“Why, the back room was his laboratory. All the things are there,” said the younger girl.
“Let me go in there, then,” said Harris, eagerly. “I want to test these samples of water father and I brought down from the rocks to-day.”
“My mercy me!” gasped ’Phemie. “You don’t suppose there’s gold–or silver–held in solution in that water—”
Lyddy laughed. “How ridiculous!” she said.
“Perhaps not exactly ridiculous,” returned Harris, shaking his head, and smiling.
“Why, Harris Colesworth! who ever heard of such a thing?” cried Lyddy. “I’m no chemist, but I know that would be impossible.”
“Will you let me have the key of the green door?” he demanded.
“Yes!” cried ’Phemie, who had continued to carry it tied around her neck. “But we’ll go with you and see you perform your nefarious rites, Mr. Magician!”
Lyddy went for a lamp and brought it, lighted. “A candle won’t do you much good in there,” she said to Harris.
“Verily, it is so!” admitted the young man, with an humble bow.