name) "what can -you possibly see about this place that's interesting? -We've always thought it just as ordinary -as—as ordinary could be,—when we've -thought about it at all!" And now Corinne -was in her element.</p> - -<p>"Why, think of it!" she exclaimed. "Think -what stories there must be about this house—or -any old house! Think what strange things -may have happened in it! Think what history -it's seen! Think what mysteries there may be -about it—if we only knew them! Just imagine -what scenes people may have looked at out of -those darling little dormer-windows, or what -famous generals may have leaned against this -white-pillared mantel and talked of their battles, -or what traitors may have sat in this parlor -and laid plots, or what secret letters may be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">26</a></span> -hidden behind the woodwork in that funny little -cater-cornered closet over there, or—"</p> - -<p>She stopped suddenly from sheer lack of -breath. Her three listeners were staring at her -spellbound. Even the less impressionable -twins were devouring her words in wide-eyed -wonder.</p> - -<p>As for Margaret, she was tingling to her finger-tips -with a strange excitement. A whole -new vista of wonderful things had suddenly -been opened to her. She looked about on what -she had always considered her perfectly ordinary, -commonplace home, and her very scalp -prickled to think of the many-sided mysteries -its walls might contain. She felt a sudden -wild desire to get to the cater-cornered closet -Corinne had mentioned (though she knew it -contained nothing more exciting than Sarah's -dusters and some dilapidated books), rip out -its white woodwork and search frantically for -hidden documents. Instead, she leaned back -in her chair with a long sigh, and remarked:</p> - -<p>"Well, you are a wonder, Corinne! You've -given me something new to think of. From<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">27</a></span> -now on, this house will always be as interesting -to me as a story!"</p> - -<p>Corinne nodded, but only said, "I know!"</p> - -<p>Suddenly Jess sat up with a start and exclaimed:</p> - -<p>"Oh, by the way, Corinne, as you're so interested -in old things, I wonder if you'd like to see -the spinning-wheel we've got up in the attic. -Mother says it belonged to her grandmother in -New England more than a hundred years -ago!"</p> - -<p>"Have you actually an <i>attic</i>?" cried Corinne, -joyfully. "Oh, do let me see it—that is, if it -won't be inconvenient! Actually, girls, I've -never been in a <i>real</i> attic in my life! And I'd -love to see the spinning-wheel, too."</p> - -<p>"Well, come right along with me," said Jess, -"and we'll see it while the daylight lasts. I -suppose it isn't the same kind of an attic you'd -find in a big old farmhouse, but it's the open -space over the top floor that we've always used -as an attic and storeroom, except the back part, -which is finished off into a room that Sarah -uses. She's our maid,—or rather, our housekeeper,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">28</a></span> -and we'd better not let her catch us up -there, because she's awfully particular how she -keeps the attic, and never allows us to go up -and disturb things."</p> - -<p>So Jess escorted the antique-loving Corinne -to the exploration of the attic, while Bess remained -downstairs to keep Margaret company.</p> - -<p>"Well?" she questioned, turning to her -younger sister as soon as the others were out of -ear-shot. She knew that no further explanation -of her question was necessary.</p> - -<p>"Oh, she's simply wonderful!" exclaimed -Margaret, in a half-whisper. "I rather expected -I'd <i>like</i> her, but I never dreamed she'd -be as interesting as this. And she thinks the -same way I do about a lot of things."</p> - -<p>"But isn't she <i>queer</i>!" marveled Bess. "Actually, -on the way walking down here this afternoon, -I thought we'd never be able to drag -her past some of the old, rickety places on -Varick Street. She'd stand in front of each -one and rave about it till we really began to -attract the notice of people passing. But she -didn't care! You'd have thought we were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">29</a></span> -sight-seeing in Europe! And she was worst of -all in front of that ramshackle old place on the -corner of Carmine Street, that has a whole -piece of the side cut off, apparently, and the -front door stuck in that funny angle. True as -you live, she got out a blank-book and pencil -and stood there sketching it! (You know, she -draws beautifully.) Said she wanted to show -it to her father! I didn't think or care anything -about that kind of talk then; but do you -know, what she's said here this afternoon actually -makes me feel kind of interested in it all! -I seem to see a lot in these old things that I -didn't before."</p> - -<p>Bess gazed about the parlor again with -speculative eyes, and added: "Now, that old -cupboard in the corner, for instance," when -they were both startled by a loud crash from -upstairs.</p> - -<p>"Gracious!—what was that?" she exclaimed, -and ran out to the foot of the stairs to listen. -But as there were no further alarming noises, -she soon came back.</p> - -<p>"I guess it wasn't anything serious, but I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">30</a></span> -hope nothing's broken or disturbed, or -Sarah'll have a fit!"</p> - -<p>Five minutes later, Corinne and Jess came -tearing down the stairs, breathless and excited, -the latter carrying something in her -hand.</p> - -<p>"Did you hear that bang?" cried Jess. "It -was an accident—I'll tell you about it—but -we made the most wonderful discovery—you -can never guess what!" she was panting for -breath and stopped short at this point.</p> - -<p>"Tell me! Tell me quick!" begged Margaret, -almost wriggling out of her chair in her -excitement.</p> - -<p>"Here it is!" Corinne, equally breathless, -took up the tale. "We brought it down—" -At this moment there came the sound of heavy, -thumping steps on the basement stairs, and -Jess, running to the bookcase, hastily thrust -something far behind a row of books.</p> - -<p>"Sarah's coming!" she warned. "I've hid -it. She mustn't guess what we've been up to, -or she'd spoil everything!" She laid a warning -finger on her lips as Sarah tramped massively<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">31</a></span> -into the parlor bearing a daintily spread -tray.</p> - -<p>"I hur-rd a tur-rible bangin' jest now!" she -remarked suspiciously as she set it down. -Then turning her eyes on the twins: "What -might the pair of ye have been up to?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, nothing, Sarah!" Jess replied sweetly. -"I went up to the attic for a moment, and -something fell while I was pulling it out. But -there wasn't any damage done," she hastened -on reassuringly, "and I put it right back!"</p> - -<p>"I've warned ye to keep out of that attic!" -grumbled Sarah, arranging the chocolate-cups. -"Something always happens when ye go there. -From now on, I think I'll be lockin' it up!"</p> - -<p>"My gracious!" thought Margaret, boiling -inwardly with impatience. "I <i>do</i> believe this -is an <i>adventure</i>, at last! Will Sarah <i>ever</i> get -out of this room so that I can hear all about it!"</p> - - - - -<hr /> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">32</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER III<br /> -<span class="small">THE DISCOVERY IN THE ATTIC</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="drop"><span class="uppercase">But</span> Sarah continued to circulate around -the little tea-table, clattering the cups, -pouring the chocolate, and handing about the -napkins and plates. And all the while she was -scanning Margaret's new visitor with jealous -and appraising eyes. Her ministrations -seemed fairly interminable to the impatient -four, and during the whole time that she was -serving the refreshments not one of them uttered -a word. So much of a contrast was this -silence to their usual volubility, that she delivered -this Parthian shot as she was at last taking -her departure:</p> - -<p>"Ye all seem mighty quiet, though ye were -chatterin' hard enough when I come up! I'm -thinkin' ye must have guilty consciences!"</p> - -<p>When she had disappeared, Corinne spoke -up:</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">33</a></span></p> - -<p>"You girls all seem rather afraid of your -maid, if you'll pardon my remarking it! But -I think she seems very good-hearted."</p> - -<p>"Why, it's this way," replied Bess. "You -see, Sarah's more than just a maid or a servant. -She runs the whole house, really, because -Mother's away so much and just trusts -her with everything. She's awfully good to -us children and would do almost anything for -us. But she's very, very particular about her -work and her way of arranging things, and she -won't be interfered with the least bit. Why, -Mother herself wouldn't think of changing -any of Sarah's arrangements, even if she didn't -like them, because Sarah wouldn't stand for -it, and we couldn't do without her. Jess and -I tease her a lot, and she lets us have anything -we want to eat; but we mustn't on any account -interfere with her in other ways, or -there'd be trouble!"</p> - -<p>Bess did not enlighten Corinne, however, as -to the real reason for their consideration of -Sarah. It was because of an episode that had -happened when she and her twin sister were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">34</a></span> -several years younger. They had rebelled one -fine day at what they considered Sarah's tyranny, -and for twelve long hours had led her a -life of excitement and angry remonstrance. -And then that night, just as their mother arrived -home, behold Sarah descending the -stairs, dressed for departure, a huge carpetbag -in each hand. A stormy and tearful -scene ensued in which Sarah finally relented -at the urgent importunities of the distracted -Mrs. Bronson. But she promised to remain -only on condition that the twins should obey -her implicitly from that moment.</p> - -<p>And in the privacy of their bedroom that -night Mrs. Bronson had warned the nine-year-old -rebels that, should such a scene ever occur -again, she would give up their home, put Margaret -in a sanatorium and the twins in the -strictest boarding-school she could find, and -herself find a place to live nearer to her business. -The threat had its lasting effect, and -nothing of the kind had ever happened since. -But this was the true reason why the family -lived in wholesome awe of Sarah. And, as the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">35</a></span> -twins were anything but proud of the episode, -they never referred to it.</p> - -<p>"Sarah will probably do just as she threatened," -added Jess, looking meaningly at -Corinne, "and lock up the attic. She's awfully -particular about that place! You'd -think it was as important as the parlor!"</p> - -<p>Suddenly Margaret, who could endure the -suspense no longer, burst out:</p> - -<p>"If some one doesn't tell me quick all about -that mysterious thing you found in the attic, -I'll—I'll go <i>crazy</i>!" Then she dropped back -in her chair, overcome anew by shyness at -having been so vehement before a comparative -stranger.</p> - -<p>"Oh, tell her, right away!" cried Corinne. -"I know just how she feels!"</p> - -<p>"Well, it happened this way," began Jess, -between a sip of chocolate and a bite of drop-cake. -"Corinne and I were looking at the -spinning-wheel—"</p> - -<p>"Yes, and it's a beauty, too!" interrupted -Corinne. "You ought to have it down here."</p> - -<p>"—and then we got to poking around, looking<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">36–38</a></span> -into some boxes and talking about the -funny old hooded cradle that Mother brought -from her home in Massachusetts. And all of -a sudden Corinne spied that little old hair-trunk,—do -you remember it, Bess?—and she -said she'd never seen an old trunk like that -before. I asked her if she'd like to look into -it. I really didn't remember, myself, what -the inside was like or what was kept in it. She -said she would, so we started to haul it down. -It's rather small, and Sarah had it piled way -up on that high shelf.</p> - -<p>"Well, I guess we gave it too hard a jerk, -for all of a sudden, down it came—smash!—and -flew open (you know it hasn't any lock -now), and everything in it was scattered all -over the floor. Sarah had all our winter -flannels packed away in it, and you can imagine -what a time we had picking them up and -trying to fold and get them back so she -wouldn't know what had happened!</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/i_037.jpg" alt="Corinne" /> - <div class="caption"> - <span class="small">"Corinne noticed that the bottom of the trunk seemed all wrong"</span> - </div> -</div> - -<p>"But here's the queer part of it! Just after -we'd collected all the things and folded them<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">39</a></span> -nicely and were going to put them back, Corinne -noticed that the bottom of the trunk -seemed all wrong. One corner of it was -humped up as though it had been knocked -through in falling. I tell you I was scared, -for I thought Sarah'd just go wild when she -found it out! But when we turned the trunk -upside down,—lo and behold! the bottom of it -was <i>all right</i>—just as tight as a trivet!</p> - -<p>"If we weren't astonished! We just -didn't know what to make of it! Then we -turned it back, and I put my hand under the -part that was poked up, gave it a pull, and—it -came right out!—the whole bottom! And -there, if you please, was the <i>real</i> bottom of the -trunk, underneath! But between the two was -lying hidden—<i>this</i>!" Jess ran to the bookcase, -pulled out the mysterious object she had concealed -there, and crossing the room laid it in -Margaret's lap. They all crowded about the -chair.</p> - -<p>"Why!" exclaimed Bess, in a tone of great -disappointment, before the others could speak,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">40</a></span> -"it's only an old, dusty, disreputable account-book -with the back torn off. I don't see anything -so wonderful in that!"</p> - -<p>"Wait till you've seen what's inside!" remarked -Corinne, quietly. Margaret, meanwhile, -was fingering the crumbly leather cover, -wondering at its queer, mottled aspect. Then -she opened it to the first page and suddenly -gave a big gasp.</p> - -<p>"Well, of all things!" she murmured. -"What in the world can it mean? I never saw -anything like it before!"</p> - -<p>"Neither did I!" agreed Bess, now in a tone -of real awe. The other two only smiled, with -a rather "I-told-you-so!" expression. Well -might they marvel over its strange contents. -The pages were yellow with age and mottled -with curious brown stains, and some of them -were torn. But the writing was still visible, -and this is what it looked like:—</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/i_040.jpg" alt="Code" /> -</div> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">41</a></span></p> - -<p class="in0">with similar characters all down the first page. -A glance through the rest of the long thin book -revealed the same array of bewildering symbols -to the very last leaf, where the back cover -was missing.</p> - -<p>The four sat for a moment in silent astonishment, -trying to make some sense out of the -riddle. Suddenly Margaret had an idea.</p> - -<p>"I know! It's shorthand! I've read that -that is writing with funny curves and dots and -wiggly lines."</p> - -<p>"No," Corinne gently corrected her, "I don't -think it's shorthand, Margaret. I saw some -shorthand that Father's stenographer wrote -once, and it was quite different from this. Besides, -this seems quite old, as if it were done -many years ago, and shorthand's a comparatively -modern invention, I think."</p> - -<p>"Well, then, it must be Chinese or Syrian or -Russian or something like that!" asserted Jess. -"I've seen lots of signs over the stores of foreigners -that don't look so very different from -this. Or—oh, I know now! it's <i>Greek</i>!"</p> - -<p>Corinne laughed. "No indeed, it isn't<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">42</a></span> -Greek!" she declared. "Father taught me the -Greek alphabet when I was a tiny girl, and -made me learn to know the letters. I'm going -to study it when I go to college. This is entirely -different. I don't believe they're letters -of any other language, either."</p> - -<p>She sat in frowning thought over the strange -page for several minutes, while the others -watched her in breathless interest. They, having -no further solutions to offer, threw themselves -unreservedly on her greater resourcefulness. -Jess, meanwhile, refilled the chocolate-cups, -and Bess passed the cake, while -Margaret reveled in such excitement as she had -never before experienced. Corinne still remained -thoughtfully turning the pages. Suddenly -she exclaimed:</p> - -<p>"I have it!—at least, I <i>think</i> so!"</p> - -<p>"What? what? oh, quick!" they begged.</p> - -<p>"I think some one has written all this in -what they call a—a 'cipher.' I've heard of -such things. Father told me people often -send messages over the telegraph or cable in -cipher—"</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">43</a></span></p> - -<p>"But what is that? How?" demanded Margaret.</p> - -<p>"Why, they have certain words or expressions -which stand for other words or even -whole sentences. And you can't understand -the message unless you have the 'code' or explanation. -For instance, a man may cable -just the words 'Pay Smith' to his broker, and -that may mean 'Buy me five thousand bushels -of wheat to-day.'"</p> - -<p>"Yes, but that isn't a bit like what's here," -argued Margaret.</p> - -<p>"No, but it's the same idea," Corinne declared. -"I think in this case some one has -taken certain signs to represent the different -letters of the alphabet. First I thought that -perhaps each sign might stand for a different -word. But that could hardly be, because there -are so many words, one could hardly find signs -enough to go round. And besides, I notice in -looking through the book that there are comparatively -few signs, and they are constantly -repeated." She fell to gazing silently at the -book again, while the others watched, still more<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">44</a></span> -fascinated by the discoveries she was making. -Presently she looked up again.</p> - -<p>"I've found out something else, I think. -Do you see that sign of the triangle? Well, if -you notice, that occurs more frequently than -any of the others. In the first five lines there -are more than fourteen of them, and no other -sign happens as frequently as that. Now, if -these signs stand for letters, that couldn't be a -letter, even if it were one of the commonest, -like 'a' or 'i' or 'e'—"</p> - -<p>"What <i>can</i> it be then?" whispered Margaret, -in a voice so tense that they all laughed.</p> - -<p>"I think it means the <i>space</i> between the -words!" vouchsafed Corinne. "You see, -there'd have to be <i>something</i> to indicate -spaces. You couldn't have the words all -jumbled up together. It wouldn't make -sense!"</p> - -<p>"Well, you are wonderful!" sighed Jess, -sitting back on her heels. "I never would have -thought of it in a century!"</p> - -<p>"Oh, no!" laughed Corinne. "There's -nothing wonderful about that. It's only common<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">45</a></span> -sense and puzzling it out like a riddle. -Now see! If we take it for granted that the -triangle means a space between the words, this -sign of the dot between two triangles must be -either the letter 'a,' 'I' or 'O,' for those are the -only words of just one letter. But you can't -tell which it is till you've puzzled out some -more. And—after all, this idea may be all -wrong. It may be something quite different, -for all we know!"</p> - -<p>"But what can it all be about?" began Jess, -going off on another tack. "And how under -the sun did the thing get hidden away in our old -trunk under a false bottom. It's awfully -mysterious!"</p> - -<p>"Tell you what I think," volunteered Corinne. -"Whatever it is, it's been in that trunk -for years and years—hidden there, perhaps, -when the trunk belonged to some one else. Do -you know where it came from—the trunk, I -mean?"</p> - -<p>"No, I don't even know whether it was Father's -or Mother's," answered Jess. "But I -can ask Mother. Maybe she'd know."</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">46</a></span></p> - -<p>"I'd like to puzzle this thing out!" mused -Corinne. "Who knows! Perhaps we'd find -it was something awfully interesting. It's -simply full of mystery and—and possibilities!" -At this point, Margaret, who during all the -latter conversation had been fidgeting with -impatience, began:</p> - -<p>"Now, girls, look here! I've just had the -most delightful idea! We've made the discovery -of something awfully interesting, probably, -if we could only find out what it's all -about. Why not let's form ourselves into a -secret society—just we four—with the purpose -of finding out all about this mystery? We -won't let another soul into the secret—not even -Mother. Oh, it'll be <i>such</i> fun! Do, <i>please</i>!"</p> - -<p>She looked imploringly at the twins, and for -once they did not appear to object—even -looked a trifle interested. For it was the ambition -of Margaret's pitiful, limited little life -to be the member of a "secret society." She -had read much of school fraternities and clubs, -and the fascinating idea had taken a firm root -in her mind. Of course for her—poor helpless<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">47</a></span> -little invalid that she was—there could be -no such thing as membership or participation -in the real organizations. In place of this, she -was forever begging her sisters to form a tiny -society of their own, just the three, and have -meetings and secrets and all the paraphernalia -of the big school "frats."</p> - -<p>But the idea had never appealed to the twins. -They had no interest in any of the school clubs -except the basket-ball and tennis teams. And -to have a make-believe one at home with no -earthly or apparent object was something they -had never yet brought themselves to consider, -much as they loved their invalid sister. But -here was something a trifle different! Margaret, -quick to see her advantage, hastened on:</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes! <i>Do</i> let's have one! Wouldn't -it be a good idea, Corinne? Think of the fun -we'd have, meeting and puzzling out this queer -old book! Perhaps it might lead to something -important, too. And I've even thought -of a name for it,—we could call it the <i>Antiquarian -Club</i>!"</p> - -<p>The latter idea captured Corinne. "That's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">48</a></span> -a dandy name for it,—'Antiquarian Club'! I -<i>like</i> that! And besides, it's true, too, for if -this isn't an antiquity, I'd like to know what -is! Yes, let's have the club!" Corinne was -moved to accept the idea by two impulses. -The notion really did appeal to her, but even -if it hadn't, she would have pretended it did -for the sake of the pathetic little figure in the -invalid-chair, who was rapidly taking a firm -hold of her heart.</p> - -<p>"Oh, goody! And you do like the idea, too, -don't you, girls?" exclaimed Margaret. The -twins capitulated unreservedly.</p> - -<p>"Yes, we do," said Bess. "I've always detested -such societies because they seemed so -useless. But this thing is really worth having -a club for!"</p> - -<p>Margaret, however, had something else on -her mind. "Oh, just one thing more," she -added, a little shyly. "Could I—could I be—<i>president</i>? -All clubs have to have a president. -I would so love to be!"</p> - -<p>"Indeed you shall!" spoke up Corinne before -either of the others had a chance. "We<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">49</a></span> -elect you at once—unanimously—don't we, -girls? And now, Miss President, you can appoint -the rest of us to other offices!"</p> - -<p>Margaret flushed with pleasure. "I appoint -you, Corinne, to be secretary. There -always has to be one of those. And there -usually is a treasurer, if there is any money -to handle. But there won't be here, for we -won't have any dues. So I don't know what -to call the others."</p> - -<p>"Let's just be plain members, for the -present," suggested Bess. "And now, what -are we going to do about this book, Miss President?"</p> - -<p>"I think we ought to let Corinne take it -home and see if she can puzzle out any more -of it before next meeting," decided Margaret. -"That would be all right, wouldn't it?" They -all agreed.</p> - -<p>"I'd like to show it to Father and ask him -what he thinks—" began Corinne, but Margaret -hastily interrupted:</p> - -<p>"Oh, no! You mustn't do <i>that</i>! You -know it's a <i>secret</i> society, and we aren't going<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">50</a></span> -to tell any one about anything in it. And besides—"</p> - -<p>"Yes, and besides," put in Jess, "if we tell -<i>any one</i> about this book, it might somehow leak -out and get back to Sarah what we'd done in -breaking the trunk, and then there might be -<i>trouble</i>!" She looked meaningly at Bess.</p> - -<p>"Oh, no!" assented the latter hastily. "We -mustn't tell a soul!" Plainly the twins still -lived in dread of the awful threat made so -many years ago. They knew that Sarah was -even yet fully capable of putting it into execution—under -sufficient provocation!</p> - -<p>"All right," agreed Corinne. "I won't -breathe a word of this, then, and I'll see what -I can do to make head or tail of the thing. -But, mercy!" glancing at her watch, "it's -nearly six o'clock, and I ought to have been -home long ago. I'll take the car at the corner, -I guess." She hurried into her wraps, -gathered up the precious "find" with her -school-books, and bade the girls good-by.</p> - -<p>"It's been a remarkable afternoon for me!" -she declared as she kissed Margaret. "I feel<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">51</a></span> -like a <i>real</i> antiquarian now. Hurrah for the -Antiquarian Club! Let's have another meeting -as soon as I've made some progress with -this!" She tapped the old account-book significantly -and hurried away.</p> - -<p>"Oh!" sighed Margaret, blissfully, settling -back in her chair, "this is positively the most -wonderful day I ever spent in my life! Can -I ever wait for the next meeting?" The twins -stood by her chair, looking thoughtful. They -too were strangely stirred out of their usual -unimaginative selves.</p> - -<p>"Well, I confess, I never dreamed of anything -so queer happening in <i>this</i> old ranch!" -marveled Bess. "It's all Corinne's doings."</p> - -<p>That night Mrs. Bronson came home very -late from business, but she went in, as was her -invariable custom, to peep at her little invalid -daughter before she herself retired. To her -surprise, she found Margaret still awake.</p> - -<p>"Dear, you're not ill, are you?" she inquired -anxiously. "You're usually asleep at this -time."</p> - -<p>But Margaret only laughed a happy little<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">52</a></span> -laugh. "No, Mummy, I'm all right,—only -just too interested to sleep! Do you remember -what you once said about an <i>adventure</i> -turning up? Well, it has,—the loveliest kind -of a one! But I can't tell you about it, because -it's a secret. You won't mind, will -you?"</p> - -<p>Mrs. Bronson smiled. "No indeed, I won't -mind! Just as long as you're happy and contented, -I don't mind a thing! Did the twins' -new friend come to see you to-day? And did -you like her?"</p> - -<p>At this, Margaret entered on such a vivid -and enthusiastic account of Corinne, that Mrs. -Bronson heaved a sigh of thankfulness for the -new interest in her little girl's empty life.</p> - -<p>An hour later Margaret fell asleep to dream, -the night through, of strange, hieroglyphic -symbols, and all the weird things they might -stand for. But not a thing she dreamed of -was as curious as the reality that Corinne was -soon to disclose!</p> - - - - -<hr /> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">53</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER IV<br /> -<span class="small">A KEY TO THE MYSTERY</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="drop"><span class="uppercase">The</span> next few days passed in a fever of -impatience for Margaret. Each afternoon -she besieged the twins for news of Corinne -and her progress with the "cipher." -And every day their report was about the -same:</p> - -<p>"She thinks she's on the right track, but she -can't tell surely yet. It's pretty difficult, you -know, and Corinne has to study and do other -things, too, besides puzzling over that."</p> - -<p>"But has she found out <i>any</i> of the letters?" -Margaret would demand.</p> - -<p>"She <i>thinks</i> so, but she can't be sure till she's -made them <i>all</i> out definitely." And Bess -would add, "Now, do be reasonable, Miss President! -Your secretary is doing her very best. -But if you don't think she's a success, you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">54</a></span> -might take the job away from her and give it -to <i>me</i>!" At which Margaret would chuckle -derisively.</p> - -<p>Truth to tell, the twins were almost as -anxious as she for a solution of the mystery. -The sudden introduction of this new element -into their hitherto wholly athletic and unimaginative -existences, they found, to their surprise, -even more diverting than the most exciting -tennis-match or basket-ball struggle. About -a week after Corinne's first visit, all three burst -in breathlessly upon Margaret, one cold afternoon, -and transported her to the seventh -heaven of delight with this exciting news: -"Corinne's got it, at last! Haven't you, Corinne!</p> - -<p>"Yes," she admitted, giving Margaret a big -hug of greeting, "I think I've puzzled out -most of the letters now, and I've even worked -out a few of the first sentences—"</p> - -<p>"Yes, and she says they're awfully strange!" -interrupted the twins, in chorus. "And she -wouldn't tell us a word, though we begged her -hard!"</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">55</a></span></p> - -<p>"Well, Miss President," laughed Corinne, -"it seemed to me that this was a thing to be revealed -only in a solemn meeting of the club and -in your presence. Was I right?"</p> - -<p>"Indeed you were!" declared Margaret. -"Don't you ever tell them a thing before -you've told me, will you?"</p> - -<p>"I won't!" promised Corinne. "It shall be -the first rule of our society,—no discoveries -told to ordinary members before the president -hears them! And now let's get to business!" -They all drew up before the cozy open fire.</p> - -<p>"Oh, isn't this lovely!" sighed Corinne. -She opened the old account-book and placed -beside it a paper on which she had written the -letters of the alphabet, and next to each the -sign that appeared to stand for it.</p> - -<p>"I had the <i>worst</i> time puzzling this out!" she -said. "I worked and worked over it and -changed them all around nearly forty times before -I struck anything that seemed just right. -But now I guess we've got it, at last! I'm -sure 'a' is this perpendicular straight line, 'b' -the rectangle with the bottom missing, 'c' the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">56</a></span> -horizontal parallels—and so on. Now, as -I've said, I've made out the first few sentences -and they seem awfully strange! Here they -are." She turned the paper over and read:</p> - -<p>"'This is a house of mystery, and strange, -unaccountable dread. I feel daily that something -menaces me—that my life is not safe.'" -A delicious shudder ran through the listening -group.</p> - -<p>"Oh, isn't this <i>gorgeous</i>!" half whispered -Margaret. "It fills me with—with thrills!" -Corinne went on:</p> - -<p>"'Therefore I am keeping this little journal -from time to time. Should aught evil befall -me in this strange land and among these unfriendly -people, at least I will leave some -record whereby my own kin may trace my fate, -perchance, at some future day. I dare not -write this out in good English lest it be discovered -by those who hate me. So I have invented -this secret code, whereof none save myself -knows the key. This book I found in the -library unused and I have taken it. I trust it -will be counted no act of thievery. I keep it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">57</a></span> -hidden in the false bottom of my trunk. The -key of the code I have put in another spot. -As soon as my memory has mastered it, I will -destroy it. 'Tis safer.'—And that's as far as -I got!" ended Corinne.</p> - -<p>For a moment they all sat dumb with amazement.</p> - -<p>"What <i>do</i> you make of it?" exclaimed Bess. -"Who is it,—a man or a woman? When was -it written, and where? Why, I'm just wild to -find out all about it!"</p> - -<p>"I confess," admitted Corinne, "that I don't -know <i>what</i> to make of it. I've puzzled and -puzzled over it all day—"</p> - -<p>"But, good gracious!" interrupted the impatient -Margaret, "of course we can't make -anything out of it till we've worked out some -more! Come ahead! Right now! We're -only wasting time talking about it!"</p> - -<p>"That's so!" laughed Corinne. "And when -we can find out right away, by getting to work! -Here, Margaret! You write, while I spell -the thing out!" She thrust the paper and pencil -into Margaret's hands, while the twins hung<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">58</a></span> -over her as she slowly deciphered the sentences:</p> - -<p>"'Would—that—I—had—never—left—my—peaceful—Bermuda—'" -Corinne -dropped the book suddenly.</p> - -<p>"<i>Bermuda!</i>—I've been there! Oh, this is -fine!"</p> - -<p>"Have <i>you</i> been to Bermuda?" exclaimed -Margaret and the twins, with awe. "When?"</p> - -<p>"Last winter, with Father. He was ill, and -we stayed six weeks. It was heavenly!"</p> - -<p>"You lucky girl!" sighed Margaret. "But, -go on! We must find out more, right away!"</p> - -<p>Corinne took up the book and began anew: -"'But since I did wilfully abandon my home—aye!—and -Grandfather, too, even though he -does not love me—'"</p> - -<p>"'Grandfather'?" interrupted Bess. "He -can't be very old, if he has a grandfather living!"