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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Spanish Chest, by Edna A. Brown
+
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+*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!*****
+
+
+Title: The Spanish Chest
+
+Author: Edna A. Brown
+
+Release Date: November, 2004 [EBook #6998]
+[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule]
+[This file was first posted on February 20, 2003]
+
+Edition: 10
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: Latin-1
+
+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SPANISH CHEST ***
+
+
+
+
+This eBook was produced by Vital Debroey, Charles Franks
+and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: "WHAT IS IS THIS TINY DOTTED LINE ACROSS THE
+GROUNDS?" WIN INQUIRED]
+
+
+
+
+
+THE SPANISH CHEST
+
+BY
+
+EDNA A. BROWN
+
+ILLUSTRATED BY JOHN GOSS AND FROM PHOTOGRAPHS
+
+
+DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF FLORENCE AND CLARA
+
+who shared a winter spent in the Channel Islands and
+have now gone on a longer journey.
+
+ This little book I wrote for thee
+ Thy friendly eyes will never see.
+ It was not meant for critics' reading,
+ Nor for the world that scans unheeding.
+ For there are lines washed in with tears,
+ As well as nonsense, mocking fears.
+ Alas! thine eyes will never see
+ This little book I wrote for thee.
+
+
+
+
+THE SPANISH CHEST
+
+
+
+
+FOREWORD
+
+
+Once upon a time a clever Japanese artist drew a sketch of a man
+who sat industriously painting, when, to his great amazement, all
+the little figures on his canvas came to life and began to walk
+out of the picture.
+
+Something like that happened to this book. Books grow, you know,
+because somebody thinks so hard about the different characters
+that gradually they turn into lifelike people, who often insist on
+doing things that weren't expected. When this especial book began
+to grow, two persons who hadn't been invited, came and wanted to
+be in the story.
+
+The author politely remarked that they were grown-up and couldn't
+expect to be in a book for young people.
+
+They said that they were not so very grown-up, only twenty-three
+and a half and that they still knew how to play.
+
+Connie said that her home was in the Island of Jersey where the
+story was going to be, and if she came in, she could make things
+much more pleasant for the other characters.
+
+Max said that the story would go to smash without him, because he
+should be needed at an important moment.
+
+So, because they looked most wistful and promised very earnestly
+to behave as though they were nice children, and not be silly, the
+author said they might have a share in the story.
+
+Connie at once offered to lend her collie. So that is how the
+beach dog happens to be in the book.
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+CHAPTER
+
+    I.  AT ROSE VILLA
+   II.  FRAN ENGAGES LODGINGS
+  III.  ST. HELIER'S
+   IV.  THE BEACH DOG
+    V.  MONT ORGUEIL
+   VI.  A RACE WITH THE TIDE
+  VII.  MR. MAX
+ VIII.  RICHARD LISLE'S LETTER
+   IX.  CHRISTMAS IN JERSEY
+    X.  THE BUN WORRY
+   XI.  THE MANOR CAVE
+  XII.  WIN VISITS THE LIBRARY
+ XIII.  ABOUT THE SPANISH CHEST
+  XIV.  IN THE VAULTS
+   XV.  THE HAUNTED ROOM
+  XVI.  THE MANOR GHOST
+ XVII.  THE DOTTED LINE
+XVIII.  ROGER THE MAROONED
+  XIX.  AT CORBIERE
+   XX.  WIN WONDERS
+  XXI.  THE TWO CHAINS
+ XXII.  THE CHEST ITSELF
+
+
+
+
+ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+"What is this tiny dotted line across the grounds?" Win inquired
+
+The Village of St. Aubin's
+
+"For a long time people supposed they were called Martello towers
+from the man who built them"
+
+Above and behind towered the ruined castle of Orgueil
+
+"Look there is a Jersey cow among the cabbages"
+
+"He'll come for us! He means us to climb this rock and wait"
+
+A most interesting little Church almost on the water's edge
+
+The old Norman gateway leading to Vinchelez Manor
+
+They came upon the loveliest of little beaches
+
+Plemont is the spot where the cable comes in from England
+
+Win's plan of the Manor cellars
+
+What was undoubtedly the Spanish Chest
+
+
+
+
+THE SPANISH CHEST
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+AT ROSE VILLA
+
+
+The silence in the little drawing-room had lasted for some moments
+before being broken by the man seated in the big wicker chair. His
+dress indicated a clergyman of the Church of England, his face
+betrayed lines of kindliness and forbearance, but its present
+expression showed a perplexity not unmixed with disapproval.
+
+"I suppose, Miss Pearce," he said at length, "there is no use in
+trying further to dissuade you from your plan, and of course it
+may work out for the best. But--you will excuse me, my dear, for I
+have daughters of my own--you seem too young to undertake a
+lodging-house. Now a position as governess in a nice family--"
+
+Estelle Pearce interrupted him quickly.
+
+"There is Edith, you know. Should I try teaching, it would mean
+separation from her. And I _must_ keep Edith with me. We have only
+each other now. No, Mr. Angus, I thank you from the bottom of my
+heart for your interest in us, but I am sure it is best to try my
+plan. You see I have the house on my hands. When we came to
+Jersey, Father leased it for the winter and I can't afford to
+forfeit thirty pounds. And there is Nurse as well as Annette.
+Surely Nurse lends dignity to any family. But I am older than you
+think," she ended with a smile and a pretty blush. "I am twenty-
+four, Mr. Angus."
+
+A kindly look came into the eyes bent on her slender, black-robed
+figure. "You do not look it, my dear," her visitor said after a
+pause. "Well, with two good servants, the plan may be successful.
+Much depends on what class of lodgers comes your way. I am told
+that Americans are rather desirable inmates, that they pay well
+and are not exacting. If you could let your rooms to some refined
+American ladies, things might adjust themselves very satisfactorily.
+To be sure, few Americans visit the Channel Islands; they are
+given to wandering farther afield. But I will speak of your plans to
+the postmaster and one or two others. It might be advisable to
+put a card in the circulating library at St. Helier's. Rest assured
+that both Mrs. Angus and I will do all we can for your father's girls.
+Lionel and I were good friends at Oxford though we saw so little of
+each other afterwards. I did not think when he wrote me scarcely
+six weeks ago that it was to be Hail and Farewell.
+
+"I must go," he added quickly, seeing that Estelle's eyes were
+brimming. "Where is Edith? I hoped to see her also."
+
+"She has gone to the sands," replied Estelle. "It is dull for her,
+moping here, so I sent her for an errand and told her to run down
+and see whether the tide had turned. She begins school on Monday."
+
+Mr. Angus took his leave, and still looking doubtful, went down
+the steps of Rose Villa, a quaint little house, covered with
+tinted plaster, as is the pretty custom of the Channel Islands,
+and appearing even to a masculine ignorance of details much more
+neat and attractive than its neighbors.
