“Oh, yes. They really have done nothing except trespass, and I don’t like the idea of appearing in court against them, as we should need to. Let the poor fellows go.”
“Thanks, lady,” mumbled Meggs. “I’m sorry there wasn’t any money.”
“Perhaps it’s just as well,” said Ruth.
“Oh, and we wanting a new automobile the worst way!” gasped Agnes. “I like your nerve!”
But it seemed the best way out, and the men were allowed to depart. This they did hurriedly, thankful in one respect and doubtless much disappointed in another. Their dream of wealth was over.
But when Luke and Neale had gone home for a few hours’ sleep and had come back again, the young people took another look down in the cellar by such daylight as entered through the opened rear door and the long-unsuspected entrance beneath the front porch.
However, even that search resulted in nothing, and the Corner House girls and their friends came to the somewhat reluctant conclusion that the whole story was more or less of a hoax.
As for Sammy, Tess, and Dot, they were bitterly disappointed at the outcome of it all when they were told of the night’s adventure.
“I wish I’d ’a’ been there to help capture the robbers!” cried Sammy.
“They weren’t robbers,” said Agnes. “They didn’t steal anything.”