</p> - -<p>"Doesn't seem likely," murmured Corinne, -spelling out another word under her breath, -then continuing:</p> - -<p>"'—and did in venturesome manner contribute<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">59</a></span> -my aid to the plot against my country, -I must pay the price, I fear. I am watched -constantly. I take no walk abroad, even in -the grounds, but I feel that I am spied upon. -The affection of Madame M. has changed to -dislike. She, too, suspects me. 'Tis hard for -a lass of but sixteen—'"</p> - -<p>"<i>A lass!</i>" shouted all four. "And only <i>sixteen</i>!"</p> - -<p>"Oh, girls!" cried Corinne, rocking back and -forth in her excitement. "She's just like ourselves—only -a year older than I am! What -<i>can</i> be the trouble—or rather, what <i>could</i> have -been the trouble with the poor little thing?"</p> - -<p>"Go on! go on!" ordered Margaret, with -glistening eyes. "Let's find out!"</p> - -<p>Corinne snatched up the book again: "'to be -alone and friendless in a strange land and to -feel so constantly in danger. But I must not -complain. I brought it on myself. As I have -said, Madame M. no longer appears to care -for me. She was so cordial and affectionate at -first, partly for Aunt's sake, no doubt, and -partly because she really seemed to like me.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">60</a></span> -But since the day when I spoke to Lady ——, -at the time her coach broke down, Madame M. -has regarded me only with suspicion.'"</p> - -<p>"I wish I knew who 'Madame M.' was, and -'Lady Blank,'" put in Margaret. "How -mysterious she is—never writing out their full -names!"</p> - -<p>"Perhaps she didn't dare," said Corinne. -"You see, she says she's in danger. But, oh!—listen -to what she says next!—'There is -something which weighs right heavily on my -conscience. 'Tis the matter of the sapphire -signet. But of that I will speak later.'"</p> - -<p>"<i>The sapphire signet!</i>" breathed the twins in -a tone of hushed awe. "Doesn't it sound rich -and gorgeous and—and <i>mysterious</i>! What's -a 'signet,' anyway?"</p> - -<p>"I think," explained Corinne, "that it's -another name for a seal—something with a -monogram or crest or coat-of-arms, used to -stamp on sealing-wax. Father has one set in -a ring—not a sapphire though—just some ordinary -stone with his monogram on. He<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">61</a></span> -never uses it, but he told me once that in former -times they were used a great deal when letters -were only sealed with wax. Oh! <i>what</i> do you -suppose this matter of the sapphire signet is -all about! Isn't it wildly exciting? But, -goodness!" glancing at her watch, "it's awfully -late again, and I must get home. The -time goes so fast, and it takes so long to puzzle -all this out!"</p> - -<p>"I have an idea!" began Margaret, hesitatingly. -"Suppose <i>I</i> do the puzzling out and -write it down, now that Corinne has discovered -the way. I have so much time that I don't -know what to do with, and this would be so -interesting! Then, when we meet again in a -couple of days, I could read it right off to you -without any trouble. We could get on so -much faster!"</p> - -<p>"I think that's splendid!" agreed Corinne. -"And much as I'm crazy to find out right -away what happens, I'd rather wait and hear -a lot of it read at once. Wouldn't you all?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, that's a good scheme," admitted Bess,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">62</a></span> -"except for one thing. How about Sarah? -You'd have a hard time hiding this from her, -Margaret, and you know she simply mustn't -find out!" For a moment they all looked -"stumped." The obstacle seemed almost insuperable, -when Jess had a brilliant idea.</p> - -<p>"Tell you what! We'll hide the thing in -the bookcase, way back here behind these old -encyclopedias,—the account-book, the paper, -and a brand-new fat blank-book that I'll give -you to do all the copying in. You can tell -Sarah to wheel you over to the bookcase because -you want to read. Then, when she's -out of the way, you can work to your heart's -content. But do hide everything whenever -you hear her coming!"</p> - -<p>"Oh, good! Just the thing! Sarah'll -never suspect in the world!" laughed Margaret. -"And there's no difficulty about hearing -her coming—she weighs two hundred and -fifty pounds!"</p> - -<p>"Well, that's settled then," said Corinne, -"and I'll have to go. But I'm coming day -after to-morrow, if I can manage to wait.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">63</a></span> -It's better than the loveliest book I ever read! -Good-by!"</p> - -<p>When she had gone, the three sisters sat and -looked at one another with an expression of -sheer wonder on their faces. In one week, -through the agency of this same "queer," quiet -girl, their absolutely uninteresting and commonplace -lives had been transformed into an -unbelievable round of mystery and discovery -and romance. And the strange part of it was -that this same mystery had been lying here—right -under their noses, so to speak—all these -years, and they had never even suspected it, -while she had been in the house scarcely half -an hour and had run it straight to earth! -Some such thought was in Margaret's mind -when she presently exclaimed:</p> - -<p>"Isn't she just <i>wonderful</i>! I think she's -the most interesting person I ever met in my -life!"</p> - -<p>"So do I!" echoed Jess.</p> - -<p>"Oh, I shall just dream of this all night!" -whispered Margaret. "It's the most thrilling -thing I ever heard of—this puzzle-story—and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">64</a></span> -the best of it is, it's all our own. We discovered -it! To-morrow you may envy me, -girls, for I'll be finding out—all about the -sapphire signet, <i>and</i> what happened next!"</p> - - - - -<hr /> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">65</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER V<br /> -<span class="small">"THE LASS OF RICHMOND HILL"</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="drop"><span class="uppercase">Two</span> afternoons later, the three active -members of the Antiquarian Club rushed -up the stoop of the Charlton Street house in a -breathless scurry. And Margaret awaited -them in the parlor in a fever of no less eager -excitement.</p> - -<p>"Hurry, girls!" she cried when the first -greetings were over. "I've just got heaps to -read to you! And some of it'll make you 'sit -up and take notice,' as Alexander says!"</p> - -<p>"Who's Alexander?" queried Corinne, curiously.</p> - -<p>"Oh, he's a boy-cousin who lives with us," -Bess enlightened her. "He was Mother's sister's -child, and his parents are both dead now, -so Mother had him come here a year or two -ago. He's twelve years old and a perfect -nuisance! He hates girls, so he generally<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">66</a></span> -keeps out of our way. That's why you've -never seen him. But, come on! I'm wild -to hear what's coming next! Margaret -wouldn't tell us a single thing she's found -out."</p> - -<p>"Wait a minute before we begin," spoke up -Corinne, "and let's just run over what we've -already discovered. It'll keep us from getting -mixed up. A young girl of sixteen has -run away from her home in Bermuda, and is -in some place where she thinks her life is -in danger. Before she ran away, she did -something to assist in some plot against her -country (which must be Bermuda), and probably -that's one reason why she is in danger. -Maybe something's been discovered about it. -She's staying with a Madame M., and it seems -to be a house of mystery.</p> - -<p>"One thing I have pretty well guessed, and -probably so have you all—that this must have -happened a long time ago. Her language -isn't very—well, modern—sounds to me like -stories I've read about old England, and -America too in former times. I think it's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">67</a></span> -likely she's in one of those two countries when -she writes—probably England, because she -speaks of '<i>Madame M.</i>' and '<i>Lady Blank</i>,' and -those titles don't somehow go with America. -Then there's something strange about a sapphire -signet. But go on now, Margaret! -Maybe you've discovered something new!"</p> - -<p>Margaret smiled mysteriously. "Perhaps -just a <i>few</i> things!" she admitted. "Here's -where we left off. I've copied it all from the -beginning. You remember where she tells -about explaining the signet later? Now I'll -go on:</p> - - -<blockquote> -<p>"There is something strange and evil about this -house. I can trust no one. Especially do I mistrust -the steward. He hath a sleek smile and ingratiating -manners, but he is wicked to the heart of -him. He associates much with one Corbie, who keeps -the tavern down the road hard by the woods. Corbie -has been to this house, and once was closeted long -with the steward. When he came forth to go, he -gazed hard at me as I stood on the lawn. It made -me shudder for an hour afterward."</p> -</blockquote> - - -<p>"That's the first name she has mentioned—'Corbie,'" -interrupted Corinne. "Let's remember<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">68</a></span> -it. Who knows but it may help -us?"</p> - -<p>"There's another coming right away," -added Margaret, "though I don't know -whether it will be of any help or not.</p> - - -<blockquote> -<p>"But one thing has happened lately to cheer me. -Two nights ago I went to my room, which does not -look toward the river, but toward the back of the -house. I was minded to retire early, having naught -to occupy me through the long evening. Madame M. -retires at nine, but I never see her after the evening -meal. She is usually in conference with the steward, -who has chief charge of the affairs of this great -house. She appears to place much confidence in him. -But that is not to the point.</p> - -<p>"I had opened my window and was leaning out a -moment when I heard a softly whistled tune, and knew -that H. was there. For the tune he ever whistles is -'The Lass of Richmond Hill,' which he declared, when -first he brought me here, was right appropriate to -me now."</p> -</blockquote> - - -<p>"I wonder why?" queried Jess.</p> - -<p>"I can't imagine," answered Corinne; "'lass' -she certainly is, but what has 'Richmond Hill' -to do with it? What <i>is</i> 'Richmond Hill,' and -where?"</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">69</a></span></p> - -<p>"Mother has a friend who lives in Richmond -Hill, Long Island," ventured Bess.</p> - -<p>"Oh, <i>that</i> can't be it!" declared Corinne, -scornfully. "That's only a little new suburb -that's hardly been in existence thirty years! -It has nothing whatever to do with this! And -I wonder who 'H.' is, too. Well, go on, Margaret."</p> - -<p>Margaret obediently continued:</p> - - -<blockquote> -<p>"At hearing him, my heart did beat gladly, for he -is the one person I have seen who reminds me of home. -I leaned far out and called to him softly, and presently -he threw into my window a letter weighted with -a stone. It said he and his uncle had not been back -to Bermuda, nor would they dare to go for many a -long day. One of their traitorous sailors had divulged -the plot, and the authorities were wild only to -lay hands on them. This they had learned in roundabout -fashion. They had been cruising along the -coast lately, and had had not a few adventures. -They were sailing at midnight for parts unknown. -He did but come up hastily to see how I fared, before -they left.</p> - -<p>"In a moment I threw down an answering missive, -telling of my present plight, and begging that he -and his uncle would take me back to Bermuda should -they ever be sailing there again. That was all I had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">70–72</a></span> -time for, since he knew he dared not linger. He went -away silently into the night. 'Twas brave of him -to come, since he knows it would be ill for him to be -seen hereabout, now that so much seems to have been -discovered."</p> -</blockquote> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/i_071.jpg" alt="Gazing" /> - <div class="caption"> - <span class="small">"He gazed hard at me as I stood on the lawn"</span> - </div> -</div> - -<p>Margaret paused here and half whispered: -"Hold your breath now, girls! We're coming -to the <i>sapphire signet</i>!" Then she went -on with the reading:</p> - - -<blockquote> -<p>"I must now explain about the sapphire signet. -Night after night I lie awake and ask myself why I -ever took it—why I was ever tempted to add this -mistake to the rest of my misdoings. At the time it -seemed no wrong,—nay, it seemed entirely <i>right</i> that -I should take with me what Grandfather has so often -said was mine, though he deemed it safer not to allow -me to have it in my keeping till I should come of age.</p> - -<p>"'Tis such a pretty bauble—this wonderful blue -stone larger than my thumb-nail, with our family -crest graved on it and set all round the edge with -tiny, sparkling diamonds. Grandfather told me that -the sapphire was once in a great ring, and from generation -to generation had been handed down to the -eldest son of the family. He said, moreover, that it -ever should have remained a ring; that 'twas a crime -it should have been changed. But 'twas my mother's -whim that it should be taken from the ring, set round<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">73</a></span> -with diamonds, and made into an ornament for her -neck. He said that once, when they were in London -not long after their marriage, she wheedled my father -into having it changed, and came home to Bermuda -with the jewel hanging from a slender chain about -her white throat. And Grandfather was filled with -wrath at her and never forgave her. Had I been a -boy, he says, he would have had the stone reset in a -ring. But since the only heir to it is a girl, he has -allowed it to remain thus, and once scornfully told -me that 'twas 'as useless now as I was,' and might -as well so remain.</p> - -<p>"On rare occasions, Grandfather has let me wear -it—once to a grand tea-drinking at St. George's, -where 'twas much admired. But mainly he has kept -it in his great strong box. It seemed no harm that -day for me to take it. The box stood invitingly -open. The jewel was really mine, and I possessed -no other ornament. Even then I realized that I -might never see my home or Grandfather again. So -I took it—Heaven forgive me!—thinking it no wrong. -But I have come to feel differently since. In these -long, lonely months, when I have had so much time -to think and to regret, I can see how this act of mine -must appear to Grandfather and to all who know -me. Even though it was in effect my own, it was still -in his keeping, and I should never have taken it without -his consent. I dare not even wonder what he -must think of me, and I live only for the opportunity -to return home and place the signet in his hands.</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">74</a></span></p> - -<p>"From the very first I have never dared openly to -wear the beautiful thing; and since my conscience began -to trouble me, I have never wished to. Long -since, I removed it from its velvet riband and concealed -it. Nor must I, even here, disclose where it is -hidden. To do so would be neither safe nor wise. -Suffice it that I will never more wear the bauble till -I have restored it to its rightful keeper, my grandfather."</p> -</blockquote> - - -<p>Margaret paused again, and there was a -blissful sigh from all her assembled listeners.</p> - -<p>"Isn't it the most fascinating thing—this -sapphire signet business?" exclaimed Corinne, -at last. "I can just imagine how the poor girl -felt. She hadn't meant any harm in taking -it—it had seemed perfectly <i>right</i>. And then -her conscience got to troubling her till she -hadn't a peaceful minute! But where in the -world could she have hidden it? Does it tell -later on, Margaret?"</p> - -<p>"Not that I've discovered as yet, but there -are a lot of other interesting things—"</p> - -<p>"Go on, go on then!" chorused the waiting -three, impatient of anything that broke the -thread of the story.</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">75</a></span></p> - -<p>"Well, the next seems to be written some -time later, but I can't tell how much. This is -something like a diary, only she doesn't put -down any dates. She just seems to leave -spaces between the different entries. It's -kind of confusing. Now she says:</p> - - -<blockquote> -<p>"A strange thing happened last night. At midnight -I awoke. I heard confused sounds on the road -without. Carts creaking by, men shouting and -calling, women crying, and children screaming as -with fright. The sounds continued till near morning. -An endless procession of carts and coaches. -'Twould seem as though the whole city were in flight. -'Twas odd to hear so much racket in this quiet region.</p> - -<p>"To-day the whole household is in agitation. Fear -seems to have seized on all. The servants are in a -panic. Only the steward seems undisturbed. Madame -M. is calm in manner, but I can see that she is -much perturbed inwardly."</p> -</blockquote> - - -<p>"What in the world could have been happening?" -demanded Bess. "She speaks of the -'city.' I wonder what city, and what was the -matter? Why should every one be leaving it?"</p> - -<p>"I've been thinking all along that she was -somewhere in England," suggested Corinne,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">76</a></span> -"though I can't imagine what part. Anyway—"</p> - -<p>"Wait!" cried Margaret. "Why don't you -let me go on?"</p> - -<p>"That's so!" agreed Corinne. "It's foolish -not to see what's coming before we try to make -sense of it. Go on!"</p> - -<p>Margaret continued. "Next she says:</p> - - -<blockquote> -<p>"Some of the servants left yesterday. I now know -the cause. The rebels are threatening to take possession -of the city. Ships filled with soldiers stand -in the waters near by. 'Tis feared there will be a -great battle soon. Madame M. is very ill. She has -taken to her bed. I think great fear has made her -so—and great anger. She is being cared for by the -housekeeper, Mistress Phœbe. I have come to like -Mistress Phœbe. She is the one soul who treats me -with kindness unfailing. She, too, hates the steward. -She told me so. She and the steward and one other -servant are all that are left here now. The rest have -fled. Would that the steward had fled also! He -seems to have some urgent reason for remaining. He -has had another interview with Corbie, in this house."</p> -</blockquote> - - -<p>"Wait a minute!" interrupted Corinne, once -more. "I have an idea. I am going to put -down on a paper every name she mentions, no<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">77</a></span> -matter how insignificant, and see if they will -lead us to any sort of a clue. <i>Names</i> are -about the only clues for finding out things, -when you come to think of it!" She hunted in -her bag for a pencil and notebook. Then she -continued:</p> - -<p>"Now, there's 'Bermuda'—that was the -first, and the only real definite thing we've discovered -yet—and 'London.' Then there's -'Madame M.,' which doesn't help much. And -'Lady Blank' is no good at all, nor is 'H.' -'Corbie' may be useful, but I don't think Mistress -Phœbe' will—and that's all, I guess."</p> - -<p>"No, it isn't," contradicted Margaret. -"You forgot the 'Lass of Richmond Hill'!"</p> - -<p>"True enough! Of course that's only the -name of a song, but I'll put it down. Who -knows but what it <i>may</i> be the most important -of all! I have a book of old songs at home, -and I have just a faint idea that there's one -of that name in it. I'll hunt it up to-night. -But as usual, it's late, and I must be hurrying -along. Haven't you read about all you've -puzzled out, Margaret?"</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">78</a></span></p> - -<p>"I've done another entry," replied Margaret, -slowly and mysteriously, "and perhaps -you'd better hear it. It may be worth your -while!"</p> - -<p>"Oh, what is it?" cried Corinne, pausing in -the act of adjusting her hat. "Quick!"</p> - -<p>"Here it is:</p> - - -<blockquote> -<p>"Madame M. sent for me to-day. 'Tis the first -time since she took to her bed. She did so to give -me this strange warning. These be her very words: -'It is rumored that this house may soon be taken possession -of by rebels. If so, I wish you to have no -communication with any of them, Mistress Alison."</p> -</blockquote> - - -<p>There was an instant's silence. Then Corinne -threw her hat on a chair and exclaimed:</p> - -<p>"Hurrah! At <i>last</i> we have this mysterious -lassie's name! It's <i>Alison</i>! That's the biggest -discovery yet. Is there any more?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, one thing," answered Margaret, "the -strangest of all. It's a later entry and is only -three words long—the first word twice underlined:</p> - - -<blockquote> -<p>"<span class="doubleUnderline">He</span> has come!"</p> -</blockquote> - - - -<hr /> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">79</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER VI<br /> -<span class="small">A SURPRISE</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="drop"><span class="uppercase">The</span> girls got together again on the following -afternoon, for they could not possibly -have stretched their patience to the limit of -another day! Margaret had promised to work -like a Trojan till they arrived and to have -much to read to them. It was with breathless -interest that they drew their chairs around her.</p> - -<p>"My! I couldn't study a thing, or keep -my mind off this a single minute to-day in -school!" sighed Jess. "I guess I failed in -every blessed recitation."</p> - -<p>"Me too!" echoed Bess. "If this suspense -doesn't come to an end soon, I'll be a failure -for the term!"</p> - -<p>"Same here!" agreed Corinne. "I do envy -Margaret, for she at least can be working at -it all day and satisfying her curiosity. Have -you discovered much more, honey?" Margaret<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">80</a></span> -smiled her slow, mysterious smile. She -was certainly enjoying herself, in a brand-new -fashion these days. And between meetings -she guarded her secrets like a veritable sphinx.</p> - -<p>"Something's happening right along!" she -answered enigmatically. "But I've rather a -surprise for you to-day."</p> - -<p>"What is it?" they demanded in one voice.</p> - -<p>"I sha'n't tell you till we come to it!" was -her maddening reply. "Shall I go on now?"</p> - -<p>"Just a minute," said Corinne. "I want to -say that I looked up that old song last night. -In this collection I have, there is given a little -history of each song. Now, 'The Lass of -Richmond Hill' was written about a young -girl, a Miss Janson, who lived on Richmond -Hill, which is near the little town of Leybourne, -in England. It was written way back -about 1770, and the song was said to be a -favorite of King George the Third. It was -quite popular at the time. That's absolutely -all about it. Of course, it's possible that place -may be the one where Alison was, but somehow -I don't feel very sure of it. I rather think that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">81</a></span> -what she says about 'Richmond Hill' must have -some other connection. Now go on, Margaret!"</p> - -<p>"Very well," began Margaret. "We left -off with the words, '<i>He</i> has come!' <i>He</i> seems -to be a very mysterious person, and some one -of great importance evidently. She goes on -to say:</p> - - -<blockquote> -<p>"The house has been put at his disposal. Not, -however, by Madame M., for she would gladly slam -the door in his face were she able, but she is still in -bed, ill. He is very considerate, and does naught to -disturb or annoy her. His servants and men are all -about, but they do not molest any of the household. -Phœbe remains the housekeeper and caters for him. -She adores him, as does her father, so she tells me.</p> - -<p>"I have exchanged no words with him. I have -only seen him as he sits in the library or walks about -the grounds. He is absent much—away in the city, -Phœbe says. He is handsome and grave and stern, -but I think he is kind and gentle. I long to speak -with him, but I dare not. I am too carefully -watched.</p> - -<p>"The steward is still here, and frequents much Corbie's -tavern. He asked me yesterday a few questions -about Bermuda. I did not care to have speech -with him so I cut him short. He gave me an ugly -look as he walked away."</p> -</blockquote> - - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">82</a></span></p> - -<p>Margaret stopped here to say, "Now comes -something exciting!"</p> - -<p>The listening three sighed ecstatically.</p> - - -<blockquote> -<p>"There have been strange doings in this house. I -have now turned spy myself. Last night at a late -hour, when all the household was asleep, I heard -stealthy footsteps passing my door. The sound was -most unusual, for <i>he</i> was away in the city, and there -was consequently no guard. When the footsteps -were past, I rose, opened my door, and peeped out. -I saw the steward. He was tiptoeing softly down the -hall toward the stairs, a candle in his hand. A sudden -resolve seized me. I would follow him in the -dark, and see what he did. I felt sure he planned -some evil. I seized a dark-colored shawl, drew it -round me, and, in the shadow, crept after the light -of his candle.</p> - -<p>"Down the stairs he went, and I felt sure he would -pause on the lower floor and perchance enter <i>his</i> room -to rifle it. I crouched on the stair and held my -breath, but he passed on and opened a door which -gives on the stone steps leading to the wine-cellar. -Once he glanced back suspiciously, then the door -closed behind him. As soon as I dared, I followed. -Opening the door with the greatest caution, I peered -down. His back was toward me, and he was drinking -from an upturned bottle. In a moment he put the -bottle back on its shelf and stood long in thought.</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">83</a></span></p> - -<p>"I was about to conclude that this was all he had -come for and that my fears were for naught, when he -turned aside, took a knife from his pocket, and went -toward the far end of the cellar, leaving the stairway -in heavy shadow. Taking advantage of this, I crept -down the steps and watched him from the shelter of -one of the pillars that supported the floor above. In -a moment he stopped, raised his hand, and felt along -the great beam above his head. I noted 'twas the -second beam from the end. At a distance of about -ten feet from the wall he pushed his knife-blade into -the timber, and, behold! something like a small door -fell open!</p> - -<p>"Into the aperture thus left he thrust his two -hands, and drew forth a small iron box. This he -placed on the ground near the candle, and pressing a -spring, threw back the lid. It seemed to be filled -with papers, and with something else that shone in the -candle-light. The latter, I soon learned, was a mass -of golden coins, for he plunged in his hand, took out -a fistful, and put them in a small leather bag he carried. -Then he closed the box, put it back in the hollow -space, and shut the door of the secret opening in -the beam. I stayed to see no more, but fled hastily -to my room. 'Tis all most strange. What hides -he in this secret place? Whose gold is that? What -evil does he plot?</p> -</blockquote> - - -<p>"Isn't that the most exciting thing you ever -heard?" demanded Margaret, breaking off.</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">84</a></span></p> - -<p>"Frightfully exciting!" agreed every one.</p> - -<p>"It's like an adventure in a book—only better!" -added Corinne. "But, Margaret, is <i>that</i> -the surprise you had for us?"</p> - -<p>"No, it isn't! That's coming just a little -later. The next entry says:</p> - - -<blockquote> -<p>"<i>She</i> has come! <i>He</i> seems most glad to have his -lady with him once more. I have not yet spoken -with her. She has only passed me, bowing with -stately courtesy. I think she has forgotten how I -once spoke with her. No wonder. Her mind is filled -with anxious care. Madame M. is still confined to -her bed, and knows not that <i>she</i> is here. I think -Madame M. is truly right ill."</p> -</blockquote> - - -<p>"<i>She</i> must be <i>his</i> wife, I suppose," interrupted -Bess. "I do wish Alison would call -'em by their names! This is so confusing!"</p> - -<p>Margaret only stopped long enough to say: -"Now, the surprise is coming. This is the -next entry:</p> - - -<blockquote> -<p>"<i>He</i> passed me in the hall to-day and wished me a -good morning in his grave, courtly fashion. Then he -inquired after the health of Madame M., and offered -to send her up some fruit that he had just received -for his table. I knew not what to say. I was right<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">85</a></span> -embarrassed. For Madame M. will accept naught -from him, and—"</p> -</blockquote> - - -<p>Margaret stopped short.</p> - -<p>"Go on, go on!" they chorused.</p> - -<p>"I can't!" she answered.</p> - -<p>"Why not?" they inquired in wonder.</p> - -<p>"Because that's <i>all there is</i>!" she replied -quietly. "We've come to the end. That's -the surprise I had for you!"</p> - -<p>"Well, I never!" ejaculated Bess in disgust, -picking up the old account-book and examining -it curiously. The back cover was missing, -and it was not difficult to conjecture that many -pages might also be lacking.</p> - -<p>"That's the <i>queerest</i>!" mused Corinne. -"Of course, the book is rather thin, but I -hadn't imagined that we'd finish it so soon. -Those characters are large, and take up more -room than plain writing, I suppose. But, my -gracious!" She got up and began pacing -around the room impatiently. "This is perfectly -<i>maddening</i>! To have it leave off in -such a place, without a sign of explanation of -it all! Where's the other part of that book?<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">86</a></span> -Could it possibly be in the old trunk where we -found this? Let's go up and see!"</p> - -<p>"No use in doing that," said Jess, "because -Sarah's done exactly what she threatened to—locked -the attic door and hid the key. But -anyhow, I remember distinctly that there -wasn't a sign of anything else under that false -bottom. It was absolutely empty after this -fell out. Wherever the rest is, it isn't there!"</p> - -<p>"Well," exclaimed Corinne, coming to an -abrupt pause in her impatient tramping, -"there's one thing I'm firmly determined -upon! I sha'n't rest day or night till I've -found some sort of an explanation for all this! -Do the rest of you agree with me? It's the -most fascinating mystery I ever came across, -outside of a story-book, and I'm bound I'm -not going to be stumped by any obstacles!"</p> - -<p>"We surely do agree with you!" echoed -Margaret. "We're just as crazy as you are -to unravel it all. And what's an antiquarian -club good for, I'd like to know, if not for -something just like this! That's our business -from now on!"</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">87</a></span></p> - -<p>"The motion's carried!" agreed Bess. -"But how in the world are we going to go -about it? Somehow it seems as if we'd -reached a stone wall a mile high—no getting -around it or over it!"</p> - -<p>"Then we'll tunnel <i>under</i> it!" laughed Corinne. -"But first of all, there's a question -I'd like to settle. Where did that old hair-trunk -come from? How did it get in this -house? Who owned it before you did?"</p> - -<p>"I can answer that," replied Margaret, "for -I asked Mother about it the other night. I -did it in a roundabout sort of way, so she -wouldn't suspect why I wanted to know or -think it queer that I asked. She said it belonged -to Father. He told her once that a -friend of his, a sea-captain, had given it to him -years ago. The captain said it was an heirloom -that had been in the family many years. -An ancestor of his had found it in a vessel -that had been wrecked, and had been floating -around for several months—a 'derelict,' -Mother called it. This old captain said it was -so handy and substantial that he had carried<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">88</a></span> -it with him on all his voyages. But as he -wasn't going to sail any more, and hadn't any -children to leave it to, he gave it to Father."</p> - -<p>"Well, at least it explains one thing—how -this strange book came to be in your house," -mused Corinne. "But it doesn't help a bit -about unraveling the rest of the mystery, after -all. Now, the next thing is to go over all this -writing carefully, and see if we can find anything -we've overlooked that might be a clue. -Oh, girls, I wish you'd let me show this to -Father! He'd be <i>so</i> interested, and perhaps -he could help us with it, too!"</p> - -<p>"Well, as far is I'm concerned, you're welcome -to," answered Bess, and Jess nodded her -head vigorously in assent. But Margaret -cried out pleadingly:</p> - -<p>"Oh, no, no, Corinne! Don't do that yet! -It would spoil all our lovely secret society to -have grown folks know about it. Let's wait -awhile and see what we can do ourselves. And -then if we find we can't make any headway, -I'll consent to telling Corinne's father."</p> - -<p>She was so earnest and so pathetic in her appeal,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">89</a></span> -that not one of the others had the heart -to deny her request, knowing, as they did, what -the little club and its absorbingly interesting -secret meant to her shut-in, circumscribed life.</p> - -<p>"Very well, honey! We will do just as you -say!" agreed Corinne, giving her a hug. -"Now let's read this whole thing over, and see -if we can unearth a clue."</p> - -<p>They started once more at the beginning, -reading slowly and thoughtfully through the -strange record till they came again to the allusion -"The Lass of Richmond Hill." Suddenly -Margaret interrupted:</p> - -<p>"I've thought of something! I lay awake -a good part of last night, because my back was -hurting me, and I had a chance to think of -things rather hard. And then, some things -we unearthed to-day and what Corinne found -out about that old song made this idea pop into -my head just now. You remember she said -the song was written about 1770 and was a -favorite of George the Third? That made me -think of the Revolution. And then I suddenly -remembered what Alison had said about<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">90</a></span> -'rebels.' Girls, you can take my word for it—all -this thing happened right here in America, -and during the Revolutionary War! Can't -you see it?"