"There's somebody there, never fear," rejoined Betty.
"According to Nikka's uncle, a good part of the garrison were withdrawn to-day," returned Hugh.
"There is no use hurrying," cautioned my uncle. "We shall have plenty of opportunities."
"There is good reason for striking when you are not expected," retorted Hugh.
Nobody answered him. We were all staring hungrily at the shadowy shape of the House of the Married, towering above the seawall. It hypnotized us. We were enthralled by the unfathomable mysteries it suggested, by the knowledge of the mighty prize it contained.
"There's no time like the present," I said softly.
"Yes, they won't be looking for us so soon again," agreed Nikka. "They will be figuring that we had enough of a fright last night."
"Perhaps you are right," surrendered Vernon King. "Audacity, we are frequently told, is the favored bride of fortune. I must admit that this place exerts a lure which arouses in me certain primitive instincts I had supposed were finally cured or buried.'
"You mean, Dad," said Betty, "that you feel like being foolish with the others."
"Oh, come, Bet," protested Hugh, "this is no time for squabbling. What could be more unexpected than a raid from us to-night? They probably think, as Nikka says, that we will go slow after last night, and they don't even know we are out here."