“Ghostly,” Florence shivered.
“I believe that door’s ajar.”
“It is.”
“Let’s creep up close.”
The next moment found them flattened against the wall beside the door.
This door stood half open. Suddenly they caught a flash of light. Leaning far over to peer within, they saw the child bent over before a huge bookcase. The room, half illumined by her flashlight, was a large lounging room. The trimmings were rustic and massive. Beamed ceiling and heavy beams along the walls were flanked by a huge fireplace at the back. The furniture was in keeping, massive mission oak with leather cushions on chairs.
“What a wonderful place!” Florence whispered. “What wouldn’t one give to have it for a study?”
The child had taken three books from the shelves. All these she replaced. She was examining the fourth when Lucile whispered, “That’s the one she has come for.”
“Why?”
“The light fell full upon the inside of the cover. I saw the gargoyle there.”