</p> - -<p>Corinne sat up very straight for a moment. -Then she burst out:</p> - -<p>"We're a pack of <i>lunatics</i>—all but Margaret. -She's the only one that's got a grain -of common sense! Of <i>course</i> it was during -the Revolution—every other word Alison says -points to it! And that being the case, the -rest is easy! Good-by! I'm going straight -home to look up Revolutionary history!"</p> - -<p>And flinging on her hat and coat, without -further ceremony of farewell, she was off, -leaving the three staring speechlessly after -her!</p> - - - - -<hr /> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">91</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER VII<br /> -<span class="small">THE DISCOVERIES CORINNE MADE</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="drop"><span class="uppercase">Corinne</span> did not reappear for nearly a -week. During all that time the twins, -who only saw her in school, reported that she -would have nothing to say to them outside of -this statement:</p> - -<p>"Let me alone, girls, just for a while. I'm -working hard at it. When I've run to earth -something worth while, I'll tell you, and we'll -have another meeting!" And that was absolutely -all they could get from her.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, Margaret was passing the slow -days in a fever of impatience and baffled expectation. -Now that she no longer had her -mind occupied by puzzling out the curious old -journal and could only sit and wait for the -results of Corinne's work, she grew terribly -restless. So much so, indeed, that the lynx-eyed -Sarah, who watched her beloved charge -like a cat, made up her mind that Margaret<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">92</a></span> -was beginning to have symptoms of a real -fever. She prepared, therefore, a huge bowl -of boneset tea to be taken in instalments.</p> - -<p>Now, if there was any one thing under the -sun that Margaret hated more than another, -it was boneset tea! And, moreover, in this -case she knew that there was absolutely no need -of the remedy. But this she dared not confide -to Sarah lest she awaken fresh suspicion in -that handmaiden's already too suspicious mind. -So she swallowed her bitter doses uncomplainingly, -and longed for Corinne's coming for -more reasons than one!</p> - -<p>And then at last, six days later, Corinne -came flying home with the twins one afternoon, -and all three burst in unexpectedly on the delighted -Margaret. Corinne was armed with a -load of volumes that were plainly not school-books, -and these she planked down on the floor -beside the invalid-chair with just one brief remark:</p> - -<p>"<i>I've got it!</i>"</p> - -<p>Questions and inquiries were hurled at her -thick and fast, but not one of them would she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">93</a></span> -answer till all were seated about Margaret's -chair in the usual half-circle by the open fire. -Then she began quietly, but with much suppressed -excitement in her voice:</p> - -<p>"Yes, girls, I've got it—at last! I'm going -to tell you all about it, and you're going -to have the surprise of your lives! It took me -a long while before I struck just the right clue. -I've spent about every afternoon reading at -the library near us. I even went up to the big -one at Forty-second Street yesterday. And -every evening at home has found me still digging -at it. I've neglected my school work -completely, and have failed in everything this -week; but I don't care!</p> - -<p>"Margaret's a trump! She put us all on -the right track in the first place by sensibly -suggesting the Revolution. That was fine! -But, of course, the subject was a big one and -concerned the whole thirteen original colonies. -In thinking it over, I decided that since Alison -came from Bermuda, the 'city' she keeps speaking -of would most likely be the <i>nearest</i> one to -Bermuda. On looking it up, I found the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">94</a></span> -nearest was Charleston, South Carolina. So -I started in and hunted up every bit of Revolutionary -history I could find about Charleston, -but never a thing did I strike that helped a -bit.</p> - -<p>"Then I gave that up and tried another city. -As there didn't seem to be any very likely -places south of Charleston, I turned north and -tried Richmond, Baltimore and Philadelphia. -Not a single thing in any one of them that -threw a ray of light on our troubles! Finally, -I began on New York—and hit it right away!" -Her listeners gave a little jump. "Yes, right -here in old New York. And come to think of -it, that <i>was</i> the most likely place, after all, and -I might have saved myself all that other -bother, if only I'd used a little common sense!"</p> - -<p>"But how did you know right away that it -was New York?" demanded Margaret.</p> - -<p>"Why, the simplest thing in the world! -Almost the first thing I came across, in reading -up about New York during the Revolution, -was about a place called—<i>Richmond -Hill</i>!"</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">95</a></span></p> - -<p>"What? Where?" they all cried in one -breath.</p> - -<p>"Yes, Richmond Hill! It was the name of -a big mansion and estate outside of the city, -and was a very famous place in its time."</p> - -<p>"But how did you know it had anything to -do with Alison?" they demanded incredulously.</p> - -<p>"Well, just about twenty things pointed to -it without a doubt. I'll tell you all about it. -In the first place, I read that this mansion was -built in 1760 by the paymaster-general of the -British army, and his name was—<i>Abraham -Mortier</i>!"</p> - -<p>She stopped significantly, but no one seemed -to catch her meaning till Margaret suddenly -cried:</p> - -<p>"Madame M.!"</p> - -<p>"Precisely!" said Corinne. "I wondered if -you'd catch it. 'Madame M.' must have been -Madame Mortier, his wife, of course!"</p> - -<p>"But Alison didn't say anything about -<i>Abraham</i> Mortier," objected Bess.</p> - -<p>"That's just it,—she didn't, because Madame -Mortier was then a widow. Her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">96</a></span> -husband died quite suddenly, just at the outbreak -of the war. So <i>that's</i> accounted for. -And don't you remember that Alison said -Madame M. allowed the steward to transact -all the business of the household. She -wouldn't be doing that if her husband were -alive! Well, except for that, I couldn't find -out another thing about the Mortiers. History -doesn't mention them again. But it tells -a lot about other things we're interested in. -To begin with, after the siege of Boston, Washington -came to New York, and was there -several months. Now then, while he was in -the city, he made his headquarters at—Richmond -Hill! What does that suggest to you?"</p> - -<p>Again they all looked blank for a moment, -and once more Margaret was first to catch the -idea.</p> - -<p>"I've got it! Washington is the 'he' that -Alison says so much about but never names!"</p> - -<p>"Right!" cried Corinne.</p> - -<p>"How do you know?" clamored the less astute -twins.</p> - -<p>"This way," explained Corinne, "Everything<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">97</a></span> -that Alison says about 'him' tallies with -the descriptions of Washington—'grave, courteous, -stately, kindly, thoughtful.' There -isn't a shadow of doubt! She speaks of his -servants and men and guards. Only a commander-in-chief -would be likely to have all that -retinue."</p> - -<p>Suddenly Jess, who had been deep in -thought, interrupted: "But, see here! If it -was Washington, why did Madame M. act so -hateful about him? Alison said if she hadn't -been sick, she'd have gladly slammed the door -in his face. I don't understand it!"</p> - -<p>"Oh, that's <i>easy</i>! Madame Mortier was, -without doubt, a <i>Tory</i>! You know, New -York was full of Tories at the time, and they -hated Washington and all the rebels like—like -poison!"</p> - -<p>"But I still don't understand," insisted Jess, -"how, if Madame Mortier was a Tory and -hated Washington so, he should come to be -using her house for his headquarters. I don't -wonder she was furious!"</p> - -<p>"I thought of that too," said Corinne, "and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">98</a></span> -it seemed strange to me; but, from what I've -read, I think it was this way: he had to have -his headquarters somewhere while he was in -New York, and just at first he had them way -down in the lower part of the city, in the Kennedy -house. But later he wanted to get outside -of the city for some reason; perhaps it was -on account of one of those plagues of smallpox -or yellow fever that were always breaking out -there. Then, of course, there were so few -houses outside that he had to take anything he -could find that was suitable. So he chose -Richmond Hill, and Lady Washington followed -him there later."</p> - -<p>"How do you know?" again demanded the -ever-skeptical listeners.</p> - -<p>"Well, didn't Alison say, just toward the -last, that 'his lady' had come?"</p> - -<p>"True enough!" assented Jess. "And that -makes me think of something else. Was that -the 'Lady Blank' she spoke of first, do you -think?"</p> - -<p>"Without doubt, for she even says, 'I do not -think she remembers me.' But where or how<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">99</a></span> -she met her before, I haven't had time to work -out. Anyhow, it explains why Madame Mortier -began to be suspicious of Alison. Of -course she would be if she was such a staunch -Tory and found Alison talking to the wife of -her worst enemy!</p> - -<p>"But here's something very important, and -it's the <i>real</i> proof of the whole thing. The -rest was just rather easy guesswork. Do you -know, while Washington was at Richmond -Hill, that summer of 1776, the Tories in the -city got up a big plot to kill him, blow up his -fortifications, massacre all his soldiers, and -spoil everything for the Americans? <i>And</i>—it -very nearly was accomplished, only some one -discovered it and gave the whole thing away. -<i>That's</i> the plot, evidently, which was brewing -when Alison felt that something strange and -mysterious was going on. And here's my -positive proof: one of the chief conspirators -in the plot was a man who kept a tavern near -the edge of the woods close to Washington's -headquarters, and his name was—<i>Corbie</i>!"</p> - -<p>"Didn't we <i>say</i> that name would be of great<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">100</a></span> -help?" cried Margaret, excitedly. "Why, all -this seems like a fairy story coming true! Is -there anything else, Corinne?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, there's one other thing. But before -I tell you, I'm curious to know why you -haven't asked one question."</p> - -<p>"What?"</p> - -<p>"Why, the exact location of Richmond Hill. -You haven't exhibited the least curiosity about -that!"</p> - -<p>"But you said it was outside of the city somewhere," -put in Bess, "and I suppose it was up -around Fordham or West Farms, or even -White Plains. It must have been pretty far -out."</p> - -<p>Corinne laughed. "Do you realize that the -'city' only extended to about City Hall Park -in those days? And all beyond that was out -in the country! No, Richmond Hill was <i>right -here in Greenwich Village</i>!"</p> - -<p>They all stared at her in such frank amazement -that she broke into a giggle.</p> - -<p>"Perhaps you think that's rather astonishing, -but I've something to say that's even<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">101</a></span> -more so. I told you I'd give you the surprise -of your lives, and here it is: the exact spot -where the Richmond Hill mansion stood was—<i>just -about where this house stands now</i>!"</p> - - - - -<hr /> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">102</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER VIII<br /> -<span class="small">BAFFLED!</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="drop"><span class="uppercase">If</span> Corinne thought to create a sensation by -her last disclosure, she was gratified beyond -her wildest expectations. It was not, however, -what they all <i>said</i> (for they were rendered -literally speechless by surprise), but the -way they <i>looked</i> that caused her to go almost -into hysterics of laughter. If she had informed -them that there was a lighted bomb about to -go off in the cellar, they could not have assumed -more open-mouthed, startled expressions!</p> - -<p>"Oh, don't look so stunned!" she panted, at -length, weak with laughter. "It won't hurt -you!"</p> - -<p>"But—b-but—" stammered Margaret, and -at last brought out the eternal question, "how—how -do you know?"</p> - -<p>"The way I know is this, and in order to -explain it, I might as well tell you the whole<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">103</a></span> -history of the place. It won't take long, and -it will make you understand better. We know -how Richmond Hill began, so I won't go over -that. After the battle of Long Island and -Washington's retreat from New York, we -don't hear a thing about it till the end of the -war. About that time it was the headquarters -of the British general, Sir Guy Carleton. -After the war, when Washington became -President and New York the capital, Richmond -Hill was taken by Vice-President John -Adams as his residence till the capital was removed -to Washington.</p> - -<p>"Then Aaron Burr took it, lived there a -number of years, improved the place a lot, and -made the grounds very beautiful. I must tell -you right now that the place was a <i>hill</i> at that -time, about a hundred feet high, and had a -fine view over the Hudson. The river was -nearer too, just a few feet beyond Greenwich -Street. That hardly seems possible, for it's -blocks farther off now. But in later years they -filled it in and made a lot more space to build -on, and that has moved the river banks farther<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">104</a></span> -away. Well, Burr lived here with his wife -and a lovely little daughter, Theodosia, till -after he killed Hamilton in the duel. Then -he had to give the place up, and it was sold.</p> - -<p>"After that, a number of different people -lived there till 1817. Then the city began to -reach up this way, and they decided to put -regular streets through here and make city -blocks. Of course they couldn't leave a high -hill like that standing, so they leveled it and -lowered the house gradually to the street, and -it stood somewhere right about here. I can't -make out the <i>very</i> spot, for some books say -it was on the north side of Charlton Street, -and others, on the south side. And one even -said it faced on Varick Street. But anyway, -right near this spot it stood; and as no one -seemed to want such a big place for a residence -any more, it became a sort of hotel or tavern.</p> - -<p>"Then, some one else bought it and turned -it into a theater, and for several years it was -called the Richmond Hill Theater. But it -wasn't very successful, so after a while it was -sold again, and this time became a menagerie<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">105</a></span> -and circus. Later it was turned into a tavern -again. But at last, in 1849, it was so old and -rickety that they tore it down and put up these -nice little houses over the place where it stood. -That's all there is about it. Now are you convinced -that I wasn't crazy?"</p> - -<p>"It seems too wonderful to be true!" sighed -Margaret. "To think we're living right on -the spot where all these strange things happened -to Alison! I can scarcely believe I'm -not asleep and dreaming all this. But, oh, -there are so many questions I want to ask! -For instance, I can't yet understand how it was -that if Madame Mortier was a Tory, Washington -could have his headquarters at her house. -Couldn't she have forbidden it?"</p> - -<p>"Why, it seems to be this way," answered -Corinne. "In war time then, as well as now, -the army that was occupying a city could do -about as it pleased—used all the houses and -food and so forth that it felt inclined to, -whether the things belonged to the enemy or -not. Sometimes they would pay the people for -them, and sometimes they didn't—just <i>took</i><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">106</a></span> -them. I suppose Washington had to have -headquarters out of town for some reason, and -the only available place was Richmond Hill. -He was probably sorry enough to cause Madame -Mortier any inconvenience, and no doubt -he offered her all reasonable compensation. -For I read in one book that Washington made -it a rule that this should be done whenever it -was necessary to use any one's house or goods. -If she didn't like it, he couldn't help that. -Matters were too serious for him to quibble -about such things.</p> - -<p>"That's my only explanation of your question, -Margaret. But what puzzles me even -more is how did Alison come to be there at all? -Who was she? Why did she leave Bermuda, -and what did she do before she left it that -caused her to be under suspicion?"</p> - -<p>As no one could throw any light on these -mysteries, they all remained silent a moment. -Suddenly Jess, who had been turning the -pages of the blank-book in which Margaret -had copied the journal, broke out with this demand:</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">107</a></span></p> - -<p>"What <i>I'd</i> like to know is the explanation -of this: 'A strange thing happened last night. -At midnight I awoke. I heard confused -sounds on the road without—carts creaking by, -men shouting, women crying, and babies -screaming.' Now what do you suppose it was -all about?"</p> - -<p>"I think I can explain that," answered Corinne, -who seemed literally saturated with historical -information since her recent researches. -"In February of 1776, while Washington was -still besieging the British at Boston, he sent -General Lee down to New York to begin fortifying -it. Lee and his forces arrived in the -city on the very day that Sir Henry Clinton, -the British commander, sailed into the harbor -with a fleet of vessels. Well, the city just -about went into a panic, for every one was certain -there would be a big battle right off! And -the histories say just what Alison did—that -they all began to pack up and move out of the -way as quick as they could, and all night the -roads were filled with carts, and coaches, and -crying women and children. Every one was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">108–110</a></span> -scared to death! It proved to be a false alarm, -for Clinton sailed right off again, and Lee only -tended to the business of fortifying.</p> - -<p>"But, you notice, Alison says that was when -all the servants ran away but two, and Madame -Mortier got sick and went to bed. She -must have been sick a long time, for Washington -didn't get there till April or May, and -she was still in bed then. Perhaps she was -quite an old lady and had had a severe shock. -Maybe she was delicate anyway. And she -evidently must have heard that her house was -to be made use of, because she sent for Alison -and warned her about it, and that she wasn't -to have any communication with the rebels. -Madame Mortier must have been a <i>Tartar</i>!"</p> - -<p>"But tell us more about the plot!" cried Margaret. -"That's the main thing, after all. -How did they intend to kill Washington?"</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/i_109.jpg" alt="Warning" /> - <div class="caption"> - <span class="small">"Madame Mortier warned Allison that she wasn't to have any<br /> communication with the rebels"</span> - </div> -</div> - -<p>"Why, I read in one book that some one was -to put poison in a dish of peas, but somehow -Washington was warned about it ahead of -time and didn't eat them, of course. But he -learned all about the plot, and he had a lot of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">111</a></span> -the conspirators arrested. One of them was -courtmartialed and hanged, as a proof that -such performances didn't pay. I'm glad -<i>somebody</i> was punished for trying to do such -an abominable thing, anyway!"</p> - -<p>"Well, one thing I'm convinced of!" declared -Bess. "That wicked old steward had a -lot to do with the scheme. Don't you think -so?"</p> - -<p>"He certainly must have," agreed Corinne. -"But what do you suppose he was doing down -there in the cellar when Alison saw him that -night, and why did he hide things in that place -in the beam? And what part did Alison take -in the plot, anyway? Isn't it simply distracting -that her journal is torn off right there! -And where <i>can</i> the rest of it be, and why was -it torn at all? And why was this part saved -so carefully? And what became of the sapphire -signet? Seems to me as though I'd go -crazy with all these unanswered questions -pounding away in my brain!"</p> - -<p>Nobody having any solutions to offer, again -they all sat quietly for a while, till Margaret's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">112</a></span> -eye happened to light on the pile of books that -Corinne had laid on the floor.</p> - -<p>"What are those, Corinne?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, they are some books on New York City -history that I got out of the library to read -up. Each one has something about Richmond -Hill in it. And this one even has a picture of -the house. See! here it is."</p> - -<p>They all crowded around her to look. -"What a fine-looking place!" was the general -comment. And Bess added:</p> - -<p>"Does it seem possible that this shabby old -neighborhood ever looked like that delightful -country-place!"</p> - -<p>"It was the most beautiful residence anywhere -around New York for a long while," -said Corinne. "The grounds were fine too, -and the big gateway to the estate was right -where the corner of Spring and Macdougal -streets is now. I thought you might like to -read these books, Margaret, so I brought them -for you. But oh, girls!" she ended; "right -here and now I take the solemn determination -that I will clear up this mystery if it takes me<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">113</a></span> -the rest of my life! I'll never be content till -I know the explanation of it all. And, Margaret, -I want you, if you will, to make a copy -of the journal for me—not the cipher, but the -plain English—so that I can refer to it whenever -I want. Will you?"</p> - -<p>"Indeed I will!" agreed Margaret. "We'll -all help you in every way we can. And here's -something else I've decided on. I'm going to -change your office in this Antiquarian Club, -Corinne, from just plain secretary to Chief Investigator!"</p> - - - - -<hr /> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">114</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER IX<br /> -<span class="small">INTRODUCING ALEXANDER</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="drop"><span class="uppercase">The</span> Antiquarian Club continued to meet -two or three times a week, but for some -time the meetings were not enlivened with any -further discoveries. Corinne grew quieter and -more uncommunicative, Margaret restless and -discontented. And as for the twins, now that -the excitement had subsided and nothing -further on that order appeared to be forthcoming, -they became frankly bored with the proceedings -of their society and were claimed once -more by their basket-ball and tennis-playing -companions.</p> - -<p>Several afternoons Corinne went alone to the -Charlton Street house and sat long with Margaret, -going over and over the old account-book -story. For neither of them did interest -in the matter ever wane. And even though -they appeared to have reached an insurmountable<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">115</a></span> -barrier, it did not utterly discourage them. -The mystery was always there, and the unsolved -riddle proved a constant lure.</p> - -<p>Then one day Corinne came in, accompanied -by the twins, and all seemed in rather high -spirits.</p> - -<p>"What's the news?" demanded Margaret at -once. "Have you discovered something, Corinne?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I have. And while it may not be of -any <i>great</i> help, at least it's another link in the -chain."</p> - -<p>The twins, once more condescending to interest -themselves in the affair, exclaimed: -"Do tell us about it! We cut a basket-ball -match to come home this afternoon!"</p> - -<p>"Well, as I said, it isn't much, but it's something. -Yesterday I was up at the Forty-second -Street Library, browsing around among -the old reference-books on New York City history, -when I suddenly came across this. You -remember, several times Alison spoke about -the housekeeper, 'Mistress Phœbe'? Well, -I've found out who <i>she</i> is!"</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">116</a></span></p> - -<p>"You have!" they chorused.</p> - -<p>"Yes, and I guess it's positive, for two books -mention it. She was Phœbe Fraunces, the -daughter of Sam Fraunces who kept the famous -'Fraunces' Tavern.' The building, by -the way, is still in existence down on Pearl and -Broad Streets. It has been restored to look -just the way it used to, and is the headquarters -of the Sons of the Revolution. Sam Fraunces -was a fine man and a great admirer of Washington—"</p> - -<p>"Yes, Alison said so!" interposed Margaret, -half under breath.</p> - -<p>"—and he was afterward the household steward -for Washington when he lived in New -York as President. One book says Phœbe -played quite a part in the plot—preventing it, -that is! That's all I found out, but it's interesting."</p> - -<p>"It certainly is!" assented Bess, after a moment's -thought, "and it's just one more proof -that we're on the right track. But still I don't -see that it helps very much in finding out what -became of Alison, or anything about her!"</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">117</a></span></p> - -<p>"No, it doesn't!" agreed Corinne ruefully. -"And that's just where it's so disappointing. -But there's this about it. In a puzzle like -this, every little bit helps along. Sometimes, -what really doesn't seem to amount to anything -at all, leads at last to the most important -discovery. For instance, that song—'The -Lass of Richmond Hill.' <i>That</i> didn't impress -us so much when we came across it, yet -it really led to all the discoveries we've made. -I propose that this afternoon we go over the -whole thing again, just as carefully as we can, -and see if there isn't some little clue that we -<i>may</i> have constantly overlooked. Of course, -I've done that by myself dozens of times, and -so has Margaret. But four heads are better -than one! Who knows but <i>this</i> time we may -light on the very thing?"</p> - -<p>She was so hopeful and enthusiastic about it -that they all settled down to the work, reading -over the old diary very slowly and discussing -every point that seemed to offer the least suggestion -of a clue. They had reached the entry -which announced Washington's arrival, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">118</a></span> -were hotly debating the question whether or -not Madame Mortier could be concerned in -the plot against him, when suddenly they were -electrified by hearing the loud crow of a rooster, -coming apparently from the darkness at -the far end of the room. (They had been talking -and reading by the light of the open fire -only.) Every one jumped, and Margaret -caught her hand to her heart. But Bess instantly -recovered herself, darted across the -room, dived behind the curtains, and returned -dragging into the circle a grinning, giggling -small boy.</p> - -<p>"It's Alexander, of course!" was her brief -remark. Her captive was certainly an extraordinary-looking -youngster! Wiry, and -undersized for his age (he was thirteen), he -possessed a snub-nose, a shock of brilliant red -hair, and a quantity of freckles that literally -"snowed under" his grinning countenance. -His appearance was rendered all the more remarkable -by the fact that he had cut a series -of holes in an old, round, soft hat, and his brilliant -hair stuck straight up through these in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">119</a></span> -astonishing red bunches. Not one whit did -he seem to resent the publicity into which his -recent exploit had brought him! Rather did -he appear to glory in the situation.</p> - -<p>"Aren't you ashamed to be eavesdropping -behind the curtains?" demanded Bess, shaking -him by his collar, of which she still retained her -hold.</p> - -<p>Alexander straightened himself and made -this cryptic reply:</p> - -<p>"I don't get yer! But if yer mean piking -off this chinning contest,—no, I ain't!"</p> - -<p>At the foregoing remarkable explosion of -slang, Corinne suddenly went off into a peal of -laughter.</p> - -<p>"Oh, Alexander, you're <i>rich</i>!" she exclaimed. -"I'm glad to make your acquaintance. -Teach me some of that, will you!"</p> - -<p>The boy turned to her with an appreciative -and understanding twinkle in his eye: "Sure -thing! I'll put you wise, any old time!"</p> - -<p>But Jess suddenly broke into this exchange -of amenities. "Do you girls realize what has -happened? Alexander Corwin has been listening<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">120</a></span> -to all the proceedings of our secret society, -and now he knows just as much as we -do! Oh, I could <i>scalp</i> you!" she ended, making -a sudden dart at her cousin, who, though -still in the grasp of Bess, ducked and evaded -her. There had been unceasing warfare between -Alexander and the twins ever since he -came to reside with them. He teased them unmercifully, -and they sought frantically, and -always in vain, to retaliate. There seemed -nothing they could devise that affected him in -the slightest. This, the most recent outrage, -constituted to them, therefore, the last straw! -Suddenly Margaret intervened:</p> - -<p>"Wait a minute! Maybe Alec wasn't <i>really</i> -trying to overhear what we said. Perhaps he -only meant to give us a scare. How about it, -Alec?"</p> - -<p>"You got the right dope!" affirmed the -young rascal. "D'ye think I'd waste my valuable -time listening to the chatter of a lot of -Sadies? Nix on that! I just crept in there -to give the glad whoop and raise you out of -your chairs!"</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">121</a></span></p> - -<p>Alexander never teased Margaret. Her -pathetic confinement to her invalid-chair appealed -to his rowdy little soul, and between -them there had always been an unspoken compact -of peace.</p> - -<p>"But how much <i>did</i> you hear?" reiterated -Jess.</p> - -<p>"Well, I couldn't help getting wise to -<i>some</i>!" admitted Alexander wickedly, conscious -that this same admission was gall and -wormwood to the souls of the twins. "Heard -a lot of stuff about finding a book in our attic, -and George Washington, and a swell guy -called Madame something-or-other and some -kind of a dinky sapphire thing, and a kid called -Alison. Say! she must have been <i>some</i> girl! -But, gosh!—you needn't think I <i>wanted</i> to -hear it! I was only waiting for the chance to -give you the merry ha-ha!"</p> - -<p>Dismay fell once more on the circle. Bess -had now released him, and he stood upright, -jammed his hands in his pockets, and grinned -on them with a curious mixture of triumph, -defiance, and pure impishness. It was Corinne<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">122</a></span> -who became suddenly inspired with a -brilliant idea.</p> - -<p>"Look here, girls! I vote that we make -Alexander a member of the club! What do -you say?"</p> - -<p>"Gee! I don't <i>want</i> to be!" exclaimed the -boy in a panic, making a sudden dive to escape.</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes you would, if you knew all about -it! Wouldn't he, Margaret? It's just the -kind of thing a boy would go crazy about. -There's so much <i>adventure</i> in it!"</p> - -<p>At the word "adventure," Alexander -pricked up his ears.</p> - -<p>"What's a lot of <i>girls</i> got to do with adventures?" -he inquired skeptically.</p> - -<p>"Just wait till you hear!" declared Corinne, -and Margaret seconded her with:</p> - -<p>"Oh, dear, Alec, you'll just go wild over -this! And it ought to have a boy in it, too! -Oughtn't it, girls?" But the twins remained -obdurate. To allow their declared enemy to -share their most cherished secret seemed to -them the height of madness. But while Margaret<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">123</a></span> -was reasoning with Alexander, Corinne -whispered to them:</p> - -<p>"You'd better do it, I tell you! He knows -too much already, and you don't know but what -he might give the whole thing away to Sarah -sometime!" And this final argument brought -them speedily round to her point of view.</p> - -<p>"All right!" they agreed. "Alexander, you -can become a member of our secret society if -you want to, and Corinne will tell you all about -it."</p> - -<p>And Alexander, his curiosity now thoroughly -aroused, offered no further objection to -the honor thus thrust upon him.</p> - -<p>Corinne undertook to explain the whole matter -to him, showed him their discovery, explained -how they had deciphered the code, and -then proceeded to read him the translation. -His pat, slangy comments on it often moved -her to laughter, and when it came to the mention -of the song, he immediately wanted to hear -it, for—it was Alexander's chief merit—he -loved music with the appreciation of a born -musician. It happened that among the books<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">124</a></span> -Corinne had brought Margaret was the collection -of old songs, containing the one in question. -She hunted this up now, and, going to -the piano, played it over for him, while he stood -at her side whistling the air.</p> - -<p>"Say, I like that!" he commented when she -had finished. "That's a great old tune! The -words are a back-number of course, but they -go with it fine!" He hummed it over again.</p> - -<p>"Isn't it queer!" exclaimed Corinne. -"Alexander is the only one who has exhibited -the least interest in learning or even <i>hearing</i> -that song!"</p> - -<p>After this intermission, the story proceeded, -the boy growing more and more absorbed with -every word. But when it came to the disclosure -that Richmond Hill had stood just -about where they were now sitting, he leaped to -his feet with a whoop.</p> - -<p>"Say! Wouldn't that jolt you! Gee! I -didn't have any hunch that you girls had a -thing like <i>this</i> up your sleeve!" Then, with -snapping eyes, he settled down to hear the remainder -of the tale. When Corinne had finished,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">125</a></span> -he sat cross-legged before the fire for -several minutes, chewing meditatively the cap -he had riddled with air-holes.