“Only a little after nine. We’ll have a long siege of it.”
The night was cold and damp. Although both girls had worn sweaters they soon grew uncomfortable and huddled close together for warmth. Rosanna tried not to show her nervousness but even the screech of an owl startled her. She was aware of every sound and any unusual movement caused her to grow tense.
“You’ll be a wreck long before midnight,” Penny declared. “We’re armed and there’s nothing to fear.”
Rosanna made a supreme effort to relax but it was not until several hours had elapsed that she began to grow accustomed to her surroundings. Penny, on the other hand, found it difficult to remain awake.
At first she riveted her attention upon the lake but as there was no evidence of a boat, soon lost interest. For a time she watched the twinkling lights at Raven Ridge but one by one they disappeared until the old mansion on the hill was cloaked in darkness.
“Now that the household has gone to bed our ghost should be starting in on his night’s work,” she remarked hopefully to Rosanna.
Another half hour dragged by. Still no one came. Even Rosanna found it increasingly difficult to fight off drowsiness.
“I don’t believe the ghost is coming tonight,” she declared.
“It begins to look that way. But perhaps it’s still too early. Surely it can’t be any more than midnight.”
“It seems later than that,” Rosanna sighed. “My back is nearly broken.”