"Well, I hope he changes his mind," said Nellie Bane anxiously. "I never did like burglars very much."
But as the days went by and nothing further happened, the mystery of the "Codfish" was pushed a little into the background.
In the first place, the chums were having the time of their lives in the "Ghost Club," and proud as could be of having been chosen for membership.
The only one who was not particularly happy was Rose Belser. Of course she had not wanted the girls in the club at first. But the rest of the club did want them, and she was afraid that if she was the only one who voted against them it would make her unpopular with the rest.
Then, too, she reasoned with herself, if she hoped to get even with Billie, the only thing was to have her around until she saw her chance.
And all the time the "Twin Dill Pickles" were getting so obnoxious that more than once the girls were upon the point of revolt. From day to day it was only Miss Race, the mathematics teacher, who stood between them and open rebellion.
For Miss Race was a staunch friend of the girls, and in her heart disliked Miss Ada and Miss Cora as much as they did. Whenever things got a little bit too bad, Miss Race would have a secret conversation with Miss Walters, who in her turn would have a little talk with the two Miss Dills. Then for the space of a day or two the girls would have comparative comfort.
However, in spite of all efforts on the part of Miss Race, conditions were steadily growing worse for the girls.
Things went on very much the same, without much change one way or another, while autumn merged into winter and the snow began to fly.
There was a good deal of snow the early part of that winter, and sledding parties became more and more frequent. There was a splendid hill for coasting near Three Towers, and here the girls gathered almost every afternoon after classes.