</p> - -<p>So long was he silent, that Margaret exclaimed, -finally: "Well?" Then he got up, -stretched his legs, and inquired: "When you -going to have the next meeting of this joint?"</p> - -<p>"The day after to-morrow," answered Margaret, -who was disappointed that after all he -did not seem to have any interested comments -to make. "Why?"</p> - -<p>"Because," he answered in his remarkable -jargon of slang, "you can ring me in on the -fest, and—I <i>may</i> have a new piece of dope!"</p> - -<p>When the meaning of this remark had -dawned on them, they all demanded eagerly: -"What? What? Can't you tell us, Alec?"</p> - -<p>"Nothing doing—till the day after to-morrow!" -he called back as he made a hasty exit -down the hall.</p> - -<p>And after his departure they all agreed that -they had possibly done a rather good day's -work in admitting the rowdy Alexander to the -Antiquarian Club!</p> - - - - -<hr /> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">126</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER X<br /> -<span class="small">ALEXANDER TAKES HOLD</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="drop"><span class="uppercase">Two</span> afternoons later all the girls were -gathered in the parlor promptly at three, -but Alexander had not yet put in an appearance. -He attended the public school, which -did not dismiss as early as high school, and he -would probably be at least three quarters of an -hour late, as he was usually kept in for misbehavior. -During his absence, the girls discussed -him eagerly.</p> - -<p>"Do you know," vouchsafed Corinne, "I -think he is the <i>cleverest</i> little rascal, and so -comical that I want to laugh whenever I look -at him! How is it I've never seen him before?"</p> - -<p>"Why, the explanation is," answered Bess, -"that he never stays in the house afternoons if -he can possibly help it. He's always out running -the streets or playing baseball in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">127</a></span> -vacant lots. But the other day it was cold and -damp, and Sarah discovered that he had a bad -sore throat and insisted that he stay indoors. -He's rather afraid of Sarah, though he does -tease her frightfully. That's why he was -around trying hard to annoy us—he hadn't -anything else to do!"</p> - -<p>"Well, he's a little trump, anyway!" insisted -Corinne. "And did you ever hear such a glorious -collection of slang!"</p> - -<p>"Isn't it <i>awful</i>!" sighed Margaret. -"Mother is terribly worried about him and the -way he talks. And yet she can't help laughing, -herself, sometimes, at the funny things he -says. Really, he often seems to be speaking in -some foreign language that I can't understand -a word of!"</p> - -<p>"What does he mean by 'dope,' anyway?" -mused Corinne. "I can't imagine, unless it's -'news' or 'information.' You just have to <i>construe</i> -his remarks, as you do the Latin! I -think we'll have to get a dictionary of slang -if he keeps on like this!"</p> - -<p>"But, oh, what <i>do</i> you suppose he is finding<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">128</a></span> -out!" exclaimed Margaret. "What can he -possibly know that can have anything to do -with our secret?"</p> - -<p>"You never can tell!" said Bess. "He goes -snooping around this neighborhood in all sorts -of places, and talks with all sorts of people. -Perhaps he <i>has</i> stumbled on something, though -I have my doubts. But here he comes now!"</p> - -<p>Alexander entered the house, slamming the -basement door and singing at the top of his -high sweet voice:</p> - - -<div class="center"> -<div class="poem"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="i0">"On Richmond Hill there lived a lass,</div> -<div class="i0">More bright than May-day morn!"</div> -</div> -</div> -</div> - - -<p>After a preliminary scuffle and dispute with -Sarah in the kitchen, probably over the question -of cake, he came galloping upstairs, and -burst in upon them with a military salute and:</p> - -<p>"Hullo, pals! Do I have to give the high -sign and the grand salaam?"</p> - -<p>"Never mind that!" laughed Corinne. -"Hurry up and tell us about this wonderful -thing you know. We're crazy to hear!"</p> - -<p>Alexander was visibly flattered, and drew a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">129</a></span> -chair to the group by the fire, with an air of -great importance.</p> - -<p>"Well, it's this way," he began. "It hit me -all of a sudden the other day, that I had the -dope on something that might be right in your -line o' goods. But I wasn't sure, and I -wanted to nail it. Now I <i>have</i> nailed it—and -it's O.K.!"</p> - -<p>"Tell us, quick! Quick!" cried Margaret.</p> - -<p>"Hey! put on the brakes a minute, kid!" -he commented. "If you go so fast, you'll bust -your speedometer! Do you know where McCorkle's -stable is?"</p> - -<p>All but Corinne nodded. For her enlightenment, -he explained: "It's around on -Varick Street between Charlton and Van Dam, -on this side of the way."</p> - -<p>"It's a funny old place, isn't it!" interrupted -Margaret. "Sarah sometimes wheels -me past it. The building looks awfully ramshackly. -But what about it? Surely it can't -have anything to do with <i>our</i> affair!"</p> - -<p>"Just you douse your sparker and save gasoline!" -chuckled Alexander. "Shows how<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">130</a></span> -much <i>you</i> know about things! You <i>needed</i> a -man on this job! As I was going to say, I -know Tim Garrity pretty well—he has charge -of the horses. We're pretty good pals, and he -gives me a whole lot of interesting dope, off -and on. Last summer he told me something -that stuck in my crop, but I didn't think of it -again till the other day. Then I thought I'd -go and nail it for certain, before I told you -kids, and I got him to reel it off again yesterday. -It's the dope, all right! I saw it myself!"</p> - -<p>"For gracious sake, Alexander, don't keep -us in suspense another minute!" implored Corinne. -"Tell us quick!"</p> - -<p>"All right! Now I'm going to shoot! -You remember telling me about the theater -that old house was turned into? Well, Tim -once told me that the stable was built right over -where an old theater had stood,—on the very -foundations,—and in the back, where the stalls -are, you could see a part of the old stage, the -paintings on the beams, and frescoes—he called -'em! He was quite proud of it!"</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">131</a></span></p> - -<p>The listening four were now sitting up -straight and tense. He went on:</p> - -<p>"I didn't pay much 'tention to it at the time. -Didn't interest me! Rather be talking about -baseball! But the other day, after all you told -me, I fell for it again. Yesterday I went -round and made him tell me all over again and -show it to me, too. I guess we've hit the trail, -kids! It was there, all right! Funny old gilt -do-dabs, and you could just make out the shape -of the stage, curved, the way they have 'em in -the theaters now."</p> - -<p>He stopped, and every one drew a long -breath.</p> - -<p>"Alexander, you are certainly a trump!" -sighed Corinne. "This is the best discovery -yet. But I'm surprised that the site of the -house should be on Varick Street. Most books -said it faced on Charlton."</p> - -<p>And Bess added her say:</p> - -<p>"This is certainly awfully interesting, but -I'm blest if I can see how it's going to be of -the slightest <i>help</i>!"</p> - -<p>"Say, you're what us baseball fans call a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">132</a></span> -bonehead," and Alexander chuckled derisively. -"I'll bet Corinne's fallen for it already, without -being told!"</p> - -<p>"I confess, I don't see <i>just</i> how it helps," admitted -Corinne, "unless—unless—there's some -part of the old, original house left."</p> - -<p>"That's the line o' talk!" shouted the boy, -triumphantly. "I knew you'd hit the bull's-eye -if any one did! There sure <i>is</i> something -of the old house left, and that is—the <i>beams</i> -that supported the cellar ceiling! They make -the foundation of the stage!"</p> - -<p>This time Alexander certainly scored a sensation.</p> - -<p>"The beams—<i>the beams</i>!" cried Margaret.</p> - -<p>"Then there must be the one that had the -secret hiding-place in it!"</p> - -<p>"Now you're talking!" remarked Alexander.</p> - -<p>"But did you <i>see</i> it? Can you get <i>at</i> it?" -demanded Corinne.</p> - -<p>"There's where Central cuts you off! I examined -the thing carefully, and got Tim to tell -me all he knew. But we found that the stable<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">133</a></span> -only went part of the way through the old -cellar of the house; the two ends are cut off and -underground—or at least they're behind the -side walls of the stable. Can you beat it?"</p> - -<p>"Then we can't get at it after all!" wailed -Margaret, disappointed all the more keenly for -the high hope that had been raised.</p> - -<p>"Nope! We just can't get at it—as things -stand now!"</p> - -<p>"Isn't there <i>any</i> way you can think of, -Alexander?" demanded Corinne. "Think -what we might find in that secret nook—gold, -jewels, papers of great value,—oh! this is exasperating! -Can't you think of <i>some</i> way?"</p> - -<p>Alexander, however, only appeared to lapse -into deep reverie.</p> - -<p>"I haven't showed you my whole line o' -goods yet!" he confessed, after submitting -them to an interval of soul-satisfying suspense.</p> - -<p>"You haven't—what?" echoed Corinne uncertainly.</p> - -<p>"Told you—all—I know!" he translated -obligingly.</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">134</a></span></p> - -<p>"Well, for goodness' sake, go on! How you -do tease!"</p> - -<p>"Here it is: in a few weeks they're goin' to -begin to widen Varick Street and put a subway -through."</p> - -<p>They only gazed at him, after this statement, -in uncomprehending bewilderment.</p> - -<p>"You don't get me yet?" he went on. -"Well, that means they're going to do a good -deal of altering."</p> - -<p>Still they appeared unenlightened.</p> - -<p>"Gee! but you four are <i>thick</i>!" he cried at -last. "The only way they can widen it is by -tearing down all the houses on one side. And -that's just what they're going to do on <i>this</i> -side! McCorkle's stable has got to go. Now -are you on?"</p> - -<p>"Then—then—" stuttered Corinne.</p> - -<p>"<i>Then</i> we can get at the secret beam!" announced -Alexander in triumph.</p> - - - - -<hr /> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">135</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER XI<br /> -<span class="small">ALEXANDER SPRINGS A SURPRISE</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="drop"><span class="uppercase">It</span> was with impatience indescribable that the -members of the Antiquarian Club awaited -the demolition of McCorkle's stable. Now -that Alexander had enlightened them as to the -approaching changes in Varick Street, the girls -watched with absorbing interest the slow, -gradual approach of the house-wrecking -throng which had sometime before invaded the -upper portion of the street. For weeks they -had been passing unheeded the frenzied scene -of tearing down, digging up, and general destruction -that had suddenly changed peaceful -Varick Street into an unsightly heap of ruin -and scaffolding. It had meant nothing to -them, so absorbed were they in their own affairs. -And now they found, quite to their -amazement, that it was going to have a very -direct bearing on these same affairs!</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">136</a></span></p> - -<p>House by house, block by block, it drew -nearer. Every day that was pleasant enough -for Margaret to be out she commanded Sarah -to wheel her past the work of demolition, much -to Sarah's disgust, who infinitely preferred the -quiet, sunny, unobstructed walks of peaceful -Charlton Street. Then, before turning the -corner homeward, Margaret would beg to be -wheeled past McCorkle's stable, at which she -would gaze hard and rapturously as long as it -was in sight. This also deeply annoyed and -bewildered Sarah.</p> - -<p>"Bedad!" she would exclaim impatiently, "it -does beat me what ye see in that dur-rty owld -rookery! 'Tis fit only fur th' scrap-heap, and -ye look at it as if it was hung wid diamonds! -What's got into ye these days, Margie macushla! -'Tis that quare Corinne gur-rl that -has bewitched ye!"</p> - -<p>Margaret could easily see that Sarah was -very, very jealous of her new friend, so she -would say nothing, but only smile her slow, -mysterious little smile. "That queer Corinne -girl" had indeed bewitched her, and had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">137</a></span> -brought into her pain-ridden, colorless existence -something worth living for! But this, of -course, she could not admit to Sarah.</p> - -<p>At last, one cold, blustery afternoon, the -twins burst in with the exciting information -that the house-wrecking had actually commenced -on their own block, up at the King -Street corner. After that the interest became -concentrated and intense. And by the time -the little old dormer-windowed shanty on their -own corner was leveled to the ground, they had -reached the tiptoe of excitement.</p> - -<p>Fully two weeks before this McCorkle's -stable had been vacated and left ready for its -destruction. And since then Alexander had -spent much time crawling around its foundations -and examining it in every nook and -cranny.</p> - -<p>When the little building next to it came -down, and the day before the stable was to -have its turn, the Antiquarian Club held an -important meeting, called at the request of -Alexander.</p> - -<p>"This is going to be ticklish business!" he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">138</a></span> -announced; "getting at that beam, I mean. -And I ain't so sure it's going to pan out all -right, either. Good thing to-morrow's Saturday, -so I can be on the job all day. But -I've been laying my pipes pretty slick! I've -got on the soft side of a lot of those workmen, -and the night-watchman loves me as if I was -his little nephew Willie! It's the night-watchman -I'm depending on most. He's -agreed to let me in there to grub around any -night I want—so long as I don't do any -damage. But, see here, you kids! Don't be -setting your hopes on me getting at anything -to-morrow, 'cause more'n likely they won't -touch the foundation before next week!"</p> - -<p>The next day saw the demolition of McCorkle's -stable. It being Saturday, the Antiquarian -Club was able to be present in full -force (on the opposite side of the street) to -see it go. Margaret's chair was wheeled by -the twins and Corinne in turn. But Alexander, -across the street in the danger-zone, -gyrated, imp-like, up and down the sidewalk -and was twenty times ousted from imminent<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">139</a></span> -peril by the half-indignant, half-laughing -workmen.</p> - -<p>Piece by piece the boards and bricks fell, -story by story the old building came down, till -at last it was level with the very sidewalk, and -carts began to remove the debris. Then was -visible the strange thing that Alexander had -long before told them about.</p> - -<p>"See! see!" he cried, running across to them -and pointing back excitedly. "There it is! -Didn't I tell you so?" And looking toward -the back, they could plainly discern the queer, -curved outline of the old stage, with a few -cracked and tarnished bits of gilt cornice still -clinging to it.</p> - -<p>"But when are they going to reach the beams -underneath?" demanded Margaret, in an excited -whisper.</p> - -<p>"Not before Monday! At least, they can't -get to uncovering the ones <i>we</i> want before -then. The rest are almost bare now."</p> - -<p>"Oh! <i>how</i> can we wait till Monday!" wailed -Margaret.</p> - -<p>"I gave you the tip we might have to!" admonished<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">140</a></span> -Alexander. "You're entirely too -light and speedy! You ought to go into the -house-wrecking business yourself—then you'd -see!"</p> - -<p>The interval between Saturday and Monday -seemed simply interminable to every one of the -five. On Sunday, Alexander spent much time -haunting the ruins, Corinne was obliged to be -in her own home, Mrs. Bronson was visiting a -sick friend, and Margaret and the twins, left -alone, whispered together most of the day -about the impending event.</p> - -<p>"What <i>do</i> you suppose we'll find in that -beam?" Margaret would inquire for the hundredth -time.</p> - -<p>"Probably nothing!" Bess would reply, for -she was always inclined to look on the dark side -of things.</p> - -<p>"Oh, that's not <i>possible</i>!" Margaret would -retort. "<i>I</i> think it may be some important -papers. I don't expect there'll be gold, or -jewels, or anything of that kind. But just -suppose it was the <i>sapphire signet</i>!"</p> - -<p>"Do you know, dear," said Jess, once, "I'd<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">141</a></span> -be pretty well satisfied if we even found just -the <i>hole</i>! That would show, at least, that -Alison's account was correct, and we had -worked things out right, so far."</p> - -<p>"Yes, but it wouldn't help us out any with -solving the mystery," objected Margaret. -"When do you suppose it will be get-at-able, -anyway?"</p> - -<p>"Alexander says he's going to be there before -school in the morning, and again at noon, -and in the afternoon too. He says he's almost -tempted to play hookey and be there all -day! But I told him Sarah and Mother would -have a fit if he did! The club is to be all together -here in the afternoon, and he'll come -right in and tell us the minute he discovers anything."</p> - -<p>"Wouldn't it be simply awful," moaned -Margaret, "if any one got in ahead of us and -looted the place in the beam!"</p> - -<p>"Alexander doesn't think that likely," declared -Jess. "I asked him about that, too, but -he says it's probably so well concealed that nobody -would think of such a thing—unless the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">142–144</a></span> -beam were to be chopped up, and that won't -happen for a good while yet."</p> - -<p>So they were all forced to possess their souls -in patience till Monday afternoon. Then, -with fast-beating hearts, the girls gathered in -the Charlton Street parlor. Alexander, of -course, was not with them, and they did not -expect him for some time. But, to their utter -amazement, he strolled in about three-thirty, -hands in his pockets, whistling "The Lass of -Richmond Hill" as unconcernedly as though -this were not the day of days for the Antiquarian -Club!</p> - -<p>"Good gracious, Alexander, what's wrong?" -demanded Corinne.</p> - -<p>"Wrong? Nothing at all! Everything O. -K., A., number one!" he replied airily.</p> - -<p>"But why aren't you over at the stable as -you said you'd be?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, I didn't think it worth while!" he answered -indifferently, ambling over to gaze out -of the window.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/i_143.jpg" alt="Poked around" /> - <div class="caption"> - <span class="small">"I poked around it, top, bottom, and sides"</span> - </div> -</div> - -<p>"But, Alec!" cried Margaret. "Have you -gone back on us like this? And after all you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">145</a></span> -said! And you seemed so interested, too! I -just can't believe it of you!" Her great, beautiful -gray eyes filled with sudden tears, and -Alexander, turning from the window, observed -it.</p> - -<p>"Aw! turn off the weeps!" he exclaimed -gruffly, but contritely. "Can't you all take a -bit of kidding? It <i>ain't</i> worth while for me to -be over there any more—because I've found -the beam already—and explored it!"</p> - -<p>At this astonishing revelation they sprang -upon him literally in a body—all but Margaret.</p> - -<p>"Oh, Alec! You <i>didn't</i>! When? Tell -us all about it? What did you find? How -did you do it?" The questions rained thick -and fast.</p> - -<p>"Well, just unhand me, and sit down, and -I'll tell you all about it! Saturday night I -was crawling round a bit after the work was -all over, and only the night-watchman there. -I found that the two beams on this north end -were really pretty well uncovered, in spots, -and what was left over them could be easily<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">146</a></span> -scraped off. It was mostly dirt and loose -mortar. I didn't have time to do anything -that night, but I gave the watchman the tip -that I'd be back the next night and poke -around a bit. He likes me, and he thinks I'm -collecting wood to build an Indian wigwam in -that vacant lot on Hudson Street. And us -fellows <i>are</i> building one, too, so it's no lie!" -Alexander, to do him justice, was scrupulously -truthful.</p> - -<p>"So I beat it out, last night, after borrowing -the twins' door-key, so I wouldn't have to -wake up that lallypaloozer, Sarah, when I -came in. Of course I took a chance of not -striking the right beam,—it might be the one -at the south end, for all I knew. However, I -doped out the one I thought it was, shoveled -off the bricks and mortar softly, so's not to -attract attention, and measured off ten feet -from the <i>west</i> end with a tape-line. You know -the kid, Alison, said the steward stood about -ten feet from the wall of the house, along the -beam.</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">147</a></span></p> - -<p>"Then I opened my big-bladed pocket-knife -and poked and poked and poked around it, top, -bottom, and sides. But never a sign of an -opening did I find. After I'd been at the job -about an hour, I gave it up and scooted for the -<i>east</i> end of the beam, and began the same thing -all over. Nothing doing for about half an -hour! Then all at once, my blade slipped into -a crack! I gave a hard pull, and—jumping -Jupiter!—there I was! The thing came open -like a door on a rusty hinge, and there was a -hole about a foot and a half long!</p> - -<p>"You bet I didn't do a thing but shove my -hand in and feel all around in the hole! I -didn't dare even to light a match, for fear a -cop might see me. Just then, all of a sudden, -the watchman called out softly that the roundsman -was coming and I'd better beat it while the -going was good! I just had time to duck off -that beam, crawl along the darkest side of the -wall, and sneak out as the roundsman came -along and stood talking to the watchman, as -he always does, for about fifteen minutes. I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">148</a></span> -got into the house all hunky,—and that's why -it ain't any use for me to be there this afternoon!" -he ended abruptly.</p> - -<p>"But, Alec, what did you <i>find</i>? Did you -find <i>anything</i>?" demanded the four in one -breath.</p> - -<p>Alexander nodded impressively. "Yep! I -found something all right!" Then he suddenly -took an object from under his coat and -laid it carefully in Margaret's lap.</p> - -<p>"I found <i>this</i>!"</p> - - - - -<hr /> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">149</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER XII<br /> -<span class="small">THE MYSTERY UNRAVELS FURTHER</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="drop"><span class="uppercase">It</span> would be useless to attempt describing the -mingled sensations with which the Antiquarian -Club (all but Alexander) bent to examine -the latest "find." The twins, however, -drew back in a moment with a disappointed air -and the disgusted query:</p> - -<p>"Is <i>that</i> all! What in the world is it?"</p> - -<p>It certainly was neither gold nor jewels, nor, -apparently, important papers of any sort, and -their interest waned at once. It <i>was</i> paper of -some kind—dirty, mildewed, stained with time, -and nibbled freely by mice. But it bore no resemblance -to the state documents, laden perhaps -with impressive seals, that the twins had -vaguely expected to behold, if, indeed, the find -took that shape at all. But Margaret and -Corinne had been turning it over carefully. -All of a sudden they uttered a simultaneous -little cry:</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">150</a></span></p> - -<p>"Oh, girls! Don't you know what it is?"</p> - -<p>"No!" declared the twins.</p> - -<p>"Why—<i>the other half of the diary</i>!"</p> - -<p>Then indeed did the twins give way to belated -exultation in which Alexander joined, for -of course he had already discovered this.</p> - -<p>"Yes, it certainly is!" reasserted Corinne, -examining it more closely. "The book was -evidently torn in two, and this half concealed -in the beam,—but for what earthly reason I -can't imagine! I wonder if Alison put it there -herself?"</p> - -<p>"D'ye see anything queer about the first -page?" inquired Alexander, mysteriously. -They bent again to examine it. The first page -was the most worn and stained and torn and -least decipherable of all, because it had been -unprotected. There were the same characters -of the cipher, only very dimly discernible. -But written diagonally across it, evidently -with something black and dull, possibly a piece -of charcoal or charred wood, were a few words -in English. They were so faint that they -might have been taken merely for the traces<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">151</a></span> -of dark stains or smudges had not one examined -them closely.</p> - -<p>"Shall I put you wise to what they say?" -suggested Alexander.</p> - -<p>"Oh, do!" they all cried.</p> - -<p>"Well, here it is: 'I am now assured you are -a spy. This proves it. I can make naught of -it, but will hide it securely. Later I will denounce -you.' Wouldn't that jar you, now!"</p> - -<p>"Who <i>do</i> you suppose wrote it?" demanded -Corinne.</p> - -<p>"Could it have been Alison?" suggested -Margaret. "Maybe she meant it about the -steward."</p> - -<p>"That's <i>my</i> guess!" echoed Alexander.</p> - -<p>"But why did she write it in English, and -with this charcoal or whatever it is? And why -did she hide it in that beam? And why was the -diary torn in two?"</p> - -<p>"You can search me!" Alexander remarked, -shrugging his shoulders.</p> - -<p>"Wouldn't it be a good idea to find out by -translating the rest?" quietly suggested Bess, -the practical. "No doubt she'll say something<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">152</a></span> -in it that will put us on the right track."</p> - -<p>"Good business!" chuckled Alexander. -"You've got some <i>sense</i> in that bean of yours, -kid!"</p> - -<p>"I don't understand you!" retorted Bess, -coldly. She thoroughly disapproved of his -slang, and was never amused by it as the rest -often were.</p> - -<p>"I should worry!" he responded unconcernedly, -and turned to Margaret. "Couldn't -you dope out a bit of it now, kiddie? You've -got the goods to do it with."</p> - -<p>"No," interrupted Corinne, looking at her -watch; "it's getting late, and I must go. -Let's give Margaret a couple of days to work -it out, and then we'll have a grand old meeting -and solve the whole riddle—I hope!"</p> - -<p>Much as they longed to know the whole story -at once, it was obvious that Corinne's suggestion -was most sensible. But before they separated, -they unanimously voted "Aye!" to -another matter—that the discovery of the contents -of the secret beam was the most satisfactory -thing that had happened so far!</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">153</a></span></p> - -<p>Two days later they gathered around Margaret, -keen for the exciting revelations that -they felt sure were awaiting them. Margaret -had resumed her sphinxlike attitude of mystery -and would reveal no clue to what she had discovered. -When they were settled and quiet, -Alexander remarked:</p> - -<p>"Go ahead, kid! Shoot! Get it off your -mind!" And smiling indulgently on him, -Margaret began:</p> - -<p>"You remember where we left off in the -other half of the journal—a sentence just -stopped in the middle. It was this:—'For -Madame M. will accept naught from him -and—' Now, on this first page, she completes -it. And, by the way, I had the <i>worst</i> time -puzzling out that first page! It was so stained -and faded and torn. Sometimes I wasn't even -sure I was getting it right. But I guess now -I have it correct. She goes on to finish:</p> - - -<blockquote> -<p>"—yet I scarce could tell him so. He must have -guessed my predicament, for he only smiled and said -it was of no moment. An she would not care for it, -I might keep it for myself. 'Twas rarely kind in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">154</a></span> -him. I long to tell him about myself, but I dare not—not -yet.</p> -</blockquote> - - -<p>"Then comes a break. Now she says:</p> - - -<blockquote> -<p>"His lady did pass me to-day, walking in the garden; -and since the high shrubbery screened us, I -curtesied deeply to her. I scarce dare notice her -when any of the household are by. She looked at me -long, then spoke me fair, asking had she not met me -before she came here. I answered, yes, the day her -coach broke down on the road last year, and I helped -to hold the frightened horses while 'twas mended. -She did thank me anew, and asked me what it was I -was about to tell her then, when Madame M. had -dragged me suddenly away. I replied that I dared -not repeat it there, but would seek some chance to -speak with her alone when we did have more time and -were not observed. Then I heard footsteps approaching, -and I fled quickly away."</p> -</blockquote> - - -<p>"Wonder what it could have been that she -was trying so hard to tell Lady Washington!" -sighed Corinne. "This doesn't grow any <i>less</i> -mysterious, apparently! Go on, Margaret!"</p> - -<p>"Another break, then she says:</p> - - -<blockquote> -<p>"I have at last learned what is this wicked plot—"</p> -</blockquote> - - -<p>"Good business!" ejaculated Alexander.</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">155</a></span></p> - - -<blockquote> -<p>"'Tis through Mistress Phœbe I found it out. -She has a lover who is one of <i>his</i> life-guard, and this -lover she has had cause to suspect is not entirely loyal -to <i>him</i>. Last night she did ply him with overmuch -good malt brew, and in his befogged state she did -get him to babble the secret. Oh, it is a vile scheme! -They are planning to deliver the city out of <i>his</i> hands. -But that is not the worst. They seek first of all to -murder <i>him</i>, and in some underhand, cowardly fashion. -The manner of it is not decided yet. Phœbe -tells me her lover will remember no word of what he -said to her last night in his cups. But she intends -to watch him right closely. When she has learned -the manner of the plotted murder, <i>he</i> must be -warned."</p> -</blockquote> - - -<p>"Isn't this exciting!" exclaimed Corinne.</p> - -<p>"Bully! Hot stuff!" agreed Alexander.</p> - -<p>Margaret continued: "Now, another entry.</p> - - -<blockquote> -<p>"I have confided my story to Phœbe. She is well -to be trusted, I feel. She has promised to help me in -my need. I am becoming right fond of Phœbe. Corbie -was here last night to see the steward. They are -both in the plot, we feel sure. After Corbie left, the -steward descended to the cellar. I did not dare to -follow—I could only guess that he went to his secret -hiding-place.</p> -</blockquote> - - -<p>"Now another space. Then:</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">156</a></span></p> - - -<blockquote> -<p>"Phœbe had news to-day. Last night she did again -muddle her lover with much strong drink. And she -did get him to confess that the plot is near completion; -that if all goes well, 'twill be put in action four -days from now. He also did acknowledge that they -intended to put him out of the way by poisoning -something he ate. But he knew nothing more definite. -Phœbe says she dares not thus befuddle him again. -It is too dangerous, as he has shown that he suspects -he is babbling and has asked her since many searching -questions, to which she pretends guileless ignorance. -We must watch him. What if we should not -be able to foil him and his vile conspirators!</p> - -<p>"Madame M.'s health does not improve. Nay, she -has dropped so low that 'tis feared she will not live. -Her physician did bleed her yesterday, but 'twas of -no avail. She recognizes me, but she will have naught -to say to me. In fact she is too weak to utter a word. -I am right sorry for her and grieve that she cannot -forgive me, though I have done no real wrong. I have -sometimes thought she must know of the plot, the vile -plot that is to be enacted in this house. But Phœbe -declares she is innocent of that. Deep as her hatred -may be, she would never wink at such a crime."</p> -</blockquote> - - -<p>"Well, that settles <i>one</i> question, anyhow!" -interrupted Corinne. "Do you remember how -we discussed that?"</p> - -<p>"Yep! that was the day I butted in!" commented<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">157</a></span> -Alexander, in whimsical recollection. -"Fire away, kid!"</p> - -<p>Margaret continued:</p> - - -<blockquote> -<p>"Phœbe and I do despair of discovering by what -means they plan to carry out the plot. She dares no -longer question her lover when he is under the influence -of wine. Nor does she yet dare denounce him, -lest the other conspirators escape unharmed. It -would be premature to do so till we know the exact -facts. I have told her of the steward and his secret -hiding-place in the wine-cellar. If we can do naught -else, we will rifle that some time when he is away. -Perchance there may be information in it.</p> -</blockquote> - - -<p>"Then, here's the next entry:</p> - - -<blockquote> -<p>"It is midnight, and on the morrow the plot will be -consummated. I write this in much fear. Perchance -it will be the last I shall ever have opportunity to -write. If such be the case, and my relations in Bermuda -do ever find this trunk and the diary in its false -bottom, and should they be able to decipher it, I want -them to know that I, Alison Trenham,—"</p> -</blockquote> - - -<p>"<i>Trenham!</i>" shouted the listening group. -"Hurrah! at <i>last</i> we know her full name! -That's dandy!" Margaret gave them little -heed and went on:</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">158</a></span></p> - - -<blockquote> -<p>"—do grievously repent my folly in ever leaving my -peaceful home; that I beg Grandfather to forgive me -if he can, and wish Aunt and Betty to know that I -love them always. Also, that H. and his uncle were -little to blame for their part in what happened before -we left Bermuda, and that I do not regret giving my -assistance, for it was a noble cause, even though our -government did not approve.