“She’s searching for something,” Penny whispered. “Probably she works after dark so she won’t be observed.”
It was evident to both girls that the moving light which had attracted their attention the previous night had, undoubtedly, been Mrs. Marborough’s lantern.
Although they now could understand the old lady’s irritation at their intrusion, her actions mystified them. As they continued to watch, she pried up one stone after another, frequently resting from her labors.
“We might offer to help her,” Louise proposed half-seriously.
“If we show ourselves now she’ll order us never to return,” Penny replied. “We want to find out what this is all about.”
During the next ten minutes the girls huddled behind the friendly bush. At the end of that period, Mrs. Marborough gathered together her tools, and went wearily into the house.
“Obviously she didn’t find what she was after,” Penny said, coming from behind the shelter. “What do you suppose it can be?”
“Buried treasure, perhaps.”
“Or possibly the family silverware hidden during the Civil War,” Penny chuckled. “I’m afraid not. Mrs. Marborough lived at Rose Acres all her early years. If there had been anything valuable buried, wouldn’t she have done her searching long ago?”
“If that’s a question, I can’t answer it,” sighed Louise. “What’s our next move? Home?”