dious palate would dislike the flavor of a wooden
plate. But then, intimate as she was through hearsay with the Mansion
household, Susanna had yet never heard about burnt suppawn, and how an
old-time gentlewoman can eat it without grimacing, even though she choke
in the event. And Alfaretta--Her happiness must be guessed at. There
isn't time to tell it; nor how many times her wooden plate was filled
and refilled. It seemed to Katharine, observant, as if the poor girl's
mouth opened and closed like a trap over every morsel presented to it,
and that there was no evidence of swallowing. But, then, Alfy had never
before attended a Hallowe'en Corkis, and probably never would again.

Still observant, Katharine saw Aunt Eunice's dear face grow more and
more thoughtful, yet with a thoughtfulness in no measure sad. Finally,
she left Nathan to Mrs. Clackett's care and hastily crossed the room to
Madam's side.

"Elinor, do you remember how hard the old Squire tried to tell us who
were watching his last hours of something that troubled him? And how we
failed to comprehend?"

"Surely, Eunice, I remember," answered the old wife, slightly aggrieved.
"Why should I not if you do?"

"Because one night when you had dropped asleep he roused, almost like
himself again, and saw me. Then he said: 'Eunice, I am very forgetful.
But I remember something now that I must tell Elinor.' I was so foolish,
I fancied some other time would do, and you were so tired. I couldn't
bear that you should be awakened, and nodded toward the sofa where you
lay. He seemed to understand, and murmured: 'Never mind. I'll tell you.
There is provision ample. He didn't take it. I accused him because I
missed it. I--I--secret chamber--Oh, my head!' Then he dropped away
again, and afterward came only those hopeless efforts which you saw as
well as I. Now, I believe I've had an inspiration. Verplanck's father,
sane, recalled the fact that he had wrongly accused his son while his
mind wandered. It was he who had emptied the brass bound box and
bestowed its contents in some place he felt was safer. In the secret
chamber, I believe. Let us go and search for them!"

"Eunice, how silly! As if I hadn't ransacked every inch of every room in
the old Mansion--all for nothing. Besides, what could one do at night?"

"What may we not do? What is one pair of eyes to many? What one tallow
dip to a hundred Jack-o'-lanterns, lighted with real 'store' candles?
May we try? Shall I giv