He led the way to the little room adjoining, the one Inez had occupied. In one corner of the floor was a square hole, with steps leading down to a sort of blind pocket. Holding a lamp in one hand Miguel descended the steps and pushed against a block of adobe that formed part of the outer wall. It swung inward, disclosing a cavity about four feet in width and fully six feet high. The interior could be plainly seen from the room, by stooping close to the floor. There were shelves in the cavity and upon one of them stood a jar of milk.
“Oh,” cried Patsy, clasping her hands together. “I told you the wall was hollow!”
Arthur followed Miguel down the steps. He took the lamp and examined the little room. All the walls that formed it seemed solid.
Miguel was holding the block that served as a door. He released his hold, when Arthur had again ascended, and the block swung back into place.
As they returned to the nursery, Weldon asked:
“Do you know of any other rooms in the wall, Miguel?”
The man shook his head, uncertainly.
“I know there be other rooms in thees wall,” said he, “for Señor Cristoval have told me so. Hees father make the places to keep things safe from robbers—perhaps to hide from others, too. But where such places are ees the secret of the Cristovals. The room I show you ees all I know about. I thought that was secret, too; but no; the New York nurse tell Inez of that room, an’ Inez she keep Mees Jane’s milk there, to be cool.”
“Mildred told of the room!” exclaimed Arthur in astonishment.
“Yes,” said Beth, “she used to visit this house as a girl, when Cristoval lived here, and she must have known some of the secret rooms.”