"You forget he is a miser," said Noel. "He would not like to buy a better one."
"Hulloa!" exclaimed Duke. "Look here! He's been eating bread and cheese! Did you ever!"
As Duke touched the paper with his foot, a mouse darted from beneath it, and Noel uttered a scream.
"What a coward you are, Noel! You're as bad as a girl. They always scream when they see a mouse."
"Hulloa!" said Duke, as he examined the relics more closely. "This cannot be his bread and cheese. Do you see the date on this paper? Yesterday was the 12th of August."
"P'raps one of the workmen brought it up here," suggested Noel. "They have bread and cheese for dinner."
"But why in the world should he come here to eat it? I shouldn't think Mr. Alan would like him to make so free with his room."
"How could he get into this part of the house?" asked Noel. "The door is kept locked."
"I guess a workman would know how to get in if he wanted to," said Duke. "Besides, there's a door in the hall below. I think it opens on to the down, just below the tower. I've often noticed it from the outside. Let's go and see."
They ran downstairs and were crossing the hall when Noel clutched his brother by the sleeve.