"So have we," echoed Sue.
They worked for a time in silence. At last the Imp, dusty and cobwebby, tossed out a final bundle, with the remark:
"That's the last, I guess, except some scraps of wrapping-paper and so on. I'll just look among these to see that there's nothing more."
They heard her grubbing about for a moment or two, and then came a stifled exclamation.
"What's the matter?" cried every one simultaneously.
"Somebody bring a candle!" commanded the Imp. "There's something queer here!"
Louis rushed away to get one, and was back in a jiffy.
"Here it is," he said, handing it in to the Imp. While she lit it the three crowded into the doorway to see whatever was to be revealed.
"It's this hole," explained the Imp, holding the candle to a space about six inches in diameter, near the base of the wall. "It was back of a pile of bundles, and I guess it must have been made by mice or rats, for the gnawed bits are lying all around. It must be rather recent, too, for it looks so. My hand slipped into it a moment ago, and the boarding came loose as I was trying to get it out. I think it must be because it was so old and rotten. Anyhow, it pulled away, and I just caught a glimpse of something behind it that seemed strange."
Louis crowded into the closet at this, and gave the board a wrench. It fell away, disclosing a sight that made the four stare with surprise.