</p> - -<p>"To-night, Phœbe and I did raid the steward's -secret hiding-place. We waited till he had gone out, -about ten o'clock, and from his actions we made sure -that he would be away long, for he went straight to -Corbie's tavern. But even so, we took a terrible risk. -Once in the cellar, our work was not difficult. I -pointed out the location of the spot, and we opened -the beam as I had seen him do. But our amazement -was great when we found naught in it. He must have -removed every belonging, and that right recently. -We were just about to turn away when Phœbe declared -she would look once more, and she felt all about -in it carefully. Her search was rewarded, for far -back in a crevice was stuck a small folded note.</p> - -<p>"We read it by the light of the candle, not at first -daring to take it away. It was from the governor, -and said that on the morrow a dose of poison should -be put into a dish of peas prepared for <i>him</i> at his -noonday meal. The poison would have no effect under -an hour. In the meantime, word should go forth, -and the fortifications would be seized. Everything -was in readiness. That was all. The note had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">159</a></span> -plainly been forgotten by the steward when he removed -his other papers. We dared to keep it, on a -second thought, since he would probably think he had -lost it elsewhere, if he missed it at all. So we took -it away with us.</p> - -<p>"Our plans are all laid. Phœbe will herself be in -the kitchen to-morrow at noon, and no doubt either -her lover or the steward will place the poison in the -dish. Then I am to pass through the kitchen at a -certain moment, and Phœbe will request me to carry -in the dish and lay it before <i>him</i>. As I do so, I can -whisper <i>him</i> a warning not to eat of it, saying I will -explain later. If Phœbe herself did this, she would -be suspected at once, for she never goes into the dining-room -to serve. But she will choose a moment -when no retainer of his happens to be in the kitchen, -and send me with it instead. God grant that the -plans do not go wrong. <i>He</i> will suffer, and our own -lives will be in great danger should we fail or be discovered.</p> - -<p>"We have arranged that, when I go to him later -to disclose what we know, I shall also tell him my own -story and throw myself on the protection of him and -his good lady. For I fear it will then be no longer -safe for me to remain here as I am now. That is all. -God has us in His hands. I await the morrow with -untold trembling.</p> - -<p>"Should it be thought strange that in writing this -journal I have given few <i>names</i> and so made the -identities hard to guess, I must explain that I have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">160</a></span> -ever been in great fear of this being discovered—nay, -even deciphered. I bethought me that the fewer -names I used, the less incriminating this might be -to myself and all concerned. As I read it over now, -I feel that it was but a poor makeshift, at best. -However that may be, I trust that it may some day -get back to my dear ones in Bermuda, should aught -evil befall me. <i>They</i> will understand.</p> - -<p>"The hour grows late and I must retire, though I -feel little able to sleep. But one thing more I must -disclose ere I bring this journal to an end,—the hiding-place -of the sapphire signet. Should it befall -that I never return to my home nor see my relatives -again, it would be only right that they be informed -where the jewel may be found, and that I meant no -evil in taking it from Grandfather. Also, I do earnestly -beseech any soul who shall perchance sometime -long in the future find and decipher this record, that -he or she will search for the signet in the place that I -have indicated. And should they find it still there -hidden, I pray that they will make an effort to return -it to any of my family or connections who may still -exist.</p> - -<p>"I have concealed the sapphire signet in—"</p> -</blockquote> - - -<p>Margaret came to a dead stop. "Girls—and -Alexander—that's absolutely <i>all</i> there -is!"</p> - -<p>So tense had been the interest that they could<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">161</a></span> -not believe their ears when Margaret made -this announcement. Alexander was the first -to recover his power of speech. Thumping -the floor indignantly, he delivered himself -thus:</p> - -<p>"Suffering cats! <i>Can</i> you beat it!"</p> - - - - -<hr /> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">162</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER XIII<br /> -<span class="small">ALEXANDER ENGAGES IN SOME HISTORICAL<br /> RESEARCH</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="drop"><span class="uppercase">When</span> the chorus of surprise and bewilderment -and indignation had at last -subsided, they fell to discussing in its every -detail this new phase of the journal and its -abrupt ending.</p> - -<p>"I tell you," announced Alexander, thumping -a sofa-cushion to emphasize his remark, -"something <i>happened</i> to that kid just as she -got to the last,—something happened, sure as -wash-day! And it wasn't anything pleasant, -either! Do you get me?"</p> - -<p>"You must be right!" agreed Corinne. -"When you think of what <i>was</i> going to happen -the next day, and the danger she was in, -and the fact that this journal is torn in two, -and all that, I'm positive something terrible -must have taken place just then. Poor little -Alison! How are we <i>ever</i> going to know what<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">163</a></span> -it was, or whether she ever got out of it all -right and got back home! If the end of the -other half of the journal was maddening, this -is about forty-five times worse! I feel as if -I'd go absolutely <i>crazy</i> if this mystery isn't -cleared up!"</p> - -<p>"There's one thing you must remember," -suggested the practical Bess. "History tells -us that the poison plot was discovered in time -and didn't do Washington any harm; and that -Phœbe Fraunces gave him the warning, and -he just cleared up the whole thing, and hanged -the worst one of the conspirators,—whoever he -might be! Now, if that's the case, don't you -think we could take it for granted that Alison's -affairs turned out all right, too?"</p> - -<p>"Not necessarily!" retorted Corinne. "Remember, -also, that Washington didn't know -anything about her, and that that horrid -steward had been watching her and plotting -about her; and so had Corbie, too. Who -knows but what they took her and carried her -off before the thing was to take place, in order -to have her out of the way!"</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">164</a></span></p> - -<p>"And there's another thing," added Margaret. -"Do you remember what I told you -Mother said about that trunk of hers? It was -found floating around in an old wreck. Now -how did it get there? If there was a wreck and -she was on it, she was probably drowned and -never got back to Bermuda alive. But how -did she come to be on a vessel with her trunk -if she had been captured by the steward? Did -he put her there?"</p> - -<p>"Maybe she wasn't on that vessel at all!" -was the contribution Jess made to the problem. -"Somebody else may have taken possession of -her trunk for all you can tell. A trunk is -something <i>anybody</i> can use!"</p> - -<p>"But did you ever hear of such a maddening -thing as that journal breaking off just the -minute she was going to tell where she'd -hidden the signet!" exclaimed Corinne in thorough -exasperation. "Why couldn't it have -gone on just a second longer—at least till she'd -had time for a tiny hint! And, see here! Do -you realize that she was actually talking to <i>us</i> -(though she didn't know it) when she begs the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">165</a></span> -person who finds and deciphers this journal in -the future to find the signet and return it to -her people?"</p> - -<p>"Why, that's <i>so</i>!" cried Margaret in a tone -of hushed awe. "It didn't strike me at first. -She's actually speaking to <i>us</i>—for we <i>must</i> be -the first ones who have read this journal! -Isn't it amazing!"</p> - -<p>"You don't know whether we are or not," -contradicted Bess, with her usual cold common -sense. "Lots of people may have seen it before -we did, and found the signet, too."</p> - -<p>"I don't think it's likely," argued Corinne, -coming to Margaret's defense. "And besides, -how could they find the signet when she didn't -even have a chance to tell where it was! No, I -feel quite sure we're the first; but how are we -ever going to know where she hid it? And -even if we <i>did</i> know, would we be able to find -it after the changes that have come in all these -years?"</p> - -<p>"Then too," put in Jess, "there's a chance -that Alison got out of the trouble all right, -anyhow, and took the signet back to her grandfather<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">166</a></span> -herself. How are you going to tell?"</p> - -<p>"There's one thing you all seem to have forgotten," -suggested Alexander. "And it's the -biggest boost of the whole outfit! We are wise -to her last name—<i>Trenham</i>. Now you, Corinne,—you've -been down there to that little -old joint, Bermuda. Did you ever hear of any -one by the name of Trenham?"</p> - -<p>"No, I didn't. Of course, I never inquired -particularly, not knowing anything about this, -then. But I never heard that name. There's -a very common one on the island that's a good -deal like it—Trimmingham—but that doesn't -help much. It probably isn't the same, -though the English do have the funniest way -of shortening their names and pronouncing -them in queer ways!"</p> - -<p>"Wrong trail!" exclaimed Alexander, -briefly. Then, suddenly turning to Margaret, -he added:</p> - -<p>"Here, kiddie! Hand me that journal-thing -you've doped out. I want to give it the -once-over!" He studied it thoughtfully for -several minutes, tugging viciously the while at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">167</a></span> -a long lock of red hair that always hung over -his eyes. The rest all kept very quiet, watching -him expectantly. Presently he issued his -ultimatum:</p> - -<p>"There's one other piece of business that -you all seem to have pretty well given the cold -shoulder—this song and dance about some plot -in Bermuda that the Alison kid says she was -mixed up in. Have you ever thought of doping -that out?"</p> - -<p>"No, we haven't," admitted Corinne. "I -did think once of hunting it up, but the whole -thing was so awfully vague that there didn't -seem to be any use. What could you hunt up, -anyway? You'd have to read up a lot of Bermuda -history, and even then you probably -wouldn't strike a thing that had any bearing -on it!"</p> - -<p>"You never can tell!" remarked the boy, -wisely. "Me for this job, from now on! -Where's that library joint you get all your -books from, Corinne? Little Alexander's -going to join the army of high-brows!"</p> - -<p>"You can take my card and use it, Alexander,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">168</a></span> -or I'll get you the books myself," Corinne -kindly offered.</p> - -<p>"Thanks awfully, but nothing doing!" he -returned. "This kid gets right on the job himself -when he strikes the trail. All I want to -know is how you break into the place. If you -put me wise to <i>that</i>, yours truly will do the -rest!"</p> - - -<p class="p2t">In the course of the next few days, Alexander -became a duly enrolled member of the -nearest public library, and his family was -edified to behold him deeply immersed in the -most unusual occupation of literary and historical -research. As he ordinarily touched no -volume of any nature except his school-books -(and these only under severe compulsion!), the -spectacle was all the more amazing. Baseball -and other absorbing occupations of his street -life were temporarily forgotten. He would -lie for hours flat on his stomach on the couch, -his heels in the air, pushing back his rebellious -lock of hair, and mulling over the various odd -volumes he had brought home from the library.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">169</a></span> -At intervals he could be heard ejaculating: -"Gee!" "Hot stuff!" and remarks of a similar -nature.</p> - -<p>But of his discoveries, if indeed he had made -any, he would have nothing to say, conceding -only that, when he had found anything of interest, -a meeting of the Antiquarian Club -should be called, and he would then make his -disclosures in proper business form. This was -absolutely all they could draw from him. The -twins reported to Corinne at school that Alexander -was certainly doing (for him!) a remarkable -amount of reading; and it was not all -about Bermuda, either, as they had discovered -from the titles of his books. American history -also figured in his list, and other volumes whose -bearing on the subject they could not even -guess. They also expressed their wonder at -the curious change they had noticed in his manner -toward them.</p> - -<p>"Oh, Alexander's <i>all right</i>!" Corinne assured -them. "You've always misjudged that -little fellow, girls! He's got heaps of good -in him! Of course, he's a little rough and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">170</a></span> -slangy, and a terrible tease, but most boys <i>are</i>, -at his age; and some are lots worse. He's a -gentleman at heart, though. You can tell that -by the way he treats Margaret. He's always -just as gentle with her! But you've never -taken him right. You get awfully annoyed -when he teases you, and that's just exactly -what he wants; it tickles him to pieces to see -you get mad! If you'd only take him up -good-naturedly and give him as good as he -gives you, you'd find yourselves getting along -heaps better!"</p> - -<p>"That's exactly what you do, I guess!" remarked -Bess, ruefully. "And I can see that -he thinks you're fine. He said the other night -that you were 'some good sport,' and that's -praise—from him! I'm going to try and act -differently toward him from now on. But, oh! -his language is so dreadful and slangy! It -irritates me to pieces, and I just can't help -snapping at him when he talks that way!"</p> - -<p>"Do you know," said Corinne, "I've noticed -a queer thing about him. When he's very -much in earnest and forgets himself completely,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">171</a></span> -especially in this mystery business, he -hardly uses any slang at all,—just talks like -any one else! I believe he'll grow out of all -that, later, when he's learned that it isn't the -way the worth-while people talk. But he's -bright—bright as a steel trap; and think where -we should have been in this affair if it hadn't -been for him!"</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, all unconscious that he was a -subject of such animated discussion, Alexander -was pursuing his researches in grim earnest; -and at length, in the course of a week or so, -he announced that a meeting might be called -and he would make his report. When they -had gathered expectantly the following afternoon, -he came in with an armful of books and -settled down on the floor before the open fire.</p> - -<p>"Now, don't go boosting your hopes sky-high!" -he remarked, noting the tense expectancy -of their attitudes. "I ain't doped out -anything so very wonderful—"</p> - -<p>"Oh, <i>haven't</i> you, Alexander?" exclaimed -Margaret, disappointedly. "I thought you -must have found something <i>great</i>, the way<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">172</a></span> -you've been grunting and chuckling and talking -to yourself all this time when you read in -the evenings!"</p> - -<p>"Sorry to give you the cold shower, kiddie! -I've done the best I could; and if I was chuckling -and grunting, it was because I'd struck -some ripping hot stuff in the way of adventures. -Say! that Bermuda history is <i>some</i> -little jig-time! I started to wade through it, -thinking it'd be as dry as tinder, and you can -knock me down with a plate of pancakes, but -it was rich! Started right in with the greatest -old shipwreck, when old Admiral Somers and -his men got chucked off on this uninhabited -island! Gee! it was as good as 'Robinson -Crusoe,' that we're reading about in school. -Then they had a rip-snorting old mutiny, and -started in to build another ship, and all that -sort of thing! And later on, after they'd gone -home to England and come back and settled in -a colony there, they started up some witchcraft, -and ducked a lot of gabby dames and hung -some more, and—"</p> - -<p>"But, Alexander," interrupted the impatient<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">173</a></span> -Margaret, "you can tell us all about that some -other time. What <i>I</i> want to know is, did you -find out <i>anything</i> that seemed to be connected -with our mystery?"</p> - -<p>"That's right, kid! We'll get down to -business, and do our spieling afterward. -Well, I didn't strike a blooming thing that -seemed to be even a forty-second cousin to our -affairs till I got down to the year 1775; and -then I hit the trail of a piker called Governor -Bruère, who was the reigning high Mogul in -Bermuda just then. He was some pill, too, -you can take it from me! And everybody -seemed to hate him like poison, he was such a -grouch. Well, it was just about the time when -the Revolution busted out in the U. S. Washington -was up there around Boston, keeping -the British on the jump. But he was scared -stiff, because gunpowder was so short. There -were only about nine rounds left for each -American soldier. But they were chucking a -good bluff, and of course the British weren't -wise to it.</p> - -<p>"Just about then, somebody put Washington<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">174</a></span> -on to the fact that down in Bermuda there -was a whole mint of gunpowder concealed -somewhere in the government grounds, and it -wouldn't be so hard to get hold of it. At the -same time, too, the Bermudians were pretty -nearly starving, because they got all their food -supplies from America, and since the war -broke out, England had cut them off at the -meter. So Washington doped it out that here -was a good chance to make an exchange. He -sent a couple of fellers to tell the Bermudians -that, if they'd give him that powder, he'd send -them a whole outfit of eats. And you'll admit -that was square enough!</p> - -<p>"But wouldn't this jar you! When they -got there, they found the whole place up in -the air and the governor sizzling around like a -cannon-cracker, because some one had got in -ahead of them, stole the powder, and carted it -off to America! They just turned tail and -beat it for home and mother as quick as they -could, before the governor got wind of their -business! So long as Washington got the -powder, they should worry!</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">175</a></span></p> - -<p>"But the how of it was like this: a fellow -named Captain Ord,—or some say it was one -called George Tucker, but most think it was -Ord,—had it all fixed up with some Bermudian -friends that he should get the powder on the -q. t., load it on board his ship, and beat it while -the going was good. The powder-magazine -was in the government grounds at a dump -called St. George's, and Governor Bruère always -slept with the keys under his pillow. -Well, some smooth guy managed to swipe -those keys one dark night, and they rolled -down no end of barrels to a place called -Tobacco Rocks, loaded 'em on whale-boats, -and rowed out with 'em to the ship that was -anchored off Mangrove Bay, wherever that -may be, and Captain Ord was off with it before -morning. Well, you can take it from me that, -when Bruère got wise to what had happened, -he went up in the air! He was a hot sketch, -and he made it warm for the Bermudians; but -it didn't do any good, as nobody knew much -about the business—or if they did, they -wouldn't tell!</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">176</a></span></p> - -<p>"Anyhow, Washington got his powder, and -it's on record that afterward he sent a heap of -swell eats down to pay for it! Gee! wouldn't -I like to have been in on that fun though—the -night they swiped the loot!"</p> - -<p>"But, Alexander, I don't see what all this -has got to do with Alison!" cried Margaret. -"There's nothing in it about a girl, or the least -thing that concerns her!"</p> - -<p>"That's just where I knew you'd throw me -down!" remarked Alexander. "I told you to -begin with that I hadn't found anything positive -about it, didn't I? Well, this is the <i>only -thing</i> that even passed it on the other side of -the gangway! That Alison kid keeps talking -about a plot in Bermuda and something that -happened that the government didn't cotton -to, and there isn't another blooming hook to -hang your hat on but that, unless it's something -that isn't spoken of or known about in -history. Then there's one other reason. She -speaks of some one called H., and his uncle, -and his uncle's ship, and how they were afraid -to go back to Bermuda because one of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">177</a></span> -sailors had turned piker and given way on -them. Of course, it's all guesswork! And -what in thunder a kid like Alison could have -to do with such a piece of work, beats me! -But there you are! I'm done!"</p> - -<p>There was considerable disappointment in -the Antiquarian Club, when Alexander had -ceased, that nothing more definite had been unearthed -by him. It seemed highly unlikely to -them all that this strange little historical incident -could have any bearing on the affairs of -the mysterious "lass" whose secret they had -stumbled upon. None but himself appeared -to put any faith in the connection between the -two, and they discussed it for a time hotly. At -last Corinne, perceiving that Alexander was -becoming piqued that his efforts were not more -appreciated, declared:</p> - -<p>"I think you've done splendidly, Alec, in -discovering anything at all, among such a lot -of uncertain stuff; and perhaps we'll come -across something later that will make us sure. -But you seem to have been reading quite a pile -of books. Are they all about Bermuda?"</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">178</a></span></p> - -<p>"Nope! Not on your tintype! There are -precious few about Bermuda alone, anyway. -So after I'd chewed up what there was, I took -to doping out American history, and I came -across some hot stuff there, too! The main -guy over there in the library advised me to read -Washington Irving's 'Life of George Washington' -when I told her I was tracking down -American history. And say, that's going -some, too—in spots! I fell over something -last night that'll make you all put on the glad -smile—I found out the name of the feller that -was soft on Phœbe!"</p> - -<p>"Oh, what is it?" they shouted in a satisfying -chorus.</p> - -<p>"Thomas Hickey!" announced Alexander, -proudly.</p> - -<p>"But how do you know?"</p> - -<p>"'Cause that's the name of the feller Washington -hung! It was a member of his life-guard -who was one of the conspirators!"</p> - -<p>"Alexander, you're <i>some</i> trump!" declared -Corinne. "In all my browsing, I never came -across <i>that</i>!"</p> - - - - -<hr /> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">179</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER XIV<br /> -<span class="small">A BELATED DISCOVERY AND A SOLEMN <br />CONCLAVE</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="drop"><span class="uppercase">During</span> the month following Alexander's -researches into history, no further -progress was made in solving the mystery -that absorbed the Antiquarian Club. The -Christmas holidays came and went, and the -severer winter weather held the city in such a -grip that often, for days on a stretch, Margaret -could not be wheeled out in her chair. -Under the combined strain of confinement to -the house and lack of any further stimulating -excitement, she grew very restless and just a -wee bit unhappy. The girls and Alexander -were very busy with their midwinter examinations, -and could not give much time to other -interests, even such absorbing ones as the long-ago -Alison and her fate.</p> - -<p>But, with the beginning of February, matters<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">180</a></span> -improved. The weather moderated, to -begin with, the sun shone daily, and Margaret -could again enjoy her outing of an hour in the -sunny part of each early afternoon. The -others also, released from the grind of much -study and "cramming for exams," had leisure -at last to give to the club-meetings, which they -now held regularly three times a week. Alexander -was not always with them, for the claims -of hockey and skating and coasting often -proved too much for his boyish soul to resist. -But, for the most part, he managed to be on -hand at least once a week, for his interest in -the mystery was still very great.</p> - -<p>They grew into the habit of reporting, at -these meetings, any even slight discoveries they -had happened to make, in their reading or in -any other manner, that had the slightest -bearing on the subject. Thus, Corinne contributed -the following, that she had gleaned in -looking over a history of New York City: in -referring to Abraham Mortier, some one had -once remarked that the expression "Laugh -and grow fat!" did not apply to him, since, although<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">181</a></span> -he was very jolly, he was so thin that -the wind could blow him away!</p> - -<p>"That's interesting, but of course it doesn't -help <i>us</i> much!" Corinne added apologetically. -"But I thought anything about the -Mortiers would be well to know. I'll warrant -Madame Mortier was just the opposite—very -fat and solemn!"</p> - -<p>Alexander contributed the information that -Thomas Hickey was hanged at a spot about -where the corner of Grand Street and the Bowery -is now. And so deep was his interest in -this gruesome affair that he even made an excursion -across the city one afternoon to visit the -site!</p> - -<p>Margaret found a description of Richmond -Hill, written by Mrs. John Adams during her -residence there, in which she described at much -length the beauty and attractiveness of the -spot. Only the twins, who read but little, -made no additions to the stock of information. -This they apologized for by saying that they -were no hand at such things, and about everything -had been discovered already, anyhow!</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">182</a></span></p> - -<p>Then Corinne invented another form of entertainment. -This was that each member of -the Antiquarian Club should, after due thought -and consideration, invent an explanation of his -or her own for the curious break in Alison's -journal and her probable fate. The game -proved an exceedingly diverting one, and every -member took a separate meeting and expounded -the particular solution that appealed -to his or her imagination.</p> - -<p>Corinne herself wove a romantic tale about -Alison's having been captured that very night -by the steward and Corbie while she was writing, -how they carried her off, journal and all, -and later fought over her book and tore it in -two; how Alison was rescued by the mysterious -"H." just in the nick of time, and was -taken away to Bermuda to marry him and live -happily ever after! But the mystery of the -two halves of the journal and their strange -hiding-places and the whereabouts of the sapphire -signet she admitted she couldn't explain -and didn't try to!</p> - -<p>Alexander invented a lurid tale of Thomas<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">183</a></span> -Hickey discovering Alison in the act of writing -her journal, tearing it in two in snatching it -from her, and retaining the latter half. Phœbe -then helped Alison to escape with her trunk -and the other half and embark on some vessel -that was later overhauled by pirates and scuttled, -and Alison was made to "walk the plank"! -This horrible ending so affected Margaret that -she cried herself almost sick over it. And Alexander -thereat was so conscience-stricken that -he determined henceforth to keep his inventive -powers under better control.</p> - -<p>Margaret herself advanced the theory that, -for some reason, Alison and Phœbe suddenly -determined to tear the journal in two and each -keep half of it as evidence in case anything -should go amiss. That Phœbe hid her half in -the beam, and Alison put hers in the trunk. -Then they went and denounced the plot to -Washington, and he was so grateful that he -sent Alison right home to Bermuda, where she -lived happily, having taken the signet with her, -and giving away the trunk to some relative and -forgetting all about the journal in the bottom.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">184</a></span> -It was the relative who was shipwrecked and -abandoned the trunk!</p> - -<p>Again the twins, who had no gift of imagination, -refused to offer any solution, though they -were highly interested in the tales of the others. -They both declared that they could think of -absolutely no explanation, so what was the use -of their trying? And on these grounds the -others excused them. So the month passed, -and then one day Margaret announced that -she herself had made a discovery, and proceeded -to tell of it.</p> - -<p>"It all came about through Sarah wanting -to wheel me over through Macdougal Street -to-day and down Spring Street, because she -had an important errand there. You know -we <i>never</i> go through Macdougal Street, because -it's so narrow and not nearly as nice -and clean and sunny as our own and Varick -Street. I actually don't think I've been over -that way for three or four years! Well, just -as we were passing a house between this block -and Van Dam, I looked up at it, and what do -you think I saw?—the brass sign near the front<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">185</a></span> -door—"Richmond Hill House"! I couldn't -imagine for a moment what it meant. But I -asked Sarah if she knew what the place was, -and she said it was a settlement-house, with -a day-nursery and clubs for the children and -things like that in it.</p> - -<p>"I asked why it was called that name, and -she said she didn't know—thought it was a -silly one and didn't mean anything. But <i>I</i> -knew—though I didn't say so! Somebody -who knows about history has called it that because -it stands almost on the grounds where -Richmond Hill used to be. But oh, girls! -think how much trouble and wondering and -hunting it would have saved us, if we'd only -known about that house at first! It would -have suggested the thing to us right away!"</p> - -<p>"Huh!" remarked Alexander, disgustedly. -"<i>I</i> knew about that old joint right along—ever -since I lived here! <i>I</i> could have told you a -thing or two, if you'd only consulted yours -truly sooner!"</p> - -<p>"Well, never mind!" said Corinne, soothingly. -"Maybe we <i>did</i> get at things in a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">186</a></span> -roundabout, clumsy fashion; but we got there, -just the same, and we had a good time doing it, -too! But now I've something brand-new to -say, and I want you all to listen very attentively. -This is a matter that needs a lot of -careful consideration. We've about come to -the end of our rope, as far as making any -further progress with this mystery is concerned. -We've been having a lot of fun and -entertainment out of it, of course, with these -stories of our own, and all that sort of thing. -But we're not 'getting any forrarder,' as -Dickens says; and do you know, I'm beginning -to think that perhaps we're not doing -just right in keeping this all to ourselves!"</p> - -<p>Here Margaret started and gave her a reproachful -look. Corinne put an arm over the -invalid girl's shoulder and continued:</p> - -<p>"Honey dear, I know you think I'm playing -the traitor, and trying to spoil our delightful -secret society, but I'm really not; and if -you'll hear me to the end, I believe you'll feel -the same as I do. I've been doing a lot of -hard thinking about this matter lately. Perhaps<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">187</a></span> -you haven't realized it, but I am certain -that this old journal we've found is really a -very valuable thing—not only valuable in the -way of money (for many people would pay a -great deal for a genuine old document like -this), but also in the way of historical information. -We're keeping to ourselves something -that might really throw light on the past -history of our city.</p> - -<p>"Now, of course, I'm not <i>certain</i> about this, -but I'd like to have the opinion of some grown -person who really knows. And I've thought -of a plan by which we could do this, and at the -same time keep our secret society <i>almost</i> the -same as it is now. It's this: I would like you -all—and especially Margaret—to consent to -my telling my father all about this, and, if he is -willing (and I'm certain he will be), we can -let him become a member of our Antiquarian -Club. In that way, you see, we won't be -breaking up our society—we will just be adding -another member!"</p> - -<p>"But he's a <i>grown</i> person!" objected Margaret, -trying hard to keep the tears from rising.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">188</a></span> -"And he wouldn't care a <i>bit</i> about a -thing like this! And we'd feel so strange and—and -awkward to have an older person in it!"</p> - -<p>"Oh, but you don't <i>know</i> my father!" -laughed Corinne. "To be sure, he's a <i>grown</i> -person, but I never met any one who was more -like a <i>boy</i> in his manner and interests and sympathies! -Why, he's actually more <i>boyish</i> -than lots of the young fellows in high school. -He is deeply interested in young folks and -their affairs; and if he weren't such an awfully -busy man, he'd spend most of his time being -with them. He and I are <i>such</i> chums! You -ought to see us together when he's away on a -vacation! He romps around with me as though -he were only sixteen, and everything that interests -me just absorbs him too. I believe you've -thought, because I said he loved books and history -and <i>old</i> things, that he's a regular old -fogey that goes around stoop-shouldered and -spectacled! He isn't a bit like that!"</p> - -<p>"I got you, Steve!" ejaculated Alexander. -"He must be <i>some</i> good sport! I vote we ring -him in on this!"</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">189</a></span></p> - -<p>Margaret, however, still looked only half -convinced.