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.