ily get the box and carry it to
the machine. It will take two of us, because it's very heavy. I know I
can find the secret of the panel, but we shall have to break open the
door of the cupboard. I am not afraid, and, somehow, Eleanor, I felt
that you would have plenty of the right brand of courage."

"I am not afraid," responded Eleanor, flushing at Grace's words, "but I
know I should never have displayed the courage that you have. I should
never have dared dashing up to a haunted house to investigate uncanny
lights."

"My dear child," exclaimed Miss Nevin, "do you suppose that I would
allow you two slips of girls to prowl around that old house alone, on a
night like this?"

"Miss Nevin," Grace's voice rose in its earnestness, "we must get that
money to-night, even if I have to go back there alone. It belongs to us,
and we simply can't let it slip through our fingers."

"And so you shall get it," was the answer, "but with John, the coachman,
for a bodyguard."

"May we go this minute?" chorused both girls.

"Yes," nodded Miss Nevin. "I'll send word to John to get out the
run-about and take you at once."

Ten minutes later John, the coachman, and the two girls had squeezed
into the run-about and were making as good time to the haunted house as
the darkness would permit. The heavy outside door was found to be
securely padlocked, and the windows were locked. With two blows of the
small axe that he had brought with him, John shattered the glass of the
very window through which Grace had peered, and, climbing in, helped the
two girls in after him.

By the light of the two lanterns they had brought, the cupboard was
easily located and opened and a diligent search was made for the hidden
spring.

"Shall I smash in the paneling, miss?" asked the coachman.

"Perhaps you'd better," assented Grace. "I don't seem to be able to find
the key to the riddle." She endeavored to step out of John's way, and as
she did so, struck her foot smartly against the back wall of the
cupboard near to the floor. There was a curious grating sound and the
panel slid back, revealing the welcome sight of the strong box reposing
in the recess.

Unwittingly Grace had touched the secret spring. Both girls cried out in
triumph. Then, hurrying to the window, they climbed out, ready to
receive the box. John set it on the window-sill, and, though very heavy,
Grace and Eleanor combined forces and lowered it to the ground. Leaping
over the sill, th