</p> - -<p>"But, if he's so busy," she ventured, "I -don't see how he's ever going to find time to -attend these meetings—even if he wanted to!"</p> - -<p>"Of course," Corinne responded, "it would -be impossible for him to get to our meetings, -as a rule, but I know that he would be glad to -hear all about them from me, and sometimes, -on holidays, he'd be delighted to just get together -with us all. And, what's more, I know -he'd always have some interesting thing that -he'd propose doing—something probably that -we've never thought of!"</p> - -<p>Margaret had, by this time, almost completely -melted, but she had one further objection -to offer:</p> - -<p>"But, Corinne, he doesn't <i>know</i> us—not a -thing about us, and he'd feel awfully strange -and queer too, getting acquainted with a lot of -brand-new young folks he's never even heard -of before!"</p> - -<p>And again Corinne had her answer, even -for this.</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">190</a></span></p> - -<p>"Wrong again, Honey!" she laughed. -"Talk about his not <i>knowing anything</i> about -you! Well, do you suppose for one wild -minute that I've never told him about these -loveliest friends I ever had? Why, every -evening he and I talk for at least a couple of -hours about every blessed thing that interests -us. I've given him your whole history, described -you all in every detail, told him how -much I come here, and that we had an important -secret society. The only thing I <i>haven't</i> -told him is the secret! But I've done something -else that I hope you won't mind—I've -let him know that I was very anxious to have -him admitted as a member, and that the secret -was something he'd probably find <i>very</i> interesting. -And, do you know, he's just crazy -to be allowed in it, and is only waiting for the -time when I'll come home some day bringing -him the high permission of its dear president!"</p> - -<p>Then, at last, did Margaret capitulate. -How, indeed, could she hold out after having -been presented with such an alluring picture -of the latest member-to-be! Truth to tell,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">191</a></span> -the desire was awakened in her heart to meet -this delightful father, who was so young in -spirit that his daughter considered him a -"chum"! She gave her full consent that he -was to be told everything that night, and Corinne -departed in high feather. When she had -gone, Margaret turned to the rest.</p> - -<p>"It must be lovely," she sighed, "to have a -father like that!"</p> - - - - -<hr /> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">192</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER XV<br /> -<span class="small">SARAH TAKES A HAND IN THE GAME</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="drop"><span class="uppercase">Corinne</span> came rushing home with the -girls next day. Margaret, who rather -expected her, had been waiting in considerable -impatience, and not a little secret dread, for -her arrival.</p> - -<p>"Girls," she panted, throwing aside her -wraps, "it's all right! I had the loveliest time -telling Father all about it last night! You've -no idea how perfectly <i>absorbed</i> he was in the -story! He was like a boy listening to a pirate -yarn! I read him all the translation of the -journal that Margaret made me, and he was -just about wild when it came to the end so -abruptly. He thought, with me, that it was -best not to take the original from here, because -you never can tell what accident might happen -to it, carrying it around, but he says he ought -to see it at once.</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">193</a></span></p> - -<p>"And, do you know, he said we'd done very -clever work indeed, in puzzling out what we -had of this mystery all by ourselves! I was -so proud! And he said, also, that Alexander -deserves special credit for the work he did in -finding the secret beam. It isn't every boy -who would have had such a good idea. He -says Alexander is going to make a bright man, -and a prosperous one, too, some day! Where -is that youngster, by the way? I want to tell -him!"</p> - -<p>"Oh, he hasn't come in yet!" exclaimed -Margaret, hastily returning to the main subject. -"But tell us, Corinne, what else did your -father say?"</p> - -<p>"Well, I haven't half told you yet! To begin -with, he says that we have really stumbled -on something very valuable indeed—just as I -told you! This journal ought to make one of -the most interesting additions to the curiosities -of history that have come to light in many a -long day. And he says he shouldn't wonder -but what it would be very valuable from the -money side, too. There are people and institutions<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">194</a></span> -that will pay hundreds and hundreds -of dollars for rare manuscripts like that, if -they're genuine! And there's no doubt but -that this is genuine, all right! And he says -we <i>may</i> be able to think out where the signet -was hidden, too.</p> - -<p>"But, first of all, he wants very much to see -the journal, and, of course, he must come here -for that. He wanted to come and call on your -mother some afternoon very soon. But I told -him that was not possible, because your mother -is away at business all day, and anyway, your -mother wasn't a member of the club, and perhaps -you wouldn't want to explain the whole -thing to her just yet. So he said he would -telephone to her to ask if he might stop in here -with me some afternoon; and he called her up -this morning about it. She said she would be -very glad to have her girls meet the father of -such a dear friend of theirs. Wasn't that -lovely of her? If you all are agreeable, he's -coming day after to-morrow, because he happens -to have that afternoon free. He will -meet the twins and myself at high school, walk<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">195</a></span> -down with us, and be initiated into the Antiquarian -Club. He says that being shown that -wonderful journal ought to constitute a sufficient -initiation ceremony, and I agreed with -him! Now, what do you say?"</p> - -<p>Margaret agreed unhesitatingly, yet in her -secret soul she was filled with just the same -consternation that she always felt in being -called upon to meet a stranger. But she tried -to school herself to the ordeal by reminding -herself how easy it had been to make the -acquaintance of Corinne. The father of so -lovely and wonderful a girl ought surely to -be no more difficult to meet. Corinne had -brought light and pleasure and manifold interest -into her drab little existence. Might -not the father do the same? Thus she argued -with herself as the time slipped by, till at -length the day itself dawned that was to bring -a new factor into her life.</p> - -<p>"Wheel my chair over to the bookcase, -please, Sarah!" she commanded that afternoon, -when she had been made ready to receive -company in the parlor. "I'll read, I guess,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">196</a></span> -till the girls come. Corinne may bring her -father to-day, so could you have something -kind of nice to eat, Sarah dear?" The woman -gave her an odd look.</p> - -<p>"Always that Corinne!" she grunted jealously. -"Ye be fair daffy over that gur-rl, I -do believe! An' now her father's comin' wid -her! Why is she bringin' him? I ain't got -refreshments fur the likes of them!" She -muttered and growled herself out of the parlor, -but her remarks gave Margaret no uneasiness. -Too well she knew that, though Sarah -might fuss and fume over some imagined imposition, -she would ascend later with the -daintiest of trays and serve the same maligned -company with food fit for the gods! So Margaret -contentedly settled herself to wait and -pass the time by giving the curious old journal -one further inspection.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, the day's session at high school -came to an end, and, at the gate, Corinne and -the twins found Mr. Cameron awaiting them. -Whatever mental picture the twins may have -had of Corinne's father, they found it very<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">197</a></span> -little like the reality. At once they were captivated -by his twinkling blue eyes, his crisply -curling, slightly gray hair, his friendly smile, -and the thoroughly charming way he had of -crinkling up his eyes when he laughed. They -liked, too, his big, deep voice, his fine, tall, -athletic-looking frame (and they wondered -how he could be ill so often, when he <i>looked</i> so -robust), and the jolly way he had of laughing -at his own or other people's remarks. No -longer did they wonder at his being such a -chum of his daughter's, for before they had -gone three blocks, he had become as interested -in their accounts of basket-ball as though that -game were the chief occupation of his existence.</p> - -<p>But it was when he came to talking of their -wonderful mystery that he showed to his best -advantage, in their eyes. Alexander himself -could not have exhibited a more thrilling interest -in the whole affair than did Mr. Cameron. -And as they proceeded down Varick -Street, he branched off into talking of other -historical associations connected with the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">198</a></span> -neighborhood; told the most fascinating little -anecdotes, pointed out hitherto unnoticed -nooks and corners of odd shape and architecture, -and explained the probable reasons for -their existence. So enthralling was his conversation -that they reached their own corner -almost before they noticed it. Just as they -turned down the street, however, they encountered -Alexander. After the renewed introduction, -Mr. Cameron voted that they all -have a look at the former site of McCorkle's -stable, and that Alexander should point out -the exact location of the secret beam, long since -removed to give place to iron subway-girders.</p> - -<p>This naturally captured the heart of Alexander, -and before they returned to the house, -he was fairly ready to worship, in his boyish -manner, this remarkable specimen of a grown -man who seemed equally interested in baseball, -Indian wigwam-building, hockey, skating, and -boy affairs of all descriptions. But Alexander -would sooner have been torn limb from -limb than confess this worship to the girls!</p> - -<p>At last they all approached the house, went<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">199</a></span> -up the stoop, and waited while Bess opened the -door with her latch-key. The girls thought it -rather strange that Margaret was not sitting -in the window, waiting to wave to them as she -always did, but they concluded that she must -have had a fit of shyness, because of the new -visitor, and had remained behind the curtains. -In the hall they called gaily to her, and were -again a little surprised to hear no response. -Then they all entered the parlor.</p> - -<p>To their utter astonishment they beheld -Margaret, huddled in her chair by the bookcase, -her eyes wide and frightened, her face -bearing plainly the marks of recent tears.</p> - -<p>"What is it, Honey?" cried Corinne, the -first to spring forward. "Are you feeling -ill?"</p> - -<p>"No," murmured Margaret, almost inaudibly.</p> - -<p>"Well, here's father!" went on Corinne. -"You must welcome the latest member of the -Antiquarian Club, Miss President! And -don't be afraid of him, for he knows you very -well!" Corinne said this in a tone of forced<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">200</a></span> -gaiety, thinking that perhaps Margaret was -really frightened at the prospect of meeting a -stranger. Her father shook the little outstretched -hand cordially, said some pleasant -things of a general nature, and then plunged -at once into the important subject of the day.</p> - -<p>"Now you must initiate me, Miss Margaret! -Show me this wonderful thing you clever -people have unearthed! I want to see it so -badly that I could hardly sleep last night with -expectation, and that's no exaggeration! -It's the real truth!"</p> - -<p>To the utter astonishment of every one, -Margaret burst suddenly into wild tears.</p> - -<p>"It's gone! It's gone!" she sobbed. "It -isn't there any more!"</p> - -<p>"What do you mean, Honey?" cried Corinne, -rushing to her and trying vainly to hush -the child's hysterical weeping. "It can't be -gone! What's happened to it?"</p> - -<p>At this the sobbing came with renewed violence, -and it was several minutes before Margaret -was able to whisper the one word:</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">201</a></span></p> - -<p>"<i>Sarah!</i>"</p> - -<p>"What about her? Do you want her to come -up?" inquired Bess. Margaret frantically -shook her head.</p> - -<p>"Childie," said Corinne at last, very gently, -"try to calm yourself and tell us what has happened. -You'll be ill if you keep on like this!"</p> - -<p>After a moment, Margaret straightened -herself, with a great effort stopped the sobbing, -and spoke:</p> - -<p>"I know I'm a silly to act like this, but a -terrible thing has happened. <i>The journal is -gone!</i> I looked for it in its usual place this -afternoon, and—it wasn't there! I hadn't -taken it out for several days, and I knew the -rest of you hadn't either. I couldn't imagine -what had become of it, and I didn't like to ask -directly, of course. So I called Sarah up and -asked her if she'd been cleaning the bookcase, -because I missed something. She gave me -just one queer look. Then she said no, she -hadn't been cleaning, but if I was looking for -that old rubbish I kept back there, I needn't<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">202</a></span> -look any more, because she'd taken it all out -and—<i>burned it up</i>!" Margaret sobbed afresh -at the memory.</p> - -<p>"<i>Burned it up!</i>" shouted every one in a -chorus of consternation.</p> - -<p>"But why under the sun should she <i>do</i> such -a thing?" demanded Corinne, indignantly. -"Even if it weren't valuable, it seems to me -simply cruel in her to destroy anything she -knew you were interested in and prized! I -can't understand it!"</p> - -<p>"Did she say anything else?" asked Bess.</p> - -<p>"No," added Margaret, "She just stalked -out of the room and downstairs. She seemed -awfully mad about something. And I was -so stunned I couldn't say a thing. But I just -sat and cried and cried till you all came in."</p> - -<p>"This all seems very extraordinary!" began -Mr. Cameron. "And it is the more so to me, -because I have always understood Corinne to -say that Sarah was devoted to all of you, especially -to Miss Margaret. As Corinne suggests, -it would appear simply wanton cruelty -in her to deliberately destroy anything she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">203</a></span> -knew her favorite prized. Maybe there is -something we haven't understood. Perhaps -the woman hasn't really burned the thing up—is -only trying to tease you. Would there -be any objection to our seeing her, and perhaps -putting a few questions?"</p> - -<p>"None at all!" declared Bess, though she -secretly felt that there might be many. And -with some very uncomfortable qualms, she -rang the bell that Margaret always kept by her -side. In two minutes they heard the heavy -footsteps of Sarah on the basement stairs, and -in two more she had opened the parlor door -and stood before them.</p> - -<p>"Is anything the matter?" she inquired as -her hostile glance swept the room and its occupants. -But they all noticed that her manner -lacked its usual assurance, and that she was decidedly -ill at ease.</p> - -<p>"We were wondering if you could explain -what became of Miss Margaret's papers and -blank-books," began Mr. Cameron, constituting -himself spokesman. "She tells me you -have removed them. They are rather interesting,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">204–206</a></span> -and I had come to-day on purpose to -see them."</p> - -<p>At this Sarah uncorked the vials of her -wrath.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/i_205.jpg" alt="Club" /> - <div class="caption"> - <span class="small">"You must welcome the latest member of the Antiquarian Club,<br /> Miss President!"</span> - </div> -</div> - -<p>"Ye do well to be askin' afther them dur-rty -owld bits of paper filled so full wid ger-rms -they was probably fightin' to hang on! I told -her I'd bur-rned them up, an' I told the truth. -If she don't get the typhoid-new-mon-i-ay, it -won't be fur want of hangin' over them mouldy -rags day afther day! I been watchin' her, an' -don't ye fergit it! She ain't been well this -month past—ever fur her. I guess she ain't -told ye I'm up wid her the better part of every -night wid the pain in her back! Even the -docther don't know what's the matter wid her, -she's ailin' so much worse lately. I ain't -watched her all her life fur nuthin', an' I been -watchin' her closer than ever lately, though she -didn't guess it. I usually come up them -stairs like a rhinoceros-horse—I know that! -But I <i>can</i> come up pretty soft when I choose—an' -take the time! I seen her draggin' these -things out from behind the books, an' shovin'<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">207</a></span> -'em back if she thought any one was comin', -an' breakin' her poor back bendin' over 'em, -studyin' 'em's though they wus made of gold! -An' I says to meself, this has got to stop! So -I jest took 'em out the other day an' burned up -the whole clamjamfray of 'em. An' ye kin -say what ye like about their bein' interestin',—I -don't believe it! The dur-rty, disgustin' -owld rubbish!" And with this final shot, -Sarah turned and tramped heavily out of the -room, leaving an astonished and speechless -group behind her.</p> - -<p>The remaining time that Corinne and her -father were there was spent in comforting -Margaret. There was no denying that Sarah -had finally, definitely, and fatally ruined every -hope they had cherished of disclosing to the -world a new and startling historical discovery. -And Mr. Cameron was more bitterly disappointed -than he dared to show. But he tried -to cheer Margaret as best he could, and when -he came to go, he left her with this pleasant -consolation:</p> - -<p>"Never mind about the original journal<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">208</a></span> -now. That's gone, and no good ever did come -of crying over spilt milk! Remember that the -mystery remains, just as good as ever it was, -and it is still the business of the Antiquarian -Club to solve it! I, the latest member, am -just as interested as the rest of you. <i>Some -day</i>—mark my words!—we're going to fit the -pieces of this puzzle together!"</p> - - - - -<hr /> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">209</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER XVI<br /> -<span class="small">THE SAPPHIRE SIGNET</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="drop"><span class="uppercase">Margaret</span> was far from well, even -for her. For two weeks she had been -ailing, and appeared weak and listless. Corinne -was not very much surprised on coming -in one afternoon to find her no longer in her -wheel-chair by the parlor window, but upstairs -in bed in her room on the second floor. -This had never happened before since the day -that Corinne had first visited the little house in -Charlton Street, and her heart misgave her as -she climbed the stairs with the twins. But -she entered the room, assuming a cheerfulness -she was far from feeling.</p> - -<p>"Taking a vacation in bed, Honey? Well, -I don't blame you, in such wretched weather! -It was sleeting and freezing as I came in, and -the walking is simply abominable. How cozy<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">210</a></span> -you are here with another open fire! You -seem to have one in every room. I wish <i>we</i> -did!"</p> - -<p>Margaret greeted her with something of her -old animation, but presently relapsed into listlessness -again. Corinne chatted on for a time, -as though nothing out of the ordinary were the -matter:</p> - -<p>"I've got some news from the latest member -of the Antiquarian Club! He has a proposition -to make. He says that when the first -nice spring weather comes, he's going to invite -the club to a series of 'antiquarian outings.' -They're to take place every pleasant -Saturday afternoon. He will have a big, -comfy automobile come here, and we're all to -pile in,—Margaret in the comfiest place of all,—and -we're going to 'do' old New York—the -real, historic parts, I mean. One day -we'll take a run up to Van Cortlandt Manor, -and see that place, which was Washington's -headquarters at one time. Then another day -we'll do the lower part of the city, and have -lunch at Fraunces' Tavern. And, oh! he's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">211</a></span> -planned a lot of things like that. It's going -to be great fun, I tell you!"</p> - -<p>But Margaret failed to be roused to any -extent even by this delightful prospect, though -the twins were thoroughly enthusiastic. At -last, when Bess and Jess had gone downstairs -to investigate the refreshment proposition, Corinne -determined to fathom, if possible, the -curious apathy that seemed so new to Margaret.</p> - -<p>"Honey, dear," she crooned, sitting on the -bed-side and putting her face down by Margaret, -"something's bothering you, and I want -you to tell me what it is! Something's -troubling your mind. Can't you tell me about -it, dear, even if you haven't any one else?"</p> - -<p>Margaret raised herself on her elbow and -faced Corinne. "Yes, something <i>is</i> bothering -me," she acknowledged, "and no one but you -has seemed to notice it. But I'm going to -tell you, Corinne, because I love you, and I -haven't any secrets from you. I'm just worried -<i>sick</i> because that journal was destroyed! -It was my fault. I'm responsible for it all!<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">212</a></span> -It might have been very valuable, and been -sold for a good deal of money. And that -would have helped Mother a lot, because we're -not very well off, and she has to work awfully -hard!"</p> - -<p>"But, Margaret," exclaimed Corinne, "this -is all nonsense! Of course, it's unfortunate -that the thing happened, but you can't even -blame Sarah, for <i>she</i> didn't know it was anything -of value, and she thought she was acting -for the best, and saving you from getting sick. -<i>Nobody's</i> to blame! It's just one of those -unlucky things that happen sometimes. It -isn't as if you or any one else had been <i>careless</i> -about it!"</p> - -<p>"But you don't understand me!" insisted -Margaret. "It <i>was</i> my fault, because I kept -insisting that this thing should be a secret, and -nobody else was to be told. It was terribly -foolish—I can see that plainly now! And I -never should have kept such a valuable thing -in such an insecure place. We ought to have -shown it at once to your father and let him -keep it. Oh, I'll never forgive myself—never,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">213</a></span> -never!" She turned her face into the -pillows and lay a long time silent,—not crying, -but just in an apathy of self-reproach.</p> - -<p>Corinne, meanwhile, argued and pleaded -and consoled—in vain. Margaret would -neither look up nor respond. And at last, in -despair, she exclaimed:</p> - -<p>"Margaret, I want to tell you something -Father said last night. It may make you feel -better about this very thing. He said that -even though the original journal was destroyed, -that didn't alter the fact that we -youngsters had made a most remarkable 'find,' -and had discovered a mystery that was well -worth tracking to its finish. He says he's -proud to be a member of the Antiquarian -Club, and hopes you haven't let any one else -into the secret. He wants it kept quiet till -we've fathomed the riddle, if we ever do! -You <i>haven't</i> told any one yet, have you?"</p> - -<p>Margaret raised her head, at this, with a -faint spark of interest. "No, I haven't even -told Mother," she said, "because I hated to -have her know how near we'd been to finding<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">214</a></span> -something valuable, and then disappointing -her by saying it was lost. Of course, we've -told her all about your father's visit, and -she thought he was so kind to take such an interest -in us. She said she supposed it was for -<i>your</i> sake. Sarah has never said another -word, even to me, about the things she burned -up. I think she's half ashamed of it, and yet -feels that she really did right in taking away -something that she supposed was hurting me. -She's awfully worried because I don't seem -so well, and she's almost killing herself taking -care of me and doing all her other work, too. -But, Corinne, did your father say he'd <i>really</i> -like this all kept a secret still? That's awfully -nice of him, and makes what <i>I</i> did seem -not quite so foolish! I believe I'll feel a little -better about it from now on!"</p> - -<p>Margaret certainly appeared to improve in -spirits after this interview, but still her bodily -strength did not return, and day after day she -remained confined to her bed. Her mother -and Sarah grew almost ill themselves with -anxiety about her. The doctor said it was the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">215</a></span> -drain of the winter on her frail system, and -prescribed a strong tonic, but even this did not -seem to have the desired effect. But Corinne -came in one day with news that actually -brought a tint of pale pink to the little invalid's -white cheeks.</p> - -<p>"Father's been doing some tall <i>thinking</i> -lately," she announced, "and this is the result. -He wants me to submit the matter to the Antiquarian -Club for due consideration, and would -like every member present when I do so. -Where are the others?"</p> - -<p>The twins and Alexander were promptly -gathered into Margaret's room, and Corinne -continued:</p> - -<p>"This is what Father's been puzzling over. -He says that sapphire signet must have been a -very valuable thing, and it ought to be found, -if there's the slightest possibility of finding it. -He knows a lot about precious stones and their -history, and he says that a <i>sapphire</i> signet, especially -an old one, is a very rare thing. The -reason is that sapphires are so hard that it's -very difficult to engrave them, and so signets<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">216</a></span> -were not very often made of them. So, if this -signet were found, it would probably be worth -a great deal of money. But, more than that, -he thinks we owe it as a duty to the memory of -little Alison to make some <i>effort</i>, at least, to -find it and restore it to her descendants or -family, if she has any left."</p> - -<p>"That's what I've always thought, too!" -murmured Margaret, parenthetically.</p> - -<p>"Well, he says he's been doing some '<i>Sherlock -Holmes</i>' thinking, and trying to imagine -where she could possibly have concealed that -trinket. He doesn't think she kept it hidden -about herself anywhere. She would probably -have thought that too dangerous, for she might -have been searched. And he can't bring himself -to think that she concealed it anywhere -about the house or in the grounds,—there -would have been such slight chance, in such a -case, of it ever getting back to Bermuda, or -her relatives ever having a chance to find it. -But he did wonder whether it might have been -hidden in the secret beam with the other half<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">217</a></span> -of the journal. You would surely have found -it, then, wouldn't you, Alexander?"</p> - -<p>"Bet your life!" replied that youngster, -promptly. "If that dinky little do-dab had -been in there, yours truly would have cabbaged -it all right! I knew well enough it was my -last chance at <i>that</i> old dump, and I clawed -over every square inch of it a dozen times before -I rung off. No sirree! it wasn't <i>there</i>, -and you can take your Uncle Dudley's word -for it!"</p> - -<p>"Then we'll count that out," went on Corinne. -"Father didn't think there was much -likelihood of it—only a remote possibility. -Then there remain only two other possibilities, -and he thinks the most likely one was—the old -leather covers of the journal!"</p> - -<p>"Oh, why did we never think of it ourselves!" -cried Margaret excitedly. Then, a -moment later, with the droop of disappointment -to her mouth: "But if that's so, then -it's gone forever—thanks to Sarah! She had -a red-hot fire that day, I know, and the thing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">218</a></span> -would have dropped in the ashes and never -been found in the world!"</p> - -<p>"But how could the signet have been hidden -in the cover?" queried Bess, skeptically. "It -must have been rather bulky, and <i>we</i> never -saw any evidence of such a thing!"</p> - -<p>"No," corrected Corinne, "Father says the -signet was probably rather flat, and if Alison -was at all clever, she could easily have slid it -under the lining of one of the covers (which -were very thick, if you remember) and pasted -it up so it would never be noticed. He says -he's known of stranger things than that being -done. Anyhow, he thinks that is the place in -which she would have been most likely to hide -it. And if she did, of course, we have no hope -of ever finding it now. But there's one other -possibility—and that's our 'last chance'!"</p> - -<p>"Oh, what <i>is</i> it?" they all demanded, as she -came to a provoking pause.</p> - -<p>"<i>The little hair-trunk!</i>"</p> - -<p>Margaret raised herself in bed and shouted -feebly, "Hurrah!" and then added, "But how -in the world are we ever to get at it?"</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">219</a></span></p> - -<p>"That's just the point!" added Corinne. -"He says we must devise a way of getting at -that trunk, somehow, and since you all are -better acquainted with Sarah and her vagaries -than he is, he leaves it to you to concoct some -plan. If you can't think of <i>any</i> other way, -we'd better tell your mother, and have her -order Sarah to unlock the attic. But of course -that would spoil our secret society, and we -won't try that except as a last resort."</p> - -<p>"I have an idea!" cried Margaret, suddenly. -"I'll ask Mother to-night about the trunk, and -beg her to let me have it to keep some of my -books and things in, because I've taken a -fancy to it. I'm sure she won't refuse me. -And if she orders Sarah to let me have the -trunk, Sarah'll just have to do it!"</p> - -<p>They all agreed that the plan looked exceedingly -hopeful, and Corinne left for home -with the assurance that the trunk would soon -be theirs to search from end to end.</p> - -<p>But when Margaret came to talk it over -with her mother that night, she met with an -unexpected objection.</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">220</a></span></p> - -<p>"Dear heart," said Mrs. Bronson, "you -know that I'd do everything in my power to -grant you any reasonable wish, but don't you -see that your request is a rather inconvenient -one at present? You know that you haven't -been really well for some time, and Sarah has -been working very, very hard taking care of -you days—and nights too, often. She's very -tired now and has been rather ill-humored -lately. Now, I don't know just what she -keeps in that little trunk, but I'm perfectly -sure that, if I ask her to empty it and change -things about in the attic, she won't take it very -pleasantly and <i>may</i> make an awful fuss! -And we can't afford to have her get upset and -leave just now, can we, dear?"</p> - -<p>Margaret ruefully agreed, and had to be -satisfied with her mother's assurance that perhaps, -when she got better, and household matters -had smoothed out, Sarah might be approached -on the subject.</p> - -<p>But this arrangement did not at all suit the -rest of the Antiquarian Club when they held a -solemn council next day.</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">221</a></span></p> - -<p>"Suffering Simpson!" exploded Alexander. -"If we wait for that hunk o' misery, Sarah, to -get in a good humor, we'll wait until horse-radish -tastes good on your ice-cream! Nix on -<i>that</i>!"</p> - -<p>"Well, What are we going to do, then?" demanded -the others, despairingly.</p> - -<p>"Just you leave it to yours truly!" announced -Alexander. "I've got a little -scheme!"</p> - -<p>"Quick! Tell us what it is!"</p> - -<p>Alexander gave an impudent wink, and remarked -casually: "I'm going to nose out -where Sarah keeps the key to the attic!"</p> - -<p>"Splendid!" cried Corinne. "And what -then?"</p> - -<p>"<i>Then</i>—" he finished dramatically, "we're -going to have a grand old meeting of the club -some day when she's out, and rip the stuffing -out of that trunk!"</p> - -<p>It had seemed a simple thing, when Alexander -announced his plan, and every one supposed -it would soon be accomplished. But it -turned out to be a harder task than even<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">222–224</a></span> -he had anticipated. With infinite caution he -searched Sarah's room and all her belongings -when he knew she was safe in the kitchen, and -the twins aided him by keeping guard on the -stairs. But the key was not there. Next, -one night when all the household was abed, he -crept down and inspected every shelf and -cubbyhole and possible or impossible receptacle -in the kitchen and pantry. Neither was -it there. Margaret declared that she knew -Sarah did not carry it in her pocket, nor did -she appear to have anything hanging round -her neck.</p> - -<p>"Then that lallypaloozer must have <i>swallowed</i> -it!" affirmed Alexander, angrily. "But -I'll make one more grand hunt in her room -this afternoon, if the twins will help me out by -watching the stairs. Maybe I overlooked -something!"</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/i_223.jpg" alt="Penknife" /> - <div class="caption"> - <span class="small">He began to tap the inside of the trunk all over, carefully, with the<br /> handle of his penknife</span> - </div> -</div> - -<p>Half an hour later he burst into Margaret's -room with a whoop. "Call a meeting of the -whole club for next Thursday afternoon—it's -Sarah's day out!" he whispered jubilantly. -"I found it!"</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">225</a></span></p> - -<p>"Oh, where, where?" demanded Margaret, -scarcely believing it could be true.</p> - -<p>"<i>In the toe of one of her old shoes!