When she had given Lion his biscuits, she kissed him and told him to be very good while she was away, and that she would be back directly.
Suddenly she recollected that she had disturbed the things in her grandfather’s room, and had not put them tidy.
He might notice them and suspect something.
She went into the mysterious chamber, and Lion followed her. When she had put the room as she had found it, she recollected that she had disturbed the things under the trapdoor. It took her a long time to find where to lift the trap. But presently it yielded, and the store beneath lay exposed to view.
She put the little bags and parcels as tidy as she could, holding a candle which she had lighted so that the light fell on the buried treasure.
Stooping over, her head below the flooring, and her little hands busily engaged in putting the bags as she found they were before, she did not hear the outer door open.
Josh Heckett had come home early to meet some friends.
As he entered the room he saw the candle-light streaming through the door of his bedroom.
With a cry of rage he sprang forward and rushed in.
Gertie uttered a scream of terror at the sudden appearance of her grandfather, and knelt glued to the spot.