+
+So Mr. Angus thought, as he turned from his puzzled survey of its
+exterior, to walk slowly down the short street at the end of which
+glittered the waters of the English Channel.
+
+The tide was on the turn but the expanse of sandy beach lay yet
+broad. Far toward St. Helier's the curve of the port showed the
+high sea-wall, for this same innocent-looking tide that ebbs and
+leaves behind miles of sandy stretches and rocks, can return with
+force sufficient to dash over even the lofty breakwater and
+surprise the placid Jerseymen at times, by scattering large stones
+in the esplanade.
+
+But here at St. Aubin's the curve of Noirmont Point sheltered the
+little town from the full force of the waves. Dr. Angus looked
+from the end of Noirmont Terrace straight down to the sands and
+saw in the distance the sunset air filled with wheeling gulls, a
+group of boys playing football on the wide level, and somewhat
+nearer, a slender girl of fourteen, dressed in black, with long
+fair hair floating over her shoulders.
+
+She was walking slowly and the kind clergyman attributed her
+leisurely pace to dejection, but as a matter of fact, Edith was
+feeling quite happy and much interested in the tiny bright yellow
+snail shells the beach was providing for entertainment. She had
+been spared all that was possible of the depression and sorrow of
+the past weeks. Daddy had been poorly for years and Edith could
+not remember him as ever well and strong. His loss affected her
+more because it grieved Estelle, the only mother she had known.
+
+There had been a few sad confused days when nothing seemed real,
+and strangers had been kind in a way that Estelle accepted with a
+sort of resentful patience, plain even to Edith. But since then,
+life had been rather cheerful, with a great deal of attention from
+Nurse, and Estelle's time almost wholly given to her. It was
+gratifying to share Sister's confidence and to help arrange the
+rooms attractively for the possible delightful people who ought to
+come to lodge with them.
+
+That they might not be delightful, Sister would not admit for a
+moment, so of course they would be. St. Aubin's itself was far
+more desirable as a place of residence than the noisy Exeter
+street where Edith had spent much of her life. Far back in the
+past she could just remember a charming Surrey village with a
+pretty vine-covered church where Daddy used to preach. She could
+recall exactly how her fat legs dangled helplessly from the high
+pew seat. Directly behind sat a stout farmer with four sons. The
+boys made faces at Edith on the sly; their mother sometimes gave
+her peppermints.
+
+Edith's thoughts had wandered rather far afield, though still
+alert for any gleam of the yellow shells, when she arrived
+opposite Noirmont Terrace and reluctantly left the sands. A light
+shone from the drawing-room and she knew that Annette would be
+bringing in supper, and Sister would be found poring over a little
+account book with a "don't speak just now" look in her eyes.
+
+But Estelle proved to be waiting at the open door and as Edith
+began to run on catching sight of her, she thought that Sister
+somehow looked happier.
+
+"Did you meet Mr. Angus?" Estelle inquired. "He went toward the
+sands."
+
+"I saw him in the distance," replied Edith. "Why, Star, you look
+like--like a star," she ended laughing. "Was Mr. Angus agreeable?
+Did he say you oughtn't to take people?"
+
+"I think he doesn't wholly disapprove now," answered Estelle
+gently. "And he is going to do what he can toward sending pleasant
+lodgers. Wouldn't it be nice if some dear old ladies should come
+and want to stay with us all winter?"
+
+"Just ladies?" queried Edith. "Do they have to be old?"
+
+"I shouldn't take gentlemen," said Estelle. "Nurse wouldn't
+approve, and ladies would be pleasanter. Perhaps there might be a
+young mother and some ducky little children. How would you like
+that?"
+
+"Much better," responded Edith. "I don't want any fussy old freaks
+with false fronts and shawls. They'd expect to be read aloud to
+and waited on within an inch of their lives. I'd like some babies
+to take down to dig and paddle. Do say you'll have children,
+Sister."
+
+"Well, as a matter of fact, I think we'll have to take the people
+who want to come," replied Estelle sensibly. "Let's just hope that
+somebody very nice will think we'd be nice to stay with. Come in
+now, Edith. Annette has shrimps for supper and after we are
+finished, we will put a card in the window and see what happens
+next."
+
+But the little white card that most modestly announced "Lodgings"
+remained in the drawing-room casement for a week, and every day as
+Edith came from school, she looked anxiously to see whether it was
+gone. Its absence would mean that some one had looked at the rooms
+with approval.
+
+One afternoon as she came up the Terrace, the sight of an unknown
+face at an upper window sent a thrill down her back. The card was
+yet in evidence but the presence of strangers indicated that some
+one had felt attracted by Rose Villa. Yes, there was a cab at the
+door.
+
+As Edith entered quietly a voice struck her ear, struck it
+unpleasantly, an English voice, high-pitched and rather
+supercilious.
+
+"I should require to see your kitchen, Miss Pearce, and your
+servants. I am most particular. In fact, I must be free at any
+time to inspect the scullery. There must be a definite arrangement
+about Marmaduke's meals. He likes a light breakfast with plenty of
+cream, and for dinner a chop or a bit of chicken. His dinner must
+be served with my luncheon. Then for tea--"
+
+"I am afraid my servants would be unwilling to cook especially for
+a dog," interposed Estelle's voice, courteous but with a chilling
+tone Edith had never suspected it possessed. "It is useless for
+you to consider the lodgings."
+
+"Oh, your rooms are very passable," said the voice. "Small, of
+course, and underfurnished, but some pictures and antimacassars
+would take off that bare look. And Marmaduke is adorable. Your
+cook would soon be devotion itself. Why, at my last lodgings--"
+
+"I really cannot undertake the care of a pet animal," said Estelle
+firmly. "I hope to have other lodgers and his presence might be
+objectionable to them. You will excuse me now, as I have an
+engagement. I will ring for Nurse to show you out."
+
+"Well, really, Miss Pearce," began the voice, but Nurse appeared
+on the scene so promptly that one might have suspected her of
+being all the time within hearing distance. Edith scuttled into
+the drawing-room, just avoiding a very large, over-dressed person,
+who came ponderously down the stairs, a moppy white dog festooned
+over one arm. Her face was red and perspiring and she seemed to be
+indignantly struggling with feelings too strong for words. Edith
+could not suppress a stifled laugh as she was ushered from the
+house in Nurse's grandest manner.
+
+Emerging from her refuge, Edith saw Estelle on the landing, her
+face pale except for a tiny red spot on either cheek, her eyes
+unnaturally bright.
+
+"My word, Star!" said Edith, giggling, "didn't you get rid of her
+finely? What a fearful person!"
+
+"She was impossible," said Estelle. "Oh, Nurse," she exclaimed
+impetuously, seeing the old family servant still lingering in the
+hall, "do you suppose only people like that will want lodgings?"
+
+"No, indeed, my lamb," replied Nurse, casting a glance of
+satisfaction after the cab disappearing from the terrace. "Don't
+you fret, Miss Star, and don't you take the first people who come.
