"Monica said parts of the Manor were very much out of repair," replied Cicely. "Besides, if this is a secret place, no one could ever come up to mend it."
"I wonder where my leg went to?" said Lindsay.
"Perhaps into some room below."
"In that case Mrs. Wilson will notice a hole in the ceiling, and will know somebody has been up here."
It was not an encouraging incident, but they were determined to venture farther all the same.
"We couldn't think of turning back now," said Lindsay.
At the far end of the room there was a door that seemed to lead into an attic even darker than the first.
"It's not much use going in there without a light," said Cicely.
"Just a few steps," said Lindsay.
She entered, and put up her hand to feel the height of the roof above. Instantly there was a tremendous rushing sound around them. The air seemed filled with flapping, shadowy forms, which brushed lightly against their cheeks. In an agony of fear poor Cicely shrieked and shrieked again, and clung to Lindsay desperately, as to the one substantial and human thing in the midst of what was horrible and unknown.