THE SECRET DOOR
Lindsay and Cicely might well cry out with surprise. A most peculiar thing had happened. A part of the back of the cupboard had opened like a door, revealing a narrow passage behind. Here at last was the hiding-place for which they had sought so long in vain.
They had never suspected the cupboard. It looked so ordinary, with its rows of shelves, that no one would have dreamt it concealed a secret exit. By a clever arrangement the lantern evidently worked a spring, and when pulled down caused the door to unclose automatically. Somebody in days gone by had no doubt constructed it thus to form a refuge in time of danger. The girls were in raptures of delight.
"This, of course, was where Mrs. Wilson vanished," said Lindsay.
"And what Merle saw," added Cicely.
It was an intense satisfaction to have found it out for themselves, especially when they had come upstairs with such small expectation of success. Where did the passage lead? That was naturally the first question they asked each other.
"It looks very dark," said Cicely, peering rather nervously into the opening.
"I wish we had a candle," said Lindsay. "There isn't even an end left inside the lantern, and we've no matches either."
"Shall I go downstairs and fetch some?" suggested Cicely.