+Just bide your time, and there'll be some quality who will be what
+you ought to have."
+
+"Mr. Angus thought Americans might be rather desirable," said
+Estelle hesitatingly. To prepare Nurse for such a possibility
+might be wise.
+
+Nurse pursed her lips significantly. "Well, it's not for me to
+disagree with the reverend gentleman," she remarked. "And I
+haven't been in contact with Americans. No doubt they're well
+enough in their country, but I hope, Miss Star, it'll be some of
+our people that want to come. Now an elderly couple or some
+middle-aged ladies would be quite suitable and proper, but
+Americans--Well, I don't know."
+
+Nurse shook her head dubiously as she left the room. Edith came to
+put her arms about Estelle.
+
+"What a fearful woman that was!" she repeated, drawing her sister
+toward the window. "Poor Star, I'm sorry you had to talk to her.
+Rooms underfurnished, indeed! And you tried so hard not to have
+them crowded and messed with frightful crocheted wool things.
+She'd want a tidy on every chair and extra ones for Sunday. And
+you've made things so pretty, Star!"
+
+"We think so, don't we!" replied Estelle, kissing her little
+comforter. "Somebody may yet come who will agree with us. We won't
+give up hope."
+
+Estelle was silent for a moment. She did not want Edith to suspect
+how very necessary it was that those rooms should prove attractive
+to somebody.
+
+"Is that the Southampton boat just rounding the point?" she added.
+"She's extremely late."
+
+"They must have had a rough passage," agreed Edith, looking at the
+steamer ploughing into the smooth water of St. Aubin's bay. "Let's
+put a wish on her, Star. Let's wish, _hard_, that she has on board
+the nicest people that ever were and that they're coming straight
+out here and say they'd like to spend the winter with us!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+FRAN ENGAGES LODGINGS
+
+
+"I positively refuse," said Mrs. Thayne, "to go out again to-day.
+And I wish you wouldn't go either, Wingate," she added to her older
+son. "That steamer trip was frightful. What a night we did have!
+As for you two," she went on to Frances and Roger, "I suppose you
+won't be happy until you are off for an exploring expedition, but
+I don't see how you can feel like it."
+
+"Why, Mother, I wasn't seasick," said Roger, a handsome,
+mischievous-looking boy about twelve. "I slept like a log till I
+heard Win being--hmm--unhappy. That woke me but I turned over and
+didn't know anything more till daylight."
+
+"I shouldn't have been sick if you hadn't begun it, Mother,"
+observed Frances, turning from the window overlooking the
+esplanade. "I feel all right now. Mayn't Roger and I go down on
+the beach or take a car ride?" she asked, eagerly.
+
+"I don't imagine there are any electric cars on the island," said
+Mrs. Thayne.
+
+"But out here is a funny little steam tram marked St. Aubin's,"
+interposed Frances. "It's going somewhere. Look at the dinky cars
+with a kind of balcony and that speck of an engine."
+
+"That's a pony engine for sure," drawled Win, joining his sister
+at the window. Except that he was thin and fragile no one could
+have known from Win's clever, merry dark face, how greatly he was
+handicapped by a serious heart trouble. But the contrast between
+his tall, loosely-knit figure and Fran's compact little person
+brought a wistful expression into Mrs. Thayne's observant eyes.
+Win was seventeen and had never been able to play as other boys
+did. Probably all his life would be different, yet he was so
+plucky and brave over his limitations.
+
+"There's the _Lydia_ down in the harbor," exclaimed Frances. "My,
+didn't she wiggle around last night!"
+
+  "Lydia, Lydia, why dost thou tremble?
+     Answer me true.
+  Traveler, traveler, I'll not dissemble,
+     'Tis but the screw.
+
+  Lydia, Lydia, why this commotion?
+     Answer me quick.
+  Traveler, traveler, 'tis but a notion.
+     You must be sick!"
+
+drawled Win, following the direction of his sister's glance.
+
+"Win, how bright of you!" she exclaimed. "I wish I could think of
+things like that. But, Mother, mayn't we go out and take that
+little train wherever it's going?"
+
+"Yes, I suppose so," agreed Mrs. Thayne. "Take care of Fran,
+Roger, and don't get separated. You might notice any attractive
+places offering lodgings. We don't want to stay in this hotel all
+winter and the sooner we are settled the better."
+
+"Come along, Fran," exclaimed Roger. "That infant train is getting
+a move on."
+
+The two tore impetuously from the sitting-room. "Such energy!"
+Mrs. Thayne remarked with a sigh. "Will you lie down here, Win?"
+
+"No, I think I'll write a bit," replied her son. "I'm not so done
+up as you are, Mother."
+
+"Why Roger wasn't ill after the strange combination of food he ate
+at Winchester last evening is a miracle," remarked Mrs. Thayne.
+"Were you planning to write to Father?"
+
+"I will," replied her son. "Mother, do go and rest. You look like
+the latter end of a wasted life. But I hope the kids will light on
+some lodgings. I've had enough of hotels. Nothing on earth is so
+deadly dull and so deadly respectable as a first-class English
+hotel."
+
+"Why, of course it is respectable," said Mrs. Thayne, looking
+rather puzzled.
+
+"Thunder, yes! But it's so _fearfully_ proper! That head-waiter
+down-stairs, with his side-whiskers and his velvet tread and his
+confidential voice--why, when he came to take my order, I wanted
+to pull his hair or do something to turn him into a human being."
+
+Mrs. Thayne smiled. Much as she loved Win, she did not always
+understand him. Shut out from active sports, Win had early taken
+refuge in the world of books and his quick perceptions were often
+those of a mature mind.
+
+When his mother had gone into her room, Win settled himself by the
+west window overlooking the bay where Castle Elizabeth rose on its
+rock in the middle distance. Win looked at it approvingly,
+promising himself later the fun of finding out its history and
+present use. Just now, he would devote himself to getting the
+family journal up to date for Father, on duty with the _Philadelphia_,
+somewhere near Constantinople. It was to be on the same
+side of the Atlantic that the Thaynes had come to England and
+a slight attack of bronchitis on Win's part had resulted in this
+additional trip. Jersey was reported to possess a mild climate as
+well as good schools where Roger and Frances might have new and
+probably interesting experiences. Win himself was not equal to
+school routine, but there would doubtless be some tutor available
+to give him an hour or two every day, a pleasant and easy task for
+some young man, for Win was always eager to study when health
+permitted.
+
+Deep in his heart was the ever-present regret that he could not
+enter Annapolis nor follow in the footsteps of his father, but if
+an elder brother had any influence, Roger was going into the naval
+service. At present, Roger showed no inclination to such a future,
+and was but mildly interested in his father's career, but Captain
+Thayne and Win shared an unspoken hope that a change would come
+with the passing years.