</i>"</p> - - -<p class="p2t">On the last Thursday afternoon of each -month it was Sarah's custom to go out by herself -for three or four hours, leaving the house -and Margaret in charge of the twins. This -was the only outing she ever took. On the -day in question it was understood that Corinne -and her father (who insisted on being present -at this important meeting) should arrive at -three-thirty—after Sarah had gone, or she -might, on seeing them, change her mind and -stay home! Alexander was then to filch the -key from her shoe, open the attic, and, with the -help of the twins, carry the trunk down to -Margaret's room.</p> - -<p>Everything worked smoothly. Sarah departed -as usual, Mr. Cameron and Corinne -arrived, tingling with excitement, Alexander -opened the attic, and the wonderful old trunk -was at last deposited in triumph before Margaret's -bed. They turned out the family's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">226</a></span> -summer flannels carefully, that no spot or -wrinkle on them might in the future disturb -the equilibrium of the uncertain Sarah, and -examined the false bottom with an actual thrill -to think that here, in this very spot, poor frightened -little Alison was wont to conceal the telltale -journal.</p> - -<p>But when the false bottom was removed, -there appeared no trace of a jewel (as they -had all secretly hoped there might be) nor any -crack or crevice where it might be concealed. -The old-fashioned lining was absolutely intact. -Margaret gave a little sigh of disappointment, -but Mr. Cameron remarked:</p> - -<p>"Don't be discouraged! We haven't finished -yet!" And he began to tap the inside of -the trunk all over, carefully, with the handle -of his penknife. Then, suddenly, they beheld -him open the knife and skilfully slip up the -figured lining far in one corner. In another -second he had inserted his fingers in the opening -and was feeling about eagerly. The next -moment he laid something in Margaret's lap, -with just this quiet remark:</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">227</a></span></p> - -<p>"At last, Miss President! <i>The sapphire -signet!</i>"</p> - -<p>There was an instant of amazed silence. -Then, at an indistinct sound from downstairs, -Bess uttered a horrified cry:</p> - -<p>"Merciful goodness! Sarah's come back -already! What <i>shall</i> we do!"</p> - - - - -<hr /> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">228</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER XVII<br /> -<span class="small">IN WHICH SARAH CHANGES HER MIND</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="drop"><span class="uppercase">It</span> was indeed Sarah! The sound of her -latch-key in the basement door was unmistakable. -What could have induced her to return -when she had been away scarcely more -than an hour, they could not imagine, unless -it was her anxiety on Margaret's account. At -any rate, there she was, and a panic of consternation -seized them all. Even the wonderful -signet was forgotten in the stress of the -moment. Strangely enough, it was Margaret -who first regained her poise and grasped the -situation.</p> - -<p>"Quick!" she whispered. "Corinne and -Jess, get those things back in the trunk—any -old way! Bess, you go out and call down to -ask her what's the matter. Maybe she isn't -coming up just yet!"</p> - -<p>They got to work in frantic haste, and Bess<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">229</a></span> -went out in the hall to make her inquiries of -Sarah.</p> - -<p>"What's the trouble, Sarah? You're back -very early!" they heard her ask. And an -answering voice from the basement stairs responded:</p> - -<p>"Sure 'tis rare unhealthy weather fur this -time of year! 'Twas so war-rm I nearly -roasted in me heavy coat—and we not out of -winter yet! I come back fur me lighter cape. -'Tis hangin' in the attic!"</p> - -<p>"We're lost!" muttered Mr. Cameron as -Bess rushed in, despair written all over her -face. "Can't any one think of something to -keep her downstairs for five minutes?"</p> - -<p>And this time it was Alexander who came to -the rescue.</p> - -<p>"Just watch your Uncle Dudley!" he whispered, -as he ambled with apparent unconcern -out of the room. "If you hear me call her -down, give that trunk the boost to the attic as -soon as you can, and put the key back in her -shoe."</p> - -<p>They heard him leisurely descending the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">230</a></span> -stairs, and Sarah's massive tread approaching -nearer and nearer. At one point there came -sounds as of a slight scuffle, and muttered remarks -of "Spalpeen!" and "I'll fix you yet, -young man!" Then Alexander passed on, -whistling derisively, and Sarah's heavy feet -began the ascent of the second-story flight. -Up and up she came, and still nothing happened. -Hope died out in the listening group, -for they were sure now that, whatever Alexander -might do, it would be too late to avert -the catastrophe. Sarah had, indeed, just -planted a broad foot on the top step when they -heard Alexander's shrill voice calling from the -basement:</p> - -<p>"Oh, Sarah! Sarah! Come quick! There's -something afire in the kitchen!"</p> - -<p>"Saints save us!" They heard her exclaim, -and she turned to descend with a speed of -which they had never dreamed her capable.</p> - -<p>"Do you think it's anything <i>serious</i>?" whispered -Jess to Mr. Cameron. "Oughtn't we -go down, too?"</p> - -<p>"No indeed!" he laughed. "I guess we can<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">231</a></span> -trust Alexander. Fortunately, the trunk is -very light, so you girls can get it upstairs -while I listen in the hall to see if they need -help below."</p> - -<p>In five minutes the three girls had the trunk -safely back in its place, and the key restored, -and were back in Margaret's room, panting -from exertion and breathless excitement. -But it was at least a quarter of an hour before -Alexander came up again, chuckling and -smoke-blackened.</p> - -<p>"Well, this is one time when we put it all -over the lallypaloozer!" he exclaimed jubilantly. -"I got that pail of glue I keep in the -yard to paste kites with, and put it on the gas-stove -as if I was going to heat it. Then I -accidentally-on-purpose dropped a lighted -match into that big tin thing where Sarah -keeps the waste paper and scraps. It made a -big blaze, but I knew it couldn't hurt anything, -'cause it's tin all around it. But I -raised a hullabaloo like you'd thought the -Woolworth Building was going up in blue -smoke! It fetched her down, all right, and I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">232</a></span> -figure it'll keep her there a good spell! The -gas-stove's all smoky, and she's cleaning it -up and growling like a bear, so I beat it up -here!"</p> - -<p>Then at last, with their minds relieved, did -they have their first opportunity to consider -their wonderful "find," and they all crowded -around Margaret, in whose little white palm -it lay. The gold setting at the back was -tarnished quite black, but the jewel itself was -apparently unchanged. They gave an involuntary -gasp as they examined it, for it was -even more beautiful than they had imagined. -The flat sapphire itself was as large as a big -Lima bean, flawless, and curiously engraved -with the old-English letter "T," and a crest -above it, looking like two eagles holding a -sword. The surrounding diamonds were tiny, -but finely cut and still brilliant.</p> - -<p>"Isn't it almost unbelievable," half whispered -Margaret, at last, "to think that right -here in my hand I hold the very jewel that cost -poor Alison so much pain and trouble! And, -oh! to think, besides, that it never got back to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">233</a></span> -Bermuda, after all, and probably she didn't -either. It makes me, feel just—sad—somehow!"</p> - -<p>"But what are we going to do with it?" demanded -Corinne.</p> - -<p>Mr. Cameron had been examining the jewel -with all the ardor of a genuine lover of antiques. -He now spoke very quietly:</p> - -<p>"There's only one thing to do, and it's a -solemn duty imposed on us by the writer of -that poor little journal you found. We must -make every effort to discover whether the -Trenhams in Bermuda have any descendants -or relatives existing to-day. No matter how -distant they may be, the signet must be returned -to them, for it was Alison's wish. If -we should find none, that is another matter. -I believe the jewel would then be rightly -counted the property of—the Bronsons of -Charlton Street!"</p> - -<p>The Bronson contingent there present -gasped in chorus!</p> - -<p>"But how shall we go about hunting up the -descendants of the Trenhams?" questioned<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">234</a></span> -Corinne. "That'll be a big piece of work, -won't it?"</p> - -<p>"It probably will, and perhaps a very complicated -one, besides," agreed Mr. Cameron. -"We had better start our investigations with -the Bermuda records, and I'll write down -there to the authorities asking how I can get -hold of data about the family history. The -matter must be dealt with very carefully, because -it is really no light affair. I am convinced, -even in this hasty examination, that the -signet is very rare and of very considerable -value, not only because of the stone itself, but -of its antiquity. It must not be lightly given -away. Its ownership must be proved beyond -a doubt. I expect to be extremely busy for -the next three or four weeks, and may have -little time to give to this matter. But after -that, when business slackens, I can give this -the attention it deserves. Meantime, I think -perhaps it had better be kept in my safe-deposit -box at the bank, where it will be absolutely -safe. We won't trust <i>this</i>, at least, to -Sarah's tender mercies!"</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">235</a></span></p> - -<p>Suddenly Corinne cried out in perplexity: -"But this makes our mystery deeper than ever! -Do you realize it, folks? What became of -poor little Alison, after all? And why were -her trunk and her jewel and half her journal -found floating about in a wrecked vessel?"</p> - -<p>"I tell you, she had to 'walk the plank'!" -reiterated Alexander. "I said so before, and -now I believe it! It'd make a gorgeous old -pirate yarn!"</p> - -<p>"She didn't! She didn't!" wailed Margaret. -"I won't believe such a thing!"</p> - -<p>"Never mind what happened—just yet!" interrupted -Mr. Cameron, soothingly. "The -Antiquarian Club's going to find out the truth -some time—I'm convinced of that!"</p> - - -<p class="p2t">It was two weeks later, about the middle of -March, when Corinne came in to see Margaret -one afternoon with considerable suppressed -excitement in her manner. Margaret was -still confined to her bed, and, though scarcely -so listless as she had seemed at first, she was -undoubtedly weaker. Corinne's visits were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">236</a></span> -now her mainstay of pleasure and interest, and -she welcomed the girl with a glad little cry.</p> - -<p>"I've got news for you, Honey!" said Corinne, -laying her usual offering of flowers and -fresh fruit on the bed.</p> - -<p>"What?" cried Margaret, eagerly.</p> - -<p>"Well, you mustn't be surprised, but -Father hasn't been a bit well again, lately. -The weather's awfully hard on him, and his -business has rushed him, too, and he's all run -down. So in a couple of weeks he's going -to take a vacation and go down to Bermuda -again. It did him a lot of good last time. -He'll stay at least a month, and longer if he -feels like it."</p> - -<p>"Isn't that nice!" cried Margaret, with -great interest. "I'm awfully sorry he doesn't -feel well, but I'm glad he can go to such a -lovely place and get better. You'll miss him -though, won't you, Corinne, because you seem -to be with him such a lot,—more than most -girls are with their fathers!"</p> - -<p>"No," said Corinne, slowly, "I won't miss -him, because—I'm going with him!"</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">237</a></span></p> - -<p>Margaret stared at her a moment wide-eyed, -and her chin quivered—just a mere trifle. -But she braced up with a visible effort and exclaimed:</p> - -<p>"Oh, Corinne! how lovely! You certainly -are a lucky girl!" Then the chin began to -quiver harder, and all at once poor little Margaret -completely lost control of herself, and -buried her head in the pillow, sobbing:</p> - -<p>"Oh, I <i>am</i> glad! I really am glad for you, -Corinne! Don't mind this! Only it just -seemed as though I <i>couldn't</i> live without you -for so long!"</p> - -<p>Corinne gathered the sobbing form in her -arms and crooned to her: "You won't have -to, dearie, for—<i>you're going along, too</i>!"</p> - -<p>Margaret sprang back from her embrace, -pushed the tangled curls from her eyes, and -gazed at Corinne as though her friend had suddenly -gone crazy.</p> - -<p>"<i>What?</i>" was the only word she could utter.</p> - -<p>"Now, just you let me explain it all," began -Corinne, soothingly, settling down on the bed -beside her. "And don't you get so excited, because<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">238</a></span> -it isn't good for you. I'll tell you the -whole story. It was like this. After Father -found it was best to go to Bermuda, he made -up his mind that Aunt Katharine and I might -as well go, too, because he hates to go alone. -And, of course, I was crazy to go, but just one -thing kept me from being <i>entirely</i> delighted, -and that was—<i>you</i>! I hated to leave you, because -I love you, and also because you are not -at all well just now. Father and I have both -been very anxious about you. So we got to -talking it over, and suddenly he said: 'Why -not invite Margaret to come along with you as -your guest! The trip might do her a great -deal of good, and I know you two are growing -as inseparable as a pair of Siamese twins!'</p> - -<p>"Well, you can just warrant I was delighted, -for I knew Father'd never make such -a suggestion unless <i>he</i> really wanted you, too! -He said he would call on your mother at her -place of business, and see if she would consent, -and also on your doctor, to see if he thought -the trip would be advisable. I begged him to -make them keep it a secret, so that, if everything<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">239</a></span> -went well, I could surprise you with the -news when it was all settled. I hated to have -you disappointed in case the doctor thought it -wasn't wise, or your mother felt that she -couldn't consent to your going.</p> - -<p>"Your mother was awfully surprised, of -course, and for a while she almost refused, because -she felt it to be too much for Father to -do. But when she found that it was going to -do you so much good, and how terribly I -wanted you, she gave in. And you needn't -worry about being taken care of and having -everything done for you that Sarah does. -<i>I'm</i> going to do that! It's to be my job, being -your lady's maid, and won't I enjoy it! -Aunt Katharine will help too, when necessary. -She's lovely and kind and gentle, and you're -going to like her a lot!</p> - -<p>"Honey, we sail a week from next Wednesday, -and I can hardly wait for the time to -come!"</p> - - -<p class="p2t">There was surprise and rejoicing in the -Charlton Street house that night when Mrs.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">240</a></span> -Bronson arrived and the great secret became -public property. Mrs. Bronson admitted that -she had known about it for several days, and -was having a pretty outfit of traveling clothes -made for Margaret. The twins were frankly -delighted, for they had been themselves experiencing -much secret anxiety on account of -Margaret's precarious health, as indeed had all -the household. Alexander gave an Indian -war-whoop that was ear-splitting and performed -the acrobatic feat of standing on his -head in the middle of the parlor floor for -three minutes unassisted! The extraordinary -racket brought an indignant Sarah up from -the kitchen to investigate.</p> - -<p>But it was when Sarah heard the news that -consternation fell upon the happy household. -She placed both hands on her massive hips, -threw back her head, squared her shoulders, -and announced:</p> - -<p>"If Margie puts one fut aboard that rampagin' -ship, I go out of this house, never to -retur-rn!"</p> - -<p>Now, when the autocratic Sarah made a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">241</a></span> -statement of this nature, it was time for the -family to tremble! Mrs. Bronson argued, -pleaded, commanded—in vain. Sarah could -no more be budged from her position than the -Rock of Gibraltar. Urged to state her -reasons, she would offer but two. And these -were that, about forty years ago, she herself -had come over from Ireland in a truly "rampagin'" -ship, and never again would she trust -herself or any one she held dear to the mercies -of the ocean. Arguments that ship-building -had made some progress and traveling was -safer since those days had absolutely no effect -on her—in fact, she refused to believe them!</p> - -<p>Her second reason was that Margaret had -been in her care ever since she was born, and -no one else knew so well what to do for the -delicate child. She was firmly convinced that -it would be the death of her beloved charge to -be removed from her oversight. At last the -distracted Mrs. Bronson laid the matter aside -for the night, the girls retired to bed in tears -and indignation, and Alexander dared to -shake his fist at the broad back of Sarah departing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">242</a></span> -to the kitchen. Only Margaret remained -in ignorance of the impending disaster, -and fell asleep happy beyond words.</p> - -<p>The next day Mrs. Bronson sent a request -to Mr. Cameron to call that evening, for she -felt that the situation must be explained to -him. It would be a serious matter if Sarah -kept her word—as she doubtless had every intention -of doing. It also was important, for -the sake of Margaret's health, that she should -get away and have this wonderful change. -Mrs. Bronson was a sorely troubled woman as -she explained the circumstances to her visitor. -Mr. Cameron sat in deep thought for a few -moments. Then he said:</p> - -<p>"Could you have your housekeeper come up -here for a few minutes and allow me to see her -alone?"</p> - -<p>Mrs. Bronson declared that it was entirely -possible, summoned Sarah, who arrived full of -hostile intent, introduced her to the visitor, -and went upstairs, leaving them together for -a while. Margaret had by this time learned of -the trouble, and was nervous and anxious and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">243</a></span> -feverish. Corinne, who had come with her -father, was sitting with her, trying to assure -her that she need not worry. But the assurance -rang hollow in her own ears. She, too, -knew Sarah!</p> - -<p>Presently they were surprised to hear -her heavy footsteps coming upstairs. They -passed the door and entered Mrs. Bronson's -room. Then, in a moment, they returned, -halted, and a singularly changed Sarah stood -in the doorway.</p> - -<p>"Yer father's goin' now, Miss Corinne, and -he wants ye," she announced in a strangely -meek, quiet voice. "I'll be back in two -minutes to fix me child for the night. We -got to get her in good shape before she takes -that rampagin' ship for Bermudy!"</p> - -<p>That was all, but she actually <i>smiled</i>—a -weak, apologetic little smile—before she vanished -from the doorway!</p> - -<p>The girls stared at each other in complete -bewilderment. Never had they witnessed a -change more astonishing.</p> - -<p>"Well, doesn't that beat everything!" exclaimed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">244</a></span> -Margaret. "What could have happened -to Sarah?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know," answered Corinne, "except -that Father's had a talk with her. He told -me, coming over, that your mother had called -him up to-day on the telephone, explained -some of the trouble, and asked him to call to-night. -He said he himself was going to have -an interview with Sarah, and I told him it -probably wouldn't do any good. But he said -he had something that he thought would convince -her ladyship pretty speedily. But he -also said I was <i>not</i> to ask him what it was! -Some time he might tell me, but not at present. -Isn't that mysterious! I really didn't think -he'd succeed. He evidently has! Hurrah!"</p> - -<p>"But what <i>can</i> he have said to Sarah that -would make her change around so!" marveled -Margaret.</p> - -<p>"I'm sure I can't imagine!" cried Corinne. -"But never you mind, honey dear! A week -from next Friday we step off on the island -that was Alison's home! And nothing else -matters!"</p> - - - - -<hr /> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">245</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER XVIII<br /> -<span class="small">TWO SURPRISES</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="drop"><span class="uppercase">"It</span> seems awfully queer to me," remarked -Bess, sitting in the Charlton Street parlor -one afternoon in May, reading a recently -received letter with a foreign postmark, "that -Margaret says absolutely nothing at all, lately, -about whether they've done any work in hunting -up clues to the sapphire signet mystery!"</p> - -<p>"Neither does Corinne," added Jess, looking -over a similarly marked letter that she -held. "They've neither one mentioned the -subject since they sent up that snap-shot of -the Tobacco Rocks some weeks ago. Corinne -said then that they'd driven to see them one -day, and she had 'snapped' them for our -special benefit, because Alexander had discovered -that it was from there the stolen gunpowder -was shipped. I don't think they had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">246</a></span> -much, if anything, to do with <i>our</i> affair, so -I wasn't so much interested in them. I never -felt at all convinced that those two happenings -had any connection whatever."</p> - -<p>"Nor I, either!" agreed Bess. "I wonder -whether they <i>have</i> looked up anything about -Alison, or whether they've been having such a -good time that they've forgotten it completely! -My! but I envy them! Here we are -in this mussy, foggy, chilly, wretched city,—grubbing -along at high, without even time to -have a game of basket-ball, lately! And listen -to what Margaret says of their surroundings:</p> - -<p>"'You never saw such blue, blue water in -your life! And the weather's so warm that -Corinne and her father have been in bathing -several times! I never saw any one <i>swim</i> before! -Corinne swims beautifully! It is so -lovely in this place that I'm sure Heaven -couldn't be any more beautiful. I begin to -feel so much stronger! I'm out every day -and all of the day! Isn't that wonderful—for -me! Mr. Cameron says he feels like a new<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">247</a></span> -being, too. We are going to stay two weeks -longer, because it's doing us all so much -good.'"</p> - -<p>"Bless her heart!" cried Jess. "I'm just -the gladdest girl that ever was because she -could go and is getting on so well. Do you -know, I believe she'd have died pretty soon if -she'd kept on as she was the last of the winter! -I felt perfectly certain then, that she wasn't -going to live, though I never told a soul! I -was absolutely in despair about her!"</p> - -<p>"Same here!" echoed Bess. "I was going -through some mental tortures, too, but I -wasn't bothering any one else with them! -Corinne and her father just saved Margaret's -life, <i>I</i> believe. But here's something queer -in her letter! I just came to it. She ends by -saying:</p> - -<p>"'We have <i>two surprises</i> for you, but you -are not to know a thing about them till we get -home! Oh, I can just see you <i>wiggling</i> with -impatience to know what they are! But it's -useless for you to beg; not a word will we whisper -till we land in America!'</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">248</a></span></p> - -<p>"Now <i>what</i> do you make of that?" demanded -the bewildered Bess.</p> - - -<p class="p2t">The day came at last, when the travelers -were expected to land once more on their -native shores. To the twins it had seemed an -interminable age—the more so since the intended -absence of a month had lengthened itself -to ten long weeks. It had taken longer to -restore Mr. Cameron's health than he had imagined, -and, besides, Margaret had improved -so perceptibly that they decided to stretch the -time of the trip to the limit.</p> - -<p>They had sailed away on a stormy day in -March. They were expected back on the -rarest kind of a day in June, and the entire -Charlton Street household was assembled at -the pier to meet the incoming steamer. This -had been the request of Mr. Cameron himself, -who had written to Mrs. Bronson that, for a -sufficient reason, he wished every one of them -to be there, including Sarah.</p> - -<p>It was four o'clock on a golden afternoon -when the <i>Bermudian</i> came steaming slowly up<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">249</a></span> -the river, picking her stately course among the -heavy ferry-boats and darting tugs that -blocked the way. Alexander, from a perilous -perch on one end of the pier, announced its -coming with a whooping and a waving of his -cap, at which Sarah muttered awful remarks, -sounding like "Let him drown if he falls over—the -young spalpeen!" With beating hearts -they scanned the decks as the vessel drew close -to the side, and the twins quickly picked out -Corinne and her father waving from the side. -But of Margaret they could discern not a sign, -and an awful dread seized them that she must -be too ill to be with the others.</p> - -<p>By a special permit, obtained through Mr. -Cameron, they had been admitted within the -custom-house lines to the very gangway entrance -itself. After maddening delays the -vessel was at last made fast, the gangways adjusted, -and the throngs began to come ashore. -It was toward the last that the ones they were -waiting for so anxiously appeared at the top, -and then it was only Corinne and her father -and aunt who came down.</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">250</a></span></p> - -<p>"But, oh! where is <i>Margaret</i>?" cried Bess, -as Corinne rushed to embrace her. "Why -isn't she with you?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, she'll be along in a minute!" announced -Corinne, unconcernedly. Then suddenly -she turned, and said quietly:</p> - -<p>"Look!"</p> - -<p>They turned at her command, and glanced -upward expecting to see their sister in her -usual wheel-chair. Instead, there at the top -of the gangway—<i>stood</i> Margaret, rosy, -plump, and browned by the sun! And under -her arms were a pair of <i>crutches</i>! When she -saw her own family below, she blew them a -kiss, adjusted her crutches, and proceeded -down the gangway alone, haltingly, it is true, -but refusing the assistance of the anxious -steward who hovered behind her!</p> - -<p>To the members of her family, who never in -all their lives had beheld her on her feet, the -sight was almost overwhelming. The twins -and their mother were actually too stunned to -speak, and Alexander relieved himself only by -a low-muttered, "<i>Can</i> you beat it!"—his favorite<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">251</a></span> -expression of surprise. But it was Sarah -who did the most astonishing thing. She tore -up the gangway, snatched Margaret when she -was but half-way down, and bore her back, -crutches and all, to the group below, crying:</p> - -<p>"Me little darlint! It's true! It's true! -I didn't believe it!"</p> - - -<p class="p2t">The Charlton Street house was a scene that -night of such festivity and rejoicing as it had -probably never known before in all its history. -Corinne and her father and aunt had accompanied -the Bronsons home, and stayed to a -feast that Sarah had evolved in some sudden -and mysterious manner, for she had been away -from the house all of the afternoon. But -Sarah was an adept at such bits of necromancy. -Then, when the older folks were still talking -hard and fast, the five young people drew -apart by themselves, and Jess said:</p> - -<p>"Now, for goodness' sake, explain the whole -business again! My brain is so bewildered I -can't seem to understand it all yet!"</p> - -<p>It was Corinne who tried to straighten out<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">252</a></span> -the tangle. She told how, before they started -on their trip, her father had suddenly become -possessed with the idea that perhaps something -could be done to help Margaret's trouble if -only the right physician could be found. It -happened that he was personally acquainted -with a doctor famous for his success in this very -kind of case and who also usually spent a few -weeks at that season of the year in Bermuda. -If Margaret could be helped by any one in the -world, Mr. Cameron felt sure it would be by -this surgeon. So he privately made up his -mind that the famous specialist should be consulted -as soon as they got there. But of this -he said not a word to any one, lest it should -only be a cause of disappointment in case no -good was accomplished.</p> - -<p>Corinne laughed, however, when she said -there was one exception to this. On the night -when Sarah had issued her awful ultimatum, -Mr. Cameron made up his mind that the only -way to influence her was to tell her, privately, -his hopes for Margaret. This he did, and it -had the remarkable effect that had so bewildered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">253</a></span> -them. This, also, was the reason -why Sarah seemed the least surprised and had -said such strange things that day at the pier.</p> - -<p>The doctor had been consulted soon after -they reached Bermuda and when Margaret -had grown a little stronger. His verdict was -that with a certain kind of treatment there was -a slight hope that she might some day recover -the use of her limbs. This treatment she had -had during the whole of their stay, with the -wonderful result that, two weeks before their -return, Margaret took her first steps with the -crutches. The specialist himself was returning -to New York shortly and would continue -his work with her. He was now almost positive -that she might, in the course of time, even -discard her crutches and walk alone, on her -two feet, unassisted, like the rest of ordinary -humanity. It was a treat to watch the beaming -happiness on Margaret's face while Corinne -rehearsed this tale. It spoke more eloquently -than any words she could have uttered.</p> - -<p>"Well, that's your big surprise!" sighed -Bess, contentedly. "And it certainly is a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">254</a></span> -monster one! Now what's the other? You -know you wrote that there were two!"</p> - -<p>"The other's almost as big!" exclaimed -Margaret, her eyes snapping with eagerness. -"We've found out the <i>whole</i> history of Alison, -and solved every bit of the mystery!"</p> - -<p>"<i>No!</i>" cried three of the listeners in astonishment. -"Honestly? Tell us—right away! -We thought you'd forgotten all about it!"</p> - -<p>"No," said Margaret, "I'm not going to tell -you just now. To-morrow we'll have a big -old meeting of the Antiquarian Club, and -we'll give the entire account then! Not a -minute before!"</p> - -<p>"But did you find the owner of the sapphire -signet?" they clamored.</p> - -<p>And to this, also, the provoking Margaret -would only lay her finger on her lips, and smile, -and murmur, "<i>To-morrow!</i>"</p> - - - - -<hr /> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">255</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER XIX<br /> -<span class="small">THE MISSING LINKS</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="drop"><span class="uppercase">"So</span> you thought that because we were having -such a good time in Bermuda, we -had forgotten all about the mystery!" laughed -Margaret, the next afternoon, at the grand assembly -of the Antiquarian Club. They were -all gathered in the Charlton Street parlor—all -but Mr. Cameron. He had, indeed, fully expected -to be present, not intending to go to -his office till the following day. But unexpected -business had called him there, after all, -so he could only send his hearty regrets to the -meeting of the club. It seemed like old times -for the young folks to be together again in -this familiar room. The only wonderful difference -was in Margaret. No longer was she -ensconced in her accustomed wheel-chair, but -in a big "comfy" armchair, with her cherished<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">256</a></span> -crutches leaning against its arm. No longer -did she seem a wan, frail, delicate little invalid, -but a brown, rosy, plump, and increasingly -energetic young person. But the sweetness -of her smile and the shy, trusting expression -of her big gray eyes had not changed.</p> - -<p>"Yes, I know you all must have thought -we'd forgotten it," she went on; "but we -hadn't—not for a minute! Only, for several -weeks, we didn't seem to make any progress -with it at all. We used to inquire of every -native Bermudian we met if he or she had ever -heard of any one living there by the name of -Trenham; but no one seemed to have any ideas -at all about it. They'd say they hadn't heard -of the name themselves, but would always refer -you to some one else, who would turn out to -know as little as they did! It was awfully -discouraging! Finally, Mr. Cameron suggested -that the only way would probably be -to go around to all the different parish -churches and consult the old parish registers -for the lists of births and marriages and -deaths. He thought the name had probably<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">257</a></span> -died out long ago, and perhaps no relatives or -descendants remained, or were even remembered.</p> - -<p>"Well, this seemed a big piece of work, of -course, and none of us felt quite like attempting -it just then, for Mr. Cameron wasn't yet -a bit well himself, and I was having treatments -every day with the big doctor in Hamilton. -So we decided to put it off for a while. -And then—meantime—a very unexpected -thing happened!</p> - -<p>"You know, we were staying at a big hotel -about four miles from Hamilton, near Harrington -Sound. Mr. Cameron likes it there -because it's out of the city, well away from -everything distracting, like the things going on -in Hamilton. Part of this hotel is big and -new, but another section, where the dining-room -is, has been standing for over two -hundred years. You can see how old it is by -its very looks, and we heard that it was really -the old homestead of the proprietor's ancestors.