“I don’t know whether he really has found what he has been looking for—”
“And that is?” suggested Harris.
“I wish we knew!” cried ’Phemie. “But we don’t. At least, I don’t–nor does Lyddy. But he tried to buy the farm of Aunt Jane once–only he offered a very small price.
“He has been hanging around here for months trying to find something. He got into the old offices to-night, and tried to break into grandfather’s desk—”
Harris nodded thoughtfully.
“We want to look into this,” he said. “I hope you and your sister will not refuse my aid. This Spink may be more of a knave than a fool. Now, go back to bed and–and assure Miss Lyddy that I will be only too glad to help ‘thwart the villain’–if he really has some plan to better himself at your expense.”
’Phemie picked up her quilt, locked the green door, and returned to her room. Throughout all the excitement Lyddy had slept; but ’Phemie’s coming to bed aroused her.
The younger girl was too shaken by what had transpired to hide her excitement, and Lyddy quickly was broad awake listening to ’Phemie’s story. The latter told all that had happened, including her experiences on the night they had come to Hillcrest. There was no sleep for the two girls just then–not, at least, until they had discussed Professor Spink and the secret of the rocks at the back of the farm, from every possible angle.
“I shall tell him that his absence will be better appreciated than his company–at once!” declared Lyddy, finally.
“But sending him away isn’t going to explain the mystery,” wailed ’Phemie.