+
+For some time after finishing his letter, Win sat with eyes on
+Castle Elizabeth, idly speculating about the coming winter. This
+old-world island, with its differing customs and ancient
+traditions seemed a place where most interesting things might
+happen, a land of romance and fairy gold, offering possibilities
+of strange adventure. Just because Win was debarred from most
+boyish fun, his mind turned eagerly to deeds of daring. Visions of
+pirates, smugglers, and buried hoards often danced through his
+brain, and the least suggestion of any mystery was enough to
+excite his keen interest. That hoary old castle on its island
+proved a source of many romantic ideas to Win, who presently fell
+into a day-dream.
+
+The sun set in crimson splendor behind the castle towers and Win's
+reverie changed to genuine slumber from which he was roused by the
+reappearance of Mrs. Thayne.
+
+"I'm sorry I waked you," she said. "I didn't notice that you were
+asleep."
+
+"Why, I didn't know I was," said Win lazily. "I must have been
+dreaming and yet I thought I was awake. It was such an odd dream
+about a young man or rather a boy, in queer clothes ornamented
+with silver buttons and wearing his hair in curls over his
+shoulders. I was following him somewhere through a passage, very
+dark and narrow. Then suddenly we were in a room with a big
+fireplace and books around the walls. It was a beautiful old room
+but I never remember seeing a place like it. Some other people
+came, all men, also in queer clothes and very quiet and serious.
+On a table was food of some kind and this boy I had been following
+began to eat but the others stood about, apparently consulting
+over something. Then I woke. Wasn't it a crazy dream? Oh, the
+reason we were in that passage was because something was lost. I
+don't know what it was nor how I knew it was lost but we were
+trying to find it."
+
+"That was odd. You must have read something that suggested it,"
+Mrs. Thayne began, just as Fran and Roger came into the room,
+bursting with suppressed excitement. For a few moments they talked
+in a duet.
+
+"Mother, it's lovely over at St. Aubin's, ever so much nicer than
+here," Fran began breathlessly, her brown eyes sparkling. "And
+such a funny little train running along the esplanade!"
+
+"You couldn't believe there was such a beach," put in Roger. "Why,
+the tide goes out forever, clear to the horizon! Fellows were
+playing football down there, two games. How much does this tide
+rise, Win?"
+
+"This book I've been reading says forty feet," replied his
+brother.
+
+"And the houses!" Fran went on breathlessly, "all colors, cream
+and brown and blue and pink."
+
+"Oh, draw it mild, Sis," interrupted Win. "I should admire a pink
+house."
+
+"It's out there," said Frances, "and what's more, it's very
+pretty!"
+
+"That's right," corroborated Roger. "Wouldn't a pink house look
+something fierce at home? But here it's swell and kind of--of
+appropriate," he ended lamely.
+
+"And flowers, Mother," Frances took up the tale. "_Hedges_ of
+fuchsia, real live tall hedges, not measly little potted plants.
+Geraniums as tall as I am, and ever so many roses and violets. Oh,
+and we've found some lodgings. You're to see them to-morrow."
+
+"Frances!" exclaimed her horrified mother. "You haven't been in
+strange houses, inspecting rooms?"
+
+"Why, you told us to look for them, didn't you, Mother?" replied
+her astonished and literal daughter. "Roger was with me. It was
+perfectly all right."
+
+"I simply meant you to notice from the outside any attractive
+houses that advertised lodgings," explained Mrs. Thayne. "Well--"
+she ended helplessly, "I suppose there's no harm done."
+
+"Why, no," Frances agreed. "What could happen? Let me tell you
+about them. We took the baby cars and got off at St. Aubin's
+because that especial train didn't go any farther. It's lovely
+there, Mother, and plenty of lodgings to let. We walked along and
+saw one house that looked pleasant, so we went up and rang and a
+maid showed us into a parlor. We knew right off we didn't want to
+come there, because the place was so dark and stuffy and there
+were fourteen hundred family photographs and knit woolen mats and
+such things around. I was going to sit down but just as I got near
+the chair,--it was rather dark, you see,--something said 'Hello!'
+and there was a horrid great parrot sitting on the back of the
+chair. I jumped about a foot."
+
+"You screamed, too," said Roger.
+
+"I may have exclaimed," admitted Frances judicially. "It was not a
+scream. If I had yelled, you would have known it. Well, a messy
+old woman came who called me 'dear,' but when I said I didn't
+believe my mother would care for the rooms, she got huffy and said
+she was accustomed to rent her rooms to ladies, only she
+pronounced it _lydies_.
+
+"We left that place," went on Frances, paying no attention to the
+look of silent endurance on her mother's face, "and walked some
+distance without seeing anything we liked. But suddenly we came to
+a tiny street going down to the sea. There were only six houses
+and one had a card in the window. They faced the bay and just big
+rocks were on the other side of the street. Now, listen."
+
+Frances went on dramatically. "The house with the card was the
+dearest thing, all cream-color and green, with a pink rambler rose
+perfectly enormous, growing 'way up to the eaves, and a rough roof
+of red tiles and steep gables. The windows were that dinky kind
+that open outward and had little bits of panes. Everything was
+clean as clean, the steps and the curtains and the glass. While we
+were looking, the door opened and a girl came out. She was about
+my age, Mother, but _so_ pretty, with gray eyes and yellow hair
+and _such_ a complexion. I'd give anything to look like her."
+
+Frances shook her head with disapproval over her own brown hair
+and eyes. To be sure the one was curly and the others straightforward
+and earnest, while her gipsy little face and figure were considered
+attractive by most people and by those who loved her, very satisfactory
+indeed.
+
+"Well, this girl came out and we sort of smiled at each other and
+I asked if that card meant that there were rooms to let. I told
+her you were seasick, and at the hotel, and my brother and I saw
+the card and we were looking for lodgings and all the rest, you
+know. She said yes, there were rooms and she'd call Sister.
+
+"Sister came and she was a love, tall and sweet and just
+beautiful, only she looked sad and wore a black dress. The younger
+girl went away but Sister showed us the rooms and they are just
+what we'd like, I'm sure. There wasn't any messy wool stuff nor
+ugly vases,--I forgot to mention that in the other place there
+were eight pair of vases on the mantel, truly, for Roger counted
+them. These rooms were clean and rather bare, with painted floors
+and washable rugs and fresh curtains and flowers, just one vase in
+each room and a clear glass vase at that. The beds had iron frames
+and good springs and mattresses, for I punched them to see. Aren't
+you proud to think I knew enough to do that?" Fran interrupted her
+story.
+
+"Two bedrooms had the furniture painted white and the rest had
+some old mahogany," she went on.
+
+"How many rooms were there?" inquired Mrs. Thayne, attracted by
+Fran's enthusiasm and interested by the pleasant picture she was
+describing.