</p> - -<p>"The housekeeper is a dear, kindly lady,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">258</a></span> -and we got rather well acquainted with her, -because often we had to ask her for different -and rather unusual things for me. She was -just lovely to me, always, and after a while we -had some long, interesting talks with her about -Bermuda and the different families living -there. And once she took us up to her own -apartments, in the old part of the house, and -showed us a collection of the most wonderful -old furniture and antiques that had been in her -own and her husband's families since way, way -back. Corinne and her father went just wild -over them, for you know how they love antiques!</p> - -<p>"Well, one day we thought we'd ask <i>her</i> -if she'd ever heard of any one on the island by -the name of Trenham. She said no, she -hadn't, but, if we were interested to find out, -she'd take us over to the South Shore to see -a very old lady there who knew lots and lots -about Bermuda history and former people. -She said she was driving to Hamilton that -morning on some business, but would first take -us over to the Jewell Farm, introduce us to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">259</a></span> -old Mrs. Jewell, go on to Hamilton, and come -back to get us later. She declared that the -old lady would be delighted to have us come, -because she was blind now and had very little -to entertain her, and she loved to talk to -people.</p> - -<p>"This seemed too good a chance to lose, and -Corinne and I accepted at once. Mr. Cameron -had gone off on a fishing-trip, so he -couldn't be included. We piled into the big, -comfy carriage, and you ought to see that -great, strapping driver lift me in and out and -carry me around! Well, we got to the Jewell -Farm over on the South Shore, and, oh, folks! -how I wish you could all see that place! It's -simply the most charming old house—two -hundred and fifty years old!—set high on a hill -overlooking that marvelous blue ocean, with -a garden all around it that is like the things -you dream about! We took some pictures of -the house and garden which I'll show you -later, but they don't do it anything like justice. -You can only get a faint idea of its <i>real</i> -beauty!</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">260</a></span></p> - -<p>"And the whole house, inside, was filled with -the dearest old-time furniture! It nearly set -Corinne crazy! But never mind about all that -now—we must come to the <i>best</i> part! The -driver carried me in, and we were introduced -to the sweetest old lady you ever saw! She -was nearly ninety-five, with snow-white hair; -and a dainty lace cap over it. Her eyes were -pretty and blue, and you'd hardly guess, to -look at her, that she couldn't see a thing. If -she'd known us all her life, she couldn't have -received us more cordially, or seemed less surprised -to have complete strangers landed on -her without any warning. She made us feel -at home and acquainted right away, and after -a few moments the housekeeper left us alone -with her and went on to Hamilton.</p> - -<p>"We didn't like to introduce the subject we -were most interested in right away, so we -chatted with her about her lovely old home, and -the furniture in it, and its history. After a -while, though, when we could bring it in naturally, -we asked her if she had ever known -any one by the name of Trenham in Bermuda.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">261</a></span> -She gave the most curious little start, but only -said very quietly:</p> - -<p>"'I would like to know why you ask? -Whom do you know of that name?' Well, -Corinne and I looked at each other and I saw -we were agreed that it was time to make a bold -move, so I said right out that we were very -much interested in some one who lived in Bermuda -a long while ago and whose name was -Alison Trenham.</p> - -<p>"Folks, if I live to be a hundred, I'll never -forget the strange expression that came over -that old lady's face when I spoke that name! -For a minute or two she didn't answer—just -sat quietly thinking. Then at last she said, -still very quietly:</p> - -<p>"'Yes, I know the name! I have heard of -only one Alison Trenham in my life, and that -was—<i>my grandmother</i>!'"</p> - -<p>There was a gasp and a start from her -listeners, and Margaret laughed as she continued:</p> - -<p>"You'd just better believe <i>we</i> jumped, too! -And I thought Corinne's eyes would pop out<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">262</a></span> -of her head—she looked so startled! I just -couldn't help smiling to myself at her expression, -though I was so deep in other things. -Then I said:</p> - -<p>"'Well, Mrs. Jewell, since you <i>do</i> know an -Alison Trenham, and she was your own grandmother, -I guess we'd just better tell you our -whole story. For the two Alisons <i>may</i> turn -out to be the same!' Then, as quickly as I -could, I told her all about finding the trunk -and the journal, and our Antiquarian Club, -and all the discoveries we made afterward, and -how we'd come to a snag and could get no -further. I even told her how Sarah had -burned the original journal. But I didn't say -a word about the sapphire signet—just then. -I wish you could have seen the expression on -her face all the time I was talking! It was as -though she were listening to a story so strange -that she couldn't believe a word of it! I ended -by begging her, please, if she could throw the -least light on our mystery, to oblige us by doing -so, as it was the chief aim of our Antiquarian -Club to find the key to the riddle!</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">263</a></span></p> - -<p>"She was silent a long time after I had finished—so -long that we were beginning to think -she must have fallen asleep, for she had covered -her eyes with her hand, and was leaning her -elbow on the arm of the chair. But suddenly -she spoke, saying very low:</p> - -<p>"'All this seems like a dream to me! You -children have stumbled upon a secret that I -supposed no mortal would ever discover in this -world! The ways of chance are very mysterious! -Yes, it is the same Alison; and since you -know so much, I am going to tell you the rest -of the story, though she made me solemnly -promise, when I was a young girl, that I would -never tell a soul. That is why I was hesitating. -But I feel certain that, were she to know -these circumstances, she would have no real -objection to your knowing the whole story. -It can harm no one now—least of all herself!</p> - -<p>"'As I told you, she was my grandmother. -I was born in 1820, and she was then a woman -sixty years old. My own mother and father -died in my infancy, and left me to her care. -This was her home, this same old farm, and I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">264–266</a></span> -came here to live with her. We are a long-lived -race, here in Bermuda, and she lived on -to be almost ninety-five, as I myself am doing! -A few years before she died she told me that -she had something on her conscience that she -would like to tell me, because she felt that she -would die happier, knowing that she had not -kept the secret unconfessed to the end. She -made me promise I would never disclose it, as -some of it had once been of political consequence, -and she had always feared its discovery.'</p> - -<p>"And now, folks, I'm going to tell you the -story of Alison in my own words, because I -can't remember all of hers!" ended Margaret. -Then she re-settled herself in her big chair and -began anew, very much flattered by the breathless -attention of her auditors.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/i_265.jpg" alt="Slow to answer" /> - <div class="caption"> - <span class="small">"For a minute or two she didn't answer"</span> - </div> -</div> - -<p>"Alison Trenham lived on this same old -farm with her grandfather, Archibald Trenham. -Her parents had both been lost at sea -when she was little, and that's why she was -living with him. He was a queer, crabby sort -of an old man, and had never loved Alison<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">267</a></span> -because he was so disappointed she hadn't -been a boy. She was a big, beautiful-looking, -athletic girl, and he had had her taught to -ride, and swim, and sail a boat, and do most -of the things boys generally do, besides learning -to read and write and some Latin and -French. It was his whim that she should -be educated like a boy, even if she wasn't -one.</p> - -<p>"But she was restless and discontented and -headstrong, and hated her life there with her -grandfather, and wanted the worst way to go -away from Bermuda altogether and see some -of the world. She had an aunt, a Madame -Pennington, living down at Flatts (that's -right where our hotel was), and a cousin Betty, -and she was very fond of them both. The -aunt was like a mother to her, and spoiled her -a lot. Well, Alison confided to her aunt that -she wanted to go away from Bermuda, but -that her grandfather wouldn't hear of it. -And she said she was so crazy to go that sometime -she was going to run away!</p> - -<p>"The aunt was very much shocked, but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">268</a></span> -finally Alison begged her so hard that she consented -to write to a friend of hers in New -York, a Madame Mortier, and get her to invite -Alison up there for a long visit. Madame -Mortier wrote back that she would be delighted -to have Alison come, especially as her -husband had just lately died and she was very -lonely. So that much was arranged, and -Alison was delighted. But the difficulty was -to get away from Bermuda without her grandfather -knowing, for he would never have consented. -Alison discovered a way out of this -herself, and here comes the exciting part! -Alexander, you were <i>right</i>, after all, as you'll -see in a moment!"</p> - -<p>"Oh, your Uncle Dudley's right sometimes," -grumbled that irrepressible youngster, -trying to conceal his satisfaction.</p> - -<p>"Now, to go on. One day Alison happened -to meet, quite unexpectedly, a neighbor of -theirs, a young fellow named Harrington -Ord—"</p> - -<p>"<i>'H'!</i>" shouted the listening ones, simultaneously.</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">269</a></span></p> - -<p>"Yes, you're right! that was 'H'! He had -been away on a cruise with his uncle, George -Ord, in his uncle's ship, the <i>Lady</i>. Harrington -said they had only touched at St. -George's for a day or so to take on a cargo -of salt, and would then be off again for -America. Then Alison saw her chance. She -begged Harrington to ask his uncle if she -might be taken aboard to go with them without -letting her grandfather know. She knew -the uncle and her grandfather had some standing -quarrel between them, and that George -Ord would not be sorry to do anything to get -the best of the old man. Harrington hesitated -about it, then finally confided to her -the news that his uncle was engaged in a -strange plot—"</p> - -<p>"The gunpowder!" exclaimed the audience.</p> - -<p>"Yes, the very thing! Alexander was exactly -right in his guess! George Ord was -planning to steal the gunpowder the very next -night, and all the details were arranged except -one thing, and that was puzzling them all -dreadfully. It was this: the governor slept with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">270</a></span> -the keys of the magazine under his pillow, and -how to get at them without disturbing him, -nobody could think. Some one had suggested -putting a heavy sleeping-powder in his food, -but that was all but impossible, as no one knew -any of his servants or could get into his -kitchen. Harrington had the powder in his -pocket, and, at his wits' end, he showed it to -Alison. She had an idea right away. She -told him to give it to her, and she would see -that it got to its proper destination all right, -if, in return, his uncle would take her secretly -to America.</p> - -<p>"He declared that his uncle would be only -too delighted to reward her in that way, and -everything was arranged. She was to go next -day to her aunt's as if for a week's visit. That -same afternoon she would take a little cat-boat -and sail by herself up to St. George's, -and be taken aboard the <i>Lady</i> at sundown, as -she was setting sail, and when no one was -observing. But first she intended to stop at -the governor's mansion and make a call on his -niece, whom she knew rather well.</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">271</a></span></p> - -<p>"Everything went off like clockwork! Her -grandfather suspected nothing. She got to -her aunt's and bade her good-by, sailed up to -St. George's in her little dinghy, called on the -governor's niece, and, before she left, went -down to the kitchen to see the colored cook -Dinah, who was a sister of her grandfather's -cook and was rather fond of Alison. She -found, just as she had expected, that Dinah -was preparing the governor's little afternoon -snack of cake and a glass of wine. When -Dinah wasn't looking, she quietly dropped the -powder in the wine, and the game was won! -Later, as she went out, she saw him drinking -it.</p> - -<p>"Well, the governor slept like a log that -night, and you all know how successful the -rest of the scheme was! Captain Ord was so -grateful to Alison that he couldn't do enough -for her. He landed in New York, and Harrington -escorted her to Richmond Hill, the -home of Madame Mortier. The old song, -'The Lass of Richmond Hill,' was very popular -just then, and Harrington kept teasing Alison<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">272</a></span> -by whistling and singing it constantly, and saying -<i>she</i> was now that 'lass'!</p> - -<p>"Madame Mortier was lovely to her at first, -and seemed delighted to have her there. But -Alison didn't have a very lively time, because -Madame Mortier lived a very secluded -and quiet life, and her house was way off from -the city, and she never went anywhere. And -Alison found out, too, that she was a strict -Tory, and hated Washington and the rebels, -and felt very bitter about the war that was just -commencing. Now, Alison had heard a lot -about Washington from Captain Ord and -Harrington, who both admired him terrifically, -and she herself had begun to feel a great respect -for the rebel leader. But when she -spoke in praise of him, one day, Madame Mortier -just 'jumped on her,' as Alexander would -say, and almost went crazy denouncing him.</p> - -<p>"Well, by and by Alison began to feel dreadfully -lonely and homesick, and just longed to -go back to Bermuda, and wished she'd never -come away! But getting back was more difficult -than coming to New York. She didn't<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">273</a></span> -like to tell Madame Mortier she was tired of -her and wanted to leave, for she had been invited -to stay a year, at least, as a companion -to the old lady. Then something happened -that changed the whole face of affairs for her—two -things, in fact!</p> - -<p>"A sailor from Captain Ord's ship turned -traitor some months after the gunpowder affair, -and in Corbie's tavern let it all out and -told how Alison had been mixed up in the plot,—or -at least, that he suspected she was, for -he didn't actually know about her drugging -the governor. This got round to the steward, -whom we all know about, and finally was -hinted at by him to Madame Mortier. She -began to treat poor Alison very coldly and -suspiciously, without, however, telling her the -real reason. She evidently thought Alison -was some kind of a spy! And Alison never -guessed the reason till Harrington gave her -the hint that night under her window.</p> - -<p>"Anyhow, that was when she first began to -feel uneasy, and as if things had changed in -the house and she was not altogether safe there.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">274</a></span> -But the climax came when one stormy winter -day she and Madame Mortier were driving -home along Greenwich road and saw ahead -of them a coach whose wheel had come off and -whose horses were snorting and kicking with -fright. The driver could seem to do nothing -with them. Alison got out, rushed to the -horses, and held them steady till they quieted -down. She knew horses well and just how to -treat them. Then, while the wheel was being -adjusted, she spoke to the occupant of the -coach, who proved to be none other than Lady -Washington!</p> - -<p>"She was traveling through the city on her -way from Virginia to her husband's camp outside -Boston when the accident happened. She -congratulated Alison on her skill with horses, -and asked her about herself. Alison was just -beginning to tell her about Bermuda and how -she longed to go back, when Madame Mortier, -who had just learned about the occupant of -the broken coach, rushed up and dragged her -bodily away! And then things got worse and -worse!</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">275</a></span></p> - -<p>"Now, there's no need of telling you all -that happened after that because we know it; -so I'll skip at once to the night of that last -entry in the journal, and explain how it came -to be so mysteriously broken off. While Alison -was sitting there writing, she suddenly -heard again the mysterious footsteps, just as -she had that time before. She was horribly -nervous, but she suspected something wrong -and crept to the door and opened it to peep -out. And there, sure enough, was the steward, -come back from Corbie's tavern, and evidently -going down to the cellar again! Alison -was scared to death, but, almost unconsciously, -she found herself creeping after him, her journal -still in her hand.</p> - -<p>"Suddenly on the stairs something made -him turn—and he saw her! Before she could -cry out he made one leap and clapped his hand -over her mouth. Then with the other he tried -to get hold of the journal. She began to -struggle and twist, and try to keep it away -from him, and he whispered that if she made -a sound he would kill her right there! Still<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">276</a></span> -she kept struggling, but at last he got hold of -it and gave it a wrench. Of course it came -in half, and at the same moment she got free -from him and ran like mad to her own room -and locked herself in.</p> - -<p>"She hid the half of the journal she had kept -hold of in the bottom of her trunk, and stayed -for hours shivering with fright and listening -at the door. Then, at last, not hearing anything -more, she crept out, and rushed to -Phœbe's room, and told her all about it. They -decided that it was best to wait no longer, but -tell the whole thing to Washington at early -dawn, and let him take matters into his own -hands. They had the interview, and Washington -acted on the matter at once. He got -his life-guard, Thomas Hickey, made him confess -the whole thing, and then sent out and -had every one of the conspirators arrested. -Strangely enough, the steward was nowhere -to be found. He had disappeared completely, -and was never seen or heard of again. He -had probably thought it wise to take flight in -the night. Alison always thought, too, that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">277</a></span> -he was intending to run away when he did, -anyhow, without warning any one, because he -had appropriated a lot of the gold and money -that was to be used in paying the conspirators. -That was what he had kept hidden in the beam, -and he had removed it all that very night, preparatory -to making off with it.</p> - -<p>"Early that morning, Washington sent -Phœbe back to the city to stay with her father, -as she would be safer there. And as he -thought the house no longer a safe place for -his wife, either, he arranged to despatch her -at once with a strong escort to Philadelphia. -Alison had told him her own story, explained -how she aided in the gunpowder plot, and -begged him to send her back to Bermuda if -he could. He was so grateful to her for the -assistance which she had twice given that he -told her he would send her to Philadelphia -with Lady Washington, and there would arrange -that she should sail for her home as soon -as was possible.</p> - -<p>"So Alison packed her little trunk, and without -even bidding Madame Mortier good-by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">278</a></span> -(for of course she didn't dare see her) she -left that morning with Lady Washington, and -never again in all her life looked upon Richmond -Hill. In Philadelphia she was fortunate -enough to catch a vessel sailing at once for -Bermuda, but before she got to her home one -other accident was to happen to her. The ship -ran into a terrific storm and was completely -dismasted. It almost foundered, but, after -drifting around helplessly for more than a -week, the passengers and crew were at last rescued -by another vessel, leaving all their belongings -behind on the wreck, and finally were -landed in Bermuda.</p> - -<p>"She went straight to her aunt first, for she -did not dare go to her grandfather, thinking -he had never forgiven her for running away. -But her aunt told her that her grandfather, -though terribly angry with her at first, was -now very, very ill, and kept constantly calling -for her. So she returned to him and was forgiven, -and nursed him tenderly till he died, -leaving her the fine old farm. A few years -later she married Harrington Ord, for he had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">279</a></span> -always admired and loved her. He died, in -later years, by falling from the mast of the -vessel of which he was captain, and Alison was -left alone with one daughter, who also married, -after a time, and it was <i>her</i> daughter, -old Mrs. Jewell, who told us the story. Alison -lived all her life in secret terror lest her -part in the gunpowder plot should ever be -discovered by the Bermudians, for she felt that -she had been disloyal to her country in the -part she played. Yet she never wholly regretted -it, because of the intense admiration -she always felt for Washington, and her gratitude -to him for his timely rescue of her. Madame -Mortier died soon after her departure, -and never knew about the defeat of her beloved -Tories.</p> - -<p>"So that is the end of the story, folks, and I -guess I've explained everything!"</p> - -<p>"No, you haven't!" said Alexander promptly. -"What about that half of the diary that -we found in the beam! Put us wise to that!"</p> - -<p>"Well, of course, that's one of the things -we can't be absolutely certain about, but can<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">280</a></span> -only guess at. The steward had gone off with -that half, and Alison never saw it again. She -always wondered what became of it. We -think, though, that the steward must have come -back that night looking for the slip of paper -that he had forgotten or lost. He evidently -thought it might be left in his hiding-place, -and was on the way to hunt it up. Then he -had the encounter with Alison, and got hold -of that half of her diary. He must have taken -it to the cellar, examined it hurriedly, written -on it that mysterious sentence, and thrown it -into the opening where he hid his things. -Probably he looked for his paper, and, not -finding it, thought he'd dropped it elsewhere. -We think likely he didn't suspect that any -one had discovered the place in the beam. -That's the only explanation that seems possible."</p> - -<p>"Yes," objected Alexander, still unconvinced, -"but how came it to remain there all -that time untouched? Didn't they go and -search the beam afterward? Didn't any one -else ever know about it?"</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">281</a></span></p> - -<p>"No, it seems that Phœbe and Alison, in their -hurry that morning, did not think to tell Washington -where they had found the paper. They -didn't have time—everything had to be done -so quickly. They just gave it to him and told -who the conspirators were. Then Phœbe was -sent right off, and Alison went away, too, and, -of course, nobody else ever knew about it or -suspected it. So it lay through all the years -till Alexander unearthed it! Isn't it too wonderful!"</p> - -<p>"Then that gink of a steward must have beat -it out for keeps!" commented Alexander. -"Guess he didn't think it'd be healthy for him -to shine about those parts again, after he'd -got away with all the swag! He was <i>some</i> -pippin, he was!"</p> - -<p>"Well," ended Margaret, "now you know -all the mystery and the history of Alison Trenham, -and I hope you're satisfied!"</p> - -<p>"<i>Satisfied!</i>" ejaculated Bess, sitting up very -straight. "When you haven't said one word -about the <i>sapphire signet</i>—the most important -thing of all? I guess <i>not</i>!"</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">282</a></span></p> - -<p>"I was wondering when you'd begin to be -curious about that," commented Margaret, -with her tantalizing smile. "Since you seem -a little anxious on the subject, I'll go on with -the second half of the story. Well, as I've -hinted, we didn't say a word about the signet -to the old lady, and she didn't mention it in -her account either. But when she had finished, -Corinne asked her if there was anything else -she knew of that had troubled Alison's mind—whether -she'd ever heard her grandmother -speak of something she'd lost. And at that -Mrs. Jewell looked awfully surprised, and said -no, her grandmother had never spoken of anything -else, and what did we mean?</p> - -<p>"Then we told her all about the signet, and -how we'd found it, and how valuable it was, -and how we wanted above everything to return -it to Alison's descendant, and were so glad -we'd found her at last. Well, if you'll believe -me, Mrs. Jewell looked simply stunned -for a while, as if she couldn't trust her senses! -And we had the hardest time convincing her -that the signet was really hers and she must<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">283</a></span> -take it. She insisted it ought to be ours, since -we had found it. But finally we managed to -convince her that she was its rightful owner, -and told her that Mr. Cameron would get it -from the safe at the hotel and bring it over to -her the next day."</p> - -<p>"But why do you suppose Alison never told -her about it?" interrupted Jess.</p> - -<p>"That's just what we all couldn't fathom -for a while, till at last Mrs. Jewell explained -it in this way. Of course, when Alison was -shipwrecked and rescued, she naturally supposed -her trunk went down to the bottom of -the ocean with the wreck. She told her grandmother -that they had had to cling to the decks -for several days, and never dared to go down to -the cabins, for most of them were full of water. -So she couldn't get at her trunk to take out -anything. We think that when she realized -that the signet was lost forever, and after her -grandfather had forgiven her for everything -(including that, no doubt), she just forgot all -about the matter and either didn't think of it -again, or else didn't want to. What troubled<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">284</a></span> -her most was the fear that the second half of -her journal would sometime be discovered and -deciphered, and she, perhaps, be considered -a traitor for twice giving aid to Washington.</p> - -<p>"But now listen to the best part of the story, -which comes last! We had asked Mrs. Jewell -to say nothing just yet about what we'd told -her, and when the housekeeper came back for -us, the old lady bade us good-by as calmly as -though we hadn't just given her the surprise -of her life. But on the drive to the hotel we -asked a few questions about her and found out, -to our astonishment, that old Mrs. Jewell was -really in very straitened circumstances. For -years she had supported herself by doing -the most beautiful lacework, and had earned -enough to live on. But since her blindness -came, her money had gradually disappeared, -and she had had to borrow on the farm and -the lovely old furniture. The housekeeper -said she was afraid it wouldn't be long before -she would lose everything. Every one was so -sorry for her and wanted to help, but she was -very proud and would accept nothing from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">285</a></span> -them. No one could imagine what she would -do when she was homeless.</p> - -<p>"It set us thinking hard, of course, and we -told Mr. Cameron about it that night. He -only said we must leave it to him, and he'd -think out a scheme. Next day we three drove -over there with the signet, and placed it in -old Mrs. Jewell's hands. And right then and -there Mr. Cameron told her that, if she cared to -sell it to him, he'd be only too delighted to -buy it. And he offered her enough to keep -her living comfortably for the rest of her -days.</p> - -<p>"You should have seen that poor old lady's -face! She begged and protested that he -should not give so much, that she could not accept -it. But he assured her that he knew positively -it was the real value of the signet, and -to prove it, read her a letter he'd received from -some authority in such things. She gave in -at last, and we left her with that big, fat check -in her hands—the happiest woman in all Bermuda!"</p> - -<p>"But what has become of the sapphire signet?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">286</a></span> -demanded her listeners, as Margaret -paused.</p> - -<p>"Here it is!" said Corinne, quietly, and she -pulled from under the neck of her dress a thin -golden chain. There on the end dangled the -wonderful sapphire signet, more beautiful than -ever since it had been cleaned and polished.</p> - -<p>"Father has given it to me, and I'm going -to keep it always, in memory of the long-ago -Alison and the strange way we stumbled on -her mystery. I shall not wear it all the time, -for it's too rare and valuable to run the risk -of losing. But I put it on to-day in honor of -the most satisfactory meeting the Antiquarian -Club ever held!"</p> - - -<p class="p2t">It was about noon of a day a week or two -later that Corinne and Margaret stood together -at the open window of the Charlton -Street parlor. A light breeze flapped the -awnings to and fro, a warm midday sun shone -on the pavements outside, and the droning -sound of busy Varick Street came distantly -to them as they stood looking out. The twins<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">287</a></span> -were still at high school, but Corinne had not -returned there, as she was expecting to study -up during the summer and in the autumn pass -the examinations she was now missing. So, -during these idle days, she spent the greater -part of her time with Margaret. Since their -long Bermuda weeks together, they had grown -into even closer intimacy, and sisters could not -have loved each other with deeper devotion.</p> - -<p>Leaning on her crutches, Margaret idly -plucked the dead leaves from a geranium in -the window-box, and Corinne stood twisting -one of the younger girl's dark curls around -her finger. Presently she said:</p> - -<p>"Father had a letter from old Mrs. Jewell -this morning. She says words would be impossible -to describe how happy she is. She -thinks it just marvelous that we girls were led -to do what we did, for she was in desperate -straits when we first came. She declares she -would never have accepted it as a charity, but -it was really help from her own dead kindred -sent through us. She considers it an absolute -<i>miracle</i>!"</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">288</a></span></p> - -<p>"Isn't it strange!" began Margaret. -"That's the exact word Mother used last -night when we were talking it over. She said -it all seemed like a miracle to her—the way -you came into our lives, and walked straight -to the heart of the mystery that very first day; -the way we worked it all out and restored what -was her own to Alison's granddaughter just -in the nick of time; and best of all, what's happened -to me!"</p> - -<p>"Well, I wasn't left out in the miracle -way, either," laughed Corinne; "for I've had -the loveliest adventure imaginable, and made -the very dearest friend of all my life!" She -squeezed Margaret's hand, and the two girls -looked for one long, understanding moment -into each other's eyes. After a quiet interval -Corinne spoke again:</p> - -<p>"Margaret, there's something I never told -you! No one but Father knows it. But I'm -going to tell you now. Do you know what I -plan to be when I am older?"</p> - -<p>Margaret looked up at her in quick interest, -and said: "No! Tell me!"</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">289</a></span></p> - -<p>"Well, it's my ambition to be a writer. -Father says I have some gift in that direction, -and I am constantly practising at it. But, -after I've learned how and can really write -what people might like to read, the first story -I'm going to tell is the one about Alison Trenham -and the wonderful way she helped to rescue -Washington at the time he was in such -danger!"</p> - -<p>"Oh, that's perfectly splendid!" cried Margaret. -"I wish I could do something like that, -but I'm afraid it isn't in me. Shall I tell you -<i>my</i> chief ambition, Corinne? I want to get -so strong that I can join a basket-ball team—and -beat the twins at it!"</p> - -<p>"Bless your heart, Honey!" exclaimed Corinne, -"you're going to be the <i>captain</i> of that -team, I'll be willing to wager!"</p> - -<p>Just at that moment Alexander came swinging -down the street on his way home to luncheon, -whistling the tune that had come to be -such a momentous one in their lives. Margaret -smiled as she heard it, and suddenly -turned to her friend:</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">290</a></span></p> - -<p>"Corinne, I want you to promise me something! -When you come to write the story of -Alison, I want you to call it 'The Lass of -Richmond Hill'! I think that would be the -most appropriate title for it. Will you?"</p> - -<p>Corinne thought it over a moment, then -she said, slowly: "Yes, I think you 're right! -I promise to call it—'The Lass of Richmond -Hill'!"</p> - - -<p class="in0 center p3t">THE END</p> - - - - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<div class="transnote"> -<h2 class="nobreak p1">Transcriber's Note</h2> - -<p>Apparent typographical errors have been repaired.</p> - -</div> -</div> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's The Sapphire Signet, by Augusta Huiell Seaman - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SAPPHIRE SIGNET *** - -***** This file should be named 55964-h.htm or 55964-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/5/9/6/55964/ - -Produced by Larry B. 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