“Something has got hold of my jerkin.”
Fred burst out laughing.
“Why, it’s only that knob. Meant to open the stair from inside, I suppose.”
Crick-crack! The board was drawn back into its place, and the boys went slowly down into the hall.
“Why, Scar, you look quite white.”
“Do I? So do you,” was the reply. “Look, we’re covered with dust. Come along, and let’s go to my room and have a wash.”
“And then we can sit down and talk about it.”
Scarlett nodded; and once more ascending the stairs, they passed over the secret entry, unlocked the door in the corridor, and entered Scarlett’s bedchamber, where it took some time to get rid of the marks of their journey. After which they sat down in the sunshine by the open window, to discuss their find, and settle two or three points in connection therewith.