+
+"On the first floor is the drawing-room, which will be at our
+disposal," began Frances, evidently quoting "Sister." "It's pretty
+and sweet, Mother dear, very simple with a little upright piano
+and quite a number of books and a fireplace. Just behind is a room
+where we can have our meals. We can use as many bedrooms as we
+like; there are five and Sister said if we wished, one could be
+made into an up-stairs-sitting-room. The bathroom was really up-
+to-date, and looking _very_ clean."
+
+"And how much does Sister expect for all this?" inquired her
+mother.
+
+"Well," admitted Frances, "I asked and she smiled so sweetly and
+said it depended upon how much service we required and whether we
+wanted to do our own marketing and perhaps it would be better to
+discuss the terms after you saw whether you liked the rooms. I
+told her we were Americans and she said yes, she had thought so. I
+don't see why," Frances ended reflectively.
+
+Win gave a chuckle. "Easy enough to guess," he remarked. "I
+imagine English girls of fourteen don't go around on their own
+hook, engaging lodgings for the family."
+
+"I am almost fifteen," said his sister severely. "And I understood
+that Mother wanted me to look for rooms, so I did, but of course
+she will make the final arrangements. I thanked Sister and said
+I'd try to bring my mother in the morning, for I felt sure she
+would like the rooms. And Sister said she'd be very glad to have
+young people in the house and that if you wanted references,
+Mother, you could apply to some clergyman,--I forget his name,--
+but I know it's all right. You'll think so, too, the minute you
+see Sister. I fell in love with her. Oh, her name is Pearce,
+Estelle Pearce. She gave me her card."
+
+Frances produced it. "You will come and see the rooms to-morrow,
+won't you, Mother? Win can come too, for that tiny train is very
+comfortable and the walk to the house is short. Rose Villa,
+Noirmont Terrace. Isn't that a sweet name?"
+
+[Illustration: THE VILLAGE OF ST. AUBIN'S]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+ST. HELIER'S
+
+
+The moment she entered Rose Villa, Mrs. Thayne heartily agreed
+with Frances as to its desirability. To Estelle's amazement, she
+proceeded to engage all the rooms, offering to pay for the
+privilege of having the whole house for her family.
+
+This was better fortune than Estelle had dreamed of and scarcely
+two days passed before she realized that a kindly star was
+favoring her. Frances and Edith became friends on the spot; Nurse,
+who might have proved a problem, took an instant fancy to delicate
+Win and started on a course of coddling that luckily amused Win
+quite as much as it satisfied Nurse. Blunt, downright Roger
+appealed especially to Estelle, who also found Mrs. Thayne
+charming.
+
+"Aren't we in luck, little sister?" she confided to Edith. "Even
+our wildest expectations couldn't have pictured anything more
+pleasant than this. If they only stop the winter! But where are
+you going now?"
+
+"On the sands with the others," said Edith happily. "Fran asked
+me. The boys have gone ahead to the end of the terrace."
+
+Win was singing softly to himself as he stood looking down upon
+the sandy beach that stretched for miles towards St. Helier's at
+the left, and on the right, though showing more warm red granite
+rocks, to Noirmont Point. "Britannia needs no bulwarks, no towers
+along the steeps," he hummed just above his breath.
+
+"There's a tower right in front of you," commented Roger, between
+the throwing of two stones.
+
+Win cast a glance at the deserted castle of St. Aubin's, a
+miniature Castle Elizabeth on its isolated rock off shore, another
+at the martello tower on the point.
+
+"I was talking to a man about those little towers," he remarked.
+"One can be rented for a pound a year, and there are thirty-two of
+them around the island. But they didn't amount to much when it
+came to actual fighting. The rocks and tides are what makes Jersey
+safe. That's what I meant by this place needing no bulwarks."
+
+"One of those martello towers would make a fine wireless station,"
+commented Roger. "Why did they build them if they aren't any use?"
+
+"They thought they were going to be," replied Win, looking to see
+whether the girls were coming. "About two centuries ago there was
+a battle down in the Mediterranean that was decided by the
+possession of one of those little towers, so England built a good
+many. But they weren't much use after all."
+
+"I never knew that before," said Edith, as she and Frances joined
+the boys.
+
+"England wasn't the only nation that was taken in by them," Win
+went on. "Italy has a number on her southern coast. For a long
+time people supposed they were called martello towers from the man
+who built them, but I found in a book that the name came from a
+vine that grew over this one in Corsica. Before many moons pass
+I'm going to get into one of them. Smugglers must have used them
+and there may be things left behind."
+
+Frances cast a glance at the tower in question. At first
+inspection it looked like a stony mushroom sprouting from the
+rocks. Some distance above the base opened a rough entrance and a
+low parapet encircled the top. To scramble over the exposed rocks
+to the base of this especial tower appeared a hard climb, to say
+nothing of the difficulties of ascending. The feat looked beyond
+Win's accomplishment but Frances said nothing. To argue with Win
+about whether he could or ought to attempt anything was never
+wise. Left to himself he would stop within the bounds of prudence
+but resented solicitude from others.
+
+"Well, where are we going?" she asked.
+
+"Let's take the train into St. Helier's," suggested Win. "We've
+scarcely seen the town."
+
+Edith looked doubtful. "I ought to ask Sister," she said. "Star
+thought we were just going on the sands."
+
+"And so we are," replied Roger. "We're taking a train that runs on
+the sands," he mimicked in a teasing, boyish way. "Why don't you
+call it a beach?"
+
+"Because it _is_ sands," retorted Edith with a pretty flash of
+spirit that Roger already delighted to arouse. "The tram-line is
+far beyond the shingle."
+
+[Illustration: "FOR A LONG TIME PEOPLE SUPPOSED THEY WERE CALLED
+MARTELLO TOWERS FROM THE MAN WHO BUILT THEM."]
+
+"Shingle!" gasped Roger, staring in that direction. "I don't see
+any."
+
+"The pebbles, cobbles, beyond the sands," explained Edith.
+
+"Oh, excuse _me_," chuckled Roger. "I thought they were plain
+stones. Didn't see anything particularly wooden about them."
+
+Edith looked at him. A few days had made her feel very well
+acquainted with these friendly young people, but Roger was often
+surprising.
+
+"Oh, cut it short, Roger," drawled Win. "Run back, will you, and
+tell Mother that we want to go into town. She won't care and I
+don't believe Miss Estelle will either, but we ought to mention
+it. Hustle, because I think that train is coming."
+
+Roger obligingly bolted back, received a nod of possible
+comprehension from a mother very much absorbed in an important
+letter, and arrived just as the others boarded the steam tram, a
+funny affair with a kind of balcony along one side where people
+who preferred the air could stay instead of going inside. Edith
+and Frances exchanged smiles of happiness.
+
+"I haven't been to St. Helier's often," Edith confided. "Just to
+market once with Nurse, and once to choose curtains with Sister.
+We thought the drapers' shops quite excellent."
+
+Fran's attention was held for an instant, but after all it seemed
+only reasonable that draperies should be purchased at a draper's.
