“It’s a shame this house has to be sold,” Cara declared to her chum. “Miss Swenster doesn’t say much about it but you can tell it makes her fairly sick to think of it.”
“I know,” Madge agreed in an undertone. “I wish we could really do something for her, but I’m afraid we can’t.”
It was impossible for the girls to work side by side with Miss Swenster and not learn more of her fine character and interesting history. Soon they caught themselves telling her about Skull and Crossbones and Cara’s weird experience in connection with the midnight initiation. Miss Swenster expressed an interest in the secret society and did not appear in the least annoyed because they had trespassed. Nor did she seem disturbed to learn of the stranger who prowled about the garden.
“I have no idea who it could have been,” she declared. “Perhaps it was only a tramp.”
“He was much too well dressed for that,” Madge returned. “We thought possibly he might be digging for some treasure that had been hidden on the estate.”
Miss Swenster studied the girls quizzically. Her eyes twinkled.
“Dear me, I only wish there were a lost treasure! I am afraid you girls have been listening to wild stories. The Swensters were never as wealthy as townfolks thought.”
“Then it wasn’t true about the pearl necklace?” Cara asked in disappointment.
“I’m not sure. I never saw the pearls myself, but according to the family legend, they did exist. I suppose you know the story?”
The girls shook their heads, waiting eagerly. At last they were to hear the true account of what became of the famous pearls!