Lalla’s face was the picture of astonishment as she noticed the occupant of her room. “You’d better not speak of it, Lalla,” cautioned her teacher after describing the manner of her incarceration. “The girls know enough already; they’ll be going home next thing. No one likes to feel that she’s at the mercy of some lawless person.”
However, Miss Howard made an exception of Gincy, who seemed a link between herself and the mountain people. Besides Gincy’s position as monitor demanded greater confidence. “Whoever it was, knew I was there,” she concluded.
“They were after the key, they didn’t care who was in there,” said Gincy grimly. “Hit ain’t likely they’ll come again very soon, though, after this.”
But the very next evening Number 16 was again invaded. This time Lalla’s little silver pin was missing, and her school books hidden in the woodbox.
“Shall we search Mallie’s and Nancy Jane’s room?” asked Miss Howard as Lalla stood before her after making her final complaint. “This matter is growing serious.”
Lalla hesitated. “You wouldn’t be likely to find anything. They’re both too smart for that. We might watch them a spell longer.”
“Besides,” continued Miss Howard, “Mallie and Nancy Jane are nearly always busy when things happen in your room.”
Lalla shook her head as though unconvinced. “I reckon hit’s jest one person. I ain’t sayin’ who.”
“Lalla,” interrogated Gincy shrewdly, “who do you reckon’s so plumb foolish as to sneak into your room whenever you go out for dinner?”
“Mebbe you can tell me,” answered Lalla with a flash of temper. “I’m goin’ home next week if hit keeps on.”