Not even taking time to remove their shoes, they made a dive for the big four-poster bed. Scarcely had they pulled the coverlet up to their ears than they heard Mrs. Lear just outside the door.
“Are you all right?” she called anxiously. “I thought I heard a scream.”
The girls did not answer. They closed their eyes and pretended to be asleep. Mrs. Lear opened the door and peeped inside. Not entirely satisfied she crossed the room and stood for a moment at the open window. Closing it half way, she then tiptoed out the door.
“Was that a close call!” Penny whispered, sitting up in bed. “Lucky for us she didn’t notice anything wrong.”
Waiting a few minutes longer, the girls slid from beneath the covers and quickly undressed.
“At least we learned one important thing tonight,” Penny observed, quietly lowering a shoe to the floor. “Mrs. Lear is behind this Headless Horseman escapade. But who is the fellow?”
“Silas Malcom perhaps. Only he’s a bit too old for pranks.”
Penny did not reply. Moving to the window, she gazed thoughtfully toward the barn.
“Someone may bring Trinidad back,” she commented. “By watching—”
“Not for me,” Louise cut in. She rolled back into bed. “I’m going to get myself a little shut-eye before dawn.”