“Perhaps they’re asleep—worn out,” said Uncle John. No one now seemed to doubt that the missing ones were imprisoned in the wall.
“Let Beth try,” suggested Patsy.
Beth had a clear, bell-like voice and from where she stood she called out the names of Inez and Mildred. Then, in the stillness that followed, came a muffled cry in return—a cry that set all their nerves quivering with excitement.
The mystery was solved at last.
Beth repeated the call and now the answer was clearer, though still indistinguishable. It was a voice, indeed, but whose voice they could not tell. But now, to their astonishment, came another sound, quite clear and distinct—the wail of a baby voice.
“That settles it!” cried the major, triumphantly. “Was I right, or wrong? Was it a nightmare, or was I crazy?”
“Neither one, my dear sir,” replied the doctor. “You declared you heard a ghost.”
Arthur was capering about in frantic joy.
“She’s alive—my baby is alive!” he exclaimed.
“And probably she was sound asleep until your infernal yelling awakened her,” added the major.