hed under the window from whence the light had come. Clinging
to the window ledge, she cautiously raised herself until her head was on
a level with the glass. What she saw caused her to hold her breath with
astonishment. Was she awake or did she dream? At one side of the room
stood a small table, and on the table, in full view of her incredulous
eyes, stood the strong box which had held the bazaar money that had been
spirited away on Thanksgiving night. Bending over it, the light from his
dark lantern shining full on the lock, was the man whom she had accused
on the train.

[Illustration: Grace Held Her Breath in Astonishment]

Thrilled for the moment by her discovery, Grace forgot everything except
what was going on inside the room. The man was making vain efforts to
hit upon the combination. How long he had been there Grace had no idea.
She could not take her eyes from the box which contained their
hard-earned money.

Minutes went by, but still she watched in a fever of apprehension for
fear he might accidentally discover the combination. Unsuccessful in his
attempts, he finally straightened up with an exclamation of anger and
disgust. Going over to a small cupboard built in the wall, he opened it,
and, stooping, pressed his finger against some hidden spring. Then the
wall opened and the light from the lantern disclosed an inside recess.
Lifting the box, he carried it over and deposited it in the opening, and
at his touch the panel slid back into place. Quickly locking the
cupboard, he placed the key in his pocket, and, extinguishing the
lantern, strode towards the door.

Once outside, he passed so close to Grace that by stretching out her
hand she might easily have touched him, as she lay flat on the
rain-soaked ground, scarcely daring to breathe.

The stranger paused to lock the door, and Grace heard him mutter: "Nice
night to send a pal out in, and on a still hunt, too. Nothing short of
soup'll open up that claim. If the rest of the jobs he's goin' to pull
off are like this hand out, me to shake this rube joint."

The echo of his footsteps died away and Grace ventured to raise herself
from her uncomfortable position. She peered into the blackness of the
night, but could see nothing. Rising to her feet, she stealthily circled
the house and set off at her best speed for "Heartsease."

"There'll be plenty of work for Eleanor and me to do this night," she
thought. "If only she will help me now, and she must. She