+
+"Isn't the beach lovely?" she confided. "It would be fun to walk
+back."
+
+"We might," said Edith. "Would Win care if we did? Or could he do
+it too?"
+
+"He couldn't walk so far," said Fran, "but he won't mind if we
+want to. Win is angelic about not stopping us from doing things he
+can't do himself."
+
+"Has he always had to be so careful?" asked Edith. She and Frances
+sat at a little distance from the boys. Roger was peering around
+into the cab of the tiny engine; Win watched the water as it broke
+on the beach.
+
+"Always," said Frances. "He was just a tiny baby when they knew
+something was wrong with his heart. It isn't painful and may never
+be any worse. Only he must take great care not to get over-tired.
+Ever so many doctors have seen him and they all say the same
+thing,--that if he is prudent and never does too much, he may
+outlive us all. Just now in London, he and Mother went to a
+specialist but all he told Win was that he must cultivate the art
+of being lazy. Mother says the worst was when he was too little to
+realize that he mustn't do things. Now, of course, he understands
+and takes care of himself. It's hard on Win but Mother says it's
+good for Roger and me. It does make Roger more thoughtful. He says
+anything he likes to Win and pretends to tease him, but if you
+notice, you'll see that he does every single thing Win wants and
+always looks to see if he's all right. It helps me too, for I'm
+ashamed to fuss over trifles when Win has so much to bear."
+
+The little tram was traveling at a moderate pace toward town,
+stopping at several tiny stations where more and more people
+entered.
+
+"I can't get used to hearing people talk French," said Frances.
+"It seems so odd when Jersey is a part of England."
+
+"The French spoken here isn't that of Paris," remarked her
+brother, rising from his seat. "It's Norman French."
+
+"I know I can't understand it easily," confessed Edith, "and
+Sister has always taken pains to teach me. I'm glad it isn't all
+my fault."
+
+The train came to a stand on the esplanade of St. Helier's. The
+four stopped to look over the sea-wall, to the beach far below,
+across to the long stone piers forming the artificial sea basin
+and up to Fort Regent overhanging the town like a war-cloud.
+
+"That fort looks stuck on the cliff like a swallow's nest,"
+commented Roger. "Look, there's a snow-white sea-gull!"
+
+"There's another with a black tail," exclaimed Edith. "Oh, aren't
+they beautiful!"
+
+"In the United States is a city that put up a monument to the sea-
+gulls," said Win. "Salt Lake City, ever so far inland. A fearful
+plague of grasshoppers ate everything green and turned the place
+into a desert. They came the second summer, but something else
+came too. Over the Rocky Mountains, away from the Pacific Ocean,
+flew a great flock of gulls and ate the grasshoppers. Their coming
+seemed so like a miracle that the city erected a beautiful
+monument to them."
+
+"Did they ever come again?" asked Edith, greatly impressed.
+
+"No," said Win. "Just that once."
+
+"Without doubt it was a miracle," said Edith so reverently that
+the three looked at her.
+
+Roger gave a little snort, started to say something, looked again
+at Edith's rapt face and changed his mind. "Boston ought to put up
+a monument, too," he remarked at length. "Miracles happen every
+summer in Boston. The city swelters with the mercury out of sight
+and then along steps the east wind. In ten minutes, everybody puts
+on coats and stops drinking ice-water. Some tidy miracle-worker,
+our east wind."
+
+"Especially in winter," said Win laughing. "I'm afraid a monument
+to the east wind wouldn't be popular along in January. Shall we
+come on? Let's go up this street. I've a map, but things look
+rather crooked, so we'd better keep together."
+
+The quartette started, Roger and Win leading the way. St. Helier's
+streets are indeed crooked, and paved with cobble stones of
+alarming size and sonorous qualities. Numerous men and boys
+tramped along in wooden sabots which made a most unearthly
+clatter. Even little girls wore them, though otherwise their dress
+was not unusual. Outside one shop hung many of the clumsy foot-
+gear, the price explaining their evident popularity.
+
+Signs over shops were as often French as English and sometimes
+both. At one corner, the party met a man ringing a bell and
+uttering a proclamation in French. At the next corner he stopped
+to announce it in English and the interested boys found that he
+was advertising a public auction. No one else seemed in the least
+attentive to his remarks.
+
+Fifteen minutes' loitering through narrow, ill-paved streets,
+crowded with hurrying people and a great number of dogs, brought
+the four to an open square of irregular shape with a gilded statue
+at one end. Its curious draperies caught Win's observant eye and
+he walked around it thoughtfully.
+
+"What a very queer costume!" he remarked as he completed his
+circuit. "What is it doing on a statue of an English king?"
+
+Win spoke aloud, not noticing that the others were beyond hearing,
+but his inquiry was answered by a gentleman who chanced to be
+passing.
+
+"It is a Roman statue," he volunteered, "rescued from a shipwreck.
+The thrifty Jerseymen considered it too good to be wasted, so they
+gilded it and placed it here in the Royal Square in honor of
+George the Second."
+
+Win smiled as he turned to the speaker, a tall, thin Englishman in
+riding dress. His bearing suggested a military training and a
+second glance showed an empty coat-sleeve.
+
+"This group of buildings may interest you," the speaker added.
+"They contain the Court House, Parliament rooms and a small public
+library."
+
+Touching his riding-crop to his hat in response to Win's thanks,
+he turned into a side street where a young man mounted on a
+handsome horse sat holding the bridle of another. With interest
+Win watched them ride away. Even from a distance, something about
+the younger man struck a chord of recollection in Win's usually
+reliable memory. He was almost certain that somewhere, at some
+time, they had met. Yet he could not think of any American
+acquaintance of that age who would be at all likely to be riding
+about the island of Jersey, his companion not only an Englishman,
+but obviously an ex-army officer.
+
+Still, the impression of familiarity was strong and Win was yet
+wondering about it as he slowly climbed the stairs leading to the
+public library.
+
+Protesting somewhat, the others followed to look at a rather
+uninviting room, appealing to them far less than to Win, already
+on the trail for local history. The attendant proved obliging and
+after supplying Win with several books brought out a shabby brown
+volume.
+
+"We have one of your writers on our shelves," he remarked with a
+smile, offering the book to Frances.
+
+"Poems of Oliver Wendell Holmes," she read aloud. "Haven't you any
+other American authors?" she demanded in amazement. "And how did
+you know I was an American?"
+
+The librarian shook his head. "I have often thought we should have
+more American books," he replied, "but they are so extremely dear
+as compared with those published on this side of the Atlantic that
+we have not afforded them. How did I know your nationality? By the
+way you speak."
+
+Frances looked disgusted. She said little more, but soon persuaded
+the reluctant Win to postpone his investigations and come down
+again into the Royal Square.
+
+"Now, Sis, what's the matter with you?" Win inquired on seeing her
+flushed face.
