Still there was little to be feared so long as Mrs.Bernard remained securely locked in her room.

I was freer for exploration now than I would be later, and must know at once the conditions with which we had to contend.

Beyond doubt the woman was still asleep, and, perhaps, by the time she aroused and appeared below stairs I could find a reasonable explanation of all this mystery--something to smile over, rather than fear.

While this was but a vague hope, it still yielded me a measure of courage as I picked my way cautiously along the south side of the house, avoiding the windows as much as possible, until I emerged into a somewhat clearer space of ground at the rear.

The kitchen was an ell, constructed of rough boards, but with shingle roof.