"Do you ever hear any other noises?" asked Gerda.
"No, only what might reasonably be rats or mice."
"Has anyone any notion what's inside?"
"Not the very slightest. I don't believe even Miss Birks knows."
"Well, look here," said Dulcie. "I shall never dare to go down this passage alone again. One of you will simply have to come with me."
"I don't think we'll very much care to go alone ourselves," returned Deirdre.
"You called me a scared mouse!" Dulcie's tone was injured, as if the epithet still rankled.
"Well, we're three scared mice, and it's a case of 'see how they run!'" laughed Deirdre, getting back her self-possession. "We'll go up and down in threesomes for the future."
"You promise? You'll never make me pass here by myself again?"
"Faithfully, on my honour! We'll act police, and protect you against a dozen possible spooks. Do stop squeezing my arm, you've made it quite sore!"