“You are perfectly right in that,” said Miss Beckwith. “Come along, girls, we will all see Nora home this time.”
They wanted to carry her back, but costumed and all that she was, Nora felt little like partaking in their frolic. She feared something. That moaning was human, of this she was certain; and it was equally certain that Vita was in too good health when she appeared at the door, to have been in any way implicated, physically.
“If your folks have not returned will you come back and stay all night?” suggested Betta. “We could leave a message for them and you know you have not stayed a single night at camp yet.”
“I am sure they are at home, I see the light in the living room,” responded Nora. “But thank you, just the same, Betta. I shall love to stay a night soon, I have been counting on having that treat before this vacation is over.”
They had rounded the curve and the Nest was now in full view. Presently they were at the door and Nora touched the knocker.
There was no immediate response and she wondered. “I can see inside, the curtain is up, and I don’t see a soul,” she declared.
“Nor hear a sound,” added Pell who was listening at the keyhole.
Here was another cause for wonderment. Nora rapped the knocker until the sound seemed doubly loud, reverberating in the dusk.
But there was no answer. “What can it mean?” asked Nora anxiously. “I am sure some one lighted the lights, can they have gone out looking for me?”
“Can’t you get in?” asked Miss Beckwith.