"It won't hurt none to look, Mr. O'Neill," urged Hannah, who knew that Kenny's energy was subject to undependable ebb and now. "If Hughie goes out of here with that fireplace on his mind, he'll dream all night about it."
Kenny strode to the fireplace with Hughie at his heels and jerked impatiently at the mantel. It was sturdy and unyielding.
"I feared so," he said with a shrug.
Hughie seized the lamp.
"Hold the lamp, Mr. O'Neill," he begged, crouching. "I've got to look at them bricks. Careful, sir! You're tipping it."
Huddled in the glare of the lamp they stared in fascination at the smoky bricks.
"The bricks are loose!" exclaimed Hughie. "Look here!" He rattled one with his finger.
Kenny emitted a long low whistle of intense amazement.
"Hughie, where's your knife?" he flung out wildly. "I think we're on the trail!"
"The lamp's shaking!" warned Hannah. "Let me hold it."