+
+"Oh, you didn't hear that man say he knew I was an American by the
+way I talked," sniffed Frances indignantly.
+
+"Anybody would think you didn't want to be one," commented Roger
+bluntly.
+
+"I wouldn't be anything else," retorted Frances, "only I don't
+care to have fun poked at the way I talk."
+
+Win's glance traveled from his sister's annoyed face to Edith's,
+which wore a look of perplexity.
+
+"We're polite," he remarked. "Here's Edith, who wouldn't be
+anything but English."
+
+"No," said Edith gravely. "One always feels that way about one's
+country. But I understand what Frances means. And I see why people
+know you are not English. It isn't so much your pronunciation, but
+you put words in odd places in the sentence and some of your
+expressions are most unusual," she ended apologetically. "I like
+them. It is interesting to hear things called by new names. Just
+now Fran said 'poke fun' when she meant 'criticise,' and Roger
+says a thing is 'fine and dandy' when I should call it 'top-hole.'
+That is the difference, is it not?"
+
+The others laughed and Edith's attempt to bridge a dangerous
+situation ended successfully. Presently their whereabouts absorbed
+their attention for Win had left the map behind him on the library
+table.
+
+For a time they wandered at random, following one narrow street
+after another, seeing interesting shop windows, but presently
+discovered that they did not know where they were.
+
+"The esplanade must lie at our left," said Win. "If we keep
+turning in that direction we shall surely strike it."
+
+"Look at that candy," exclaimed Roger, attaching himself to a
+confectioner's window. "Here's a chance to acquire some choice
+English. What is black-jack, Edith? Looks like liquorice. Bismarck
+marble, Gladstone rock, toffy,--what's toffy?"
+
+"It is sweets made of treacle instead of sugar," explained Edith,
+turning surprised eyes upon him.
+
+"Sweets! treacle!" exclaimed Roger after a petrified instant.
+"Bring me a fan! Give me air!"
+
+"Why," said Frances, a sudden light dawning on her. "Treacle! I
+never knew before what Alice in Wonderland meant by her treacle
+well. It's molasses, Edith. There are some chocolate peppermints!"
+
+Without stopping for further speech Frances dashed into the shop.
+Presently she emerged, carrying a white paper bag, or "sack" as
+Edith designated it, and with an odd expression of face.
+
+"Joke?" inquired Win. "What did you ask for?" he demanded,
+accepting a piece of candy.
+
+"I got what I wanted," said Fran evasively. "It's always possible
+to walk behind a counter and help yourself if you don't know the
+names of things."
+
+Later she drew Edith aside. "What do you call these?" she asked
+confidentially.
+
+"Peppermint chocolate drops," replied Edith. "What else could they
+be?"
+
+Turning constantly to the left did not bring them to the sea.
+Instead they walked a long distance only to find themselves in a
+poorer part of the town, with increasing crowds of children
+inclined to follow. Their appearance seemed a source of interest
+to older people as well and presently Win was induced to inquire
+his way to the boulevard.
+
+To his surprise the reply came in French, but between his own
+knowledge and that of Edith, they made out that they were
+traveling inland instead of toward the shore. This sounded
+impossible unless they had completely lost all sense of direction.
+
+But a second inquiry brought the same answer, so they followed the
+offered advice, coming at last to the bay of St. Aubin's more than
+a mile below St. Helier's, fortunately near one of the tram
+stopping-places. Edith was good for a walk home and Roger would
+have gone also if challenged, but both Win and Frances were tired
+so Edith did not propose to return by the beach. Indeed, the tide
+was now so high that they would have been forced to go part of the
+way by the road.
+
+"School for us to-morrow," said Frances dismally. "But I think we
+should plan to do something very interesting every holiday all
+winter."
+
+"We will take a tea-basket and lunch out of doors," replied Edith
+happily. "There are beautiful spots to visit in Jersey."
+
+Win looked up suddenly. "Fran," he asked, "did you notice those
+gentlemen who rode out of the square while we were looking at the
+statue? Had you ever seen the younger one before?"
+
+Fran shook her head. "I noticed only the one who spoke to you,"
+she replied. "I was looking at their horses."
+
+"All the same," mused Win thoughtfully, "I've seen that young
+fellow before and it must have been in the United States, for I
+know I should remember encountering him over here."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+THE BEACH DOG
+
+
+"You would certainly smile if you could see the school I am going
+to," Frances wrote to her chum, Marjorie Benton, "but when I think
+of you and the other girls back at the dear old Boston Latin, I
+feel more like crying.
+
+"First I must tell you about Edith Pearce, the girl in the house
+where we are staying. She has long flaxen hair which hangs over
+her shoulders in the most childish way, though she's our age. Her
+eyes are gray with dark lashes and when she looks at you they are
+like surprised stars. And she has the most beautiful complexion in
+the world, just pink and white. She is lovely to look at and I
+feel like a tanned, homely gipsy beside her. She's sweet too, but
+very easily shocked and I'm afraid she's not only good but pious.
+She can never take your place so don't worry, only, as I have to
+be here, I might as well have some fun with her.
+
+"I go to school with Edith and it is as unlike the Latin School as
+the North Pole and Boston Common. There are about thirty boarders,
+some of them little bits of things--Edith calls them 'tinies'--who
+have been sent home from India where their parents couldn't keep
+them any longer. About fifty day-scholars attend, from kindergarten
+age up.
+
+"I'm the only American and I can tell you I was well stared at. At
+first the girls couldn't believe it, insisted that I must be
+Scotch or at least Canadian, so now I wear a little United States
+flag pin all the time. Gracious, but things are different,
+especially clothes! Mine are the prettiest in school, if I do say
+it, and Edith thinks so too. She says my 'frocks' are 'chic.'
+
+"Most of the girls, even the big ones almost eighteen, wear their
+hair hanging and have _such_ dresses,--frocks, I mean. They fit
+like meal bags, and being combinations of many colors, look
+perfectly dreadful. And yet the girls are very nice, some of them
+from really important families.
+
+"To cap the climax, most of them sport ugly black mohair aprons
+which they call 'alpaca pinnies.' Marjorie, can you imagine what
+they look like? I told Mother if she wanted me to be English to
+the extent of wearing a pinafore, I should lie down and die and
+I'm thankful to say that she simply grinned. But many of the girls
+have wonderful yellow or red-gold hair and stunning peachy
+complexions, so they aren't such frights as you'd think.
+
+"Instead of going around from one class to another as in any
+sensible school, the girls stay in one room and teacher after
+teacher,--I mean mistress, comes to them. I get so everlastingly
+tired sitting still. Never before did I realize what a rest it was
+to walk from class to class and get a chat on the way. The only
+exceptions to this rule are preparation, when we sit at desks
+under the eye of a monitress, and gymnasium work.
+
+"Marjorie, when I first beheld that gymnasium teacher, I nearly
+fainted. Her molasses-colored hair was frizzed hard in front and
+pinned in a round bun at the back of her head. She had on tight-
+fitting knee trousers, not bloomers, believe me. Over these she
+wore a white sweater of a very fancy weave. Over this was a weird
+tunic of alpaca with two box-plaits in front and three in back.
+This fell an inch or so below her knees, and every time she bent
+over or stretched up, those queer tight trousers showed. Her shoes
+were ordinary ones with heels. The girls wear either their usual
+frocks or an arrangement like this. I can tell you my pretty brown
+gym suit was the event of the day when I appeared in it.
+
+"Everybody wears slippers at school, puts them on when she first
+comes and no wonder, because the English shoes are the worst-
+looking and clumsiest things ever invented by man. Edith's feet
+look twice as big in her boots as in slippers. You'd think by
+their appearance that English feet were a different shape from
+ours, but they are not; it is only the shoes. They make them so
+thick and stout that they last for years. Edith was plainly
+shocked when I told her I had a new pair every few months. She
+thinks mine suitable only for the house. Well, I will admit that
+English girls can out-walk me.
+
+"The other mistresses aren't so queer as the gym teacher but look
+more like other people except that they wear too much jewelry.
+Everybody wears a great deal and you know what we think at home of
+ladies who appear on the street with rings and chains and lockets.
+Edith and her sister Estelle don't dress so, but Mother says they
+are quite exceptional.
+
+"As for lessons, we have to study. They expect a lot of grammar
+and parsing, and dates in history and solid facts in geography and
+all that. Mother approves; she thinks the English system much less
+faddy than at home. We have Bible instruction in regular lessons.
+I'll admit that these English girls know more than I do about
+things in books, but they haven't any idea what's going on in the
+present world. They didn't know much about the Panama canal and
+the tolls. Win howled when I said I explained it to them and vowed
+he'd give a dollar to have heard me. And several didn't know who
+was president of the United States. Imagine that, when we're the
+most important republic in the world! I knew their old king.
+
+"We begin school at half-past eight and have prayers and a Bible
+exercise. Different classes follow until eleven when a gong rings
+and everybody rushes into the garden, a lovely place with box-
+edged beds and a sun dial and gravel walks. There are myrtles and
+geraniums, great big bushes of them, and japonicas and heavenly
+wall-flowers and _trees_ of lemon verbena and fuchsias up to the
+eaves. This is solid truth, and in November, too.
+
+"In the garden we find a table with jugs of milk,--notice my
+English, please--and biscuit, that is, crackers, and we gobble and
+faith, we have reason! Studying so hard makes one famished. Then
+recreation follows for half an hour and we play ball or tennis.
+Some of the girls are splendid players. School again until two,
+when we day-scholars leave.
+
+"Three afternoons a week, we have to go back for gym work and
+English composition, which is beastly. On Wednesday there is no
+school.
+
+"Do you want to know what I've learned in one week of school in
+Jersey?
+
+"Well, I can speak three sentences in French. I'll write you in
+French next time.
+
+"I know that Amos and Hosea and Isaiah were all prophets and said
+that Israel was a very bad place.
+
+"I know that Paleolithic man was probably the first inhabitant of
+Great Britain.
+
+"I know how few people like to join mission study classes.
+
+"And I know that I love you."
+
+Fran finished her letter, directed and sealed the envelope,
+affixed a stamp, sniffing slightly at the head of King George
+instead of George Washington, and ran down-stairs.
+
+"Do you know where Edith is?" she asked of Nurse.
+
+"She is out in front, Miss Frances," replied Nurse. "Are you going
+for a walk?"
+
+"Just to the beach. We'll be back for tea."
+
+Edith stood at the gate and the two ran down to the shore. The
+tide, half-way out, left bare a tremendous expanse of wet sand,
+iridescent under the sun's rays. The water showed wonderful shades
+of blue, green and turquoise, and in the edge of the retreating
+waves walked hundreds of gulls, searching for food.
+
+The girls started up the beach toward St. Helier's, chatting
+happily as they watched the water and the birds. Little sandpipers
+appeared and some huge gray cormorants.
+
+Presently a handsome collie ran up to them, dropped a stone before
+Frances and stood looking at her, his head cocked on one side, all
+but speaking.
+
+"You darling," said Frances, picking up the pebble. "Does he want
+to be played with? Well, he shall."
+
+She threw the stone down the beach and the collie shot after it at
+full speed, his beautiful tawny coat shining in the sunlight.
+
+"Twice before," said Edith, "when I've been on the sands, he has
+begged me to throw stones for him to chase. He's a thorough-bred.
+Such fine markings! He looks like one of the Westmoreland sheep
+dogs. You've heard of them, haven't you? They are so intelligent
+about taking care of sheep and they understand everything their
+masters want. We saw one once that separated and brought to his
+master three sheep out of a big flock and the man didn't say one
+word, only motioned to him. He wants you to throw it again."
+
+"I can't throw stones for you all night," said Fran at last. "You
+take a turn, Edith."
+
+Edith threw a pebble picked up at random. The collie raced for it
+and after a sniff, returned without it.
+
+"He wants his own stone and no other," laughed Frances. "See, he's
+hunting all about. There, he's found it!"
+
+For a good mile down the beach the collie accompanied them, till
+both were tired of play. Convinced that they would throw his stone
+no longer, the dog reluctantly left them. Looking back, they saw
+him accosting a young man, who promptly yielded to the mute
+coaxing.
+
+"I wonder whose dog he is," said Edith. "He didn't seem to belong
+to any one we passed. I fancy he's here on his own."
+
+"We really ought to go over to Castle Elizabeth soon," observed
+Frances. "Doesn't it look like a huge monster stranded out there
+in the harbor?"
+
+"Sister is afraid of the tides," replied Edith. "A soldier was
+drowned there the other day, trying to cross the causeway after
+the tide had turned. Look, Fran, I believe that must be his
+funeral up on the road now. It is a military one at any rate."
+
+Frances looked with interest. First marched a guard of soldiers,
+two by two, then a band with muffled drums, playing the Dead
+March. After the band came a gun-carriage drawn by four horses and
+bearing the coffin, over which was draped the English flag.
+Several barouches followed with officers in uniform, and then the
+rest of the regiment, walking very slowly, their guns reversed.
+
+As the procession approached, every man on the route uncovered and
+did not replace his hat until it had passed, a mark of respect
+which struck Frances forcibly. "They have better manners than we
+have," she acknowledged half to herself.
+
+Edith looked surprised. "Men always uncover on meeting a funeral,"
+she remarked. "This was a private, but if he had been an officer,
+his helmet and sword would be on the flag, and directly behind the
+gun-carriage, his orderly would lead his riderless horse. A
+military wedding is so pretty, Frances. I saw one once in Bath
+Abbey. The officers were all in full uniform and after the
+ceremony they formed in the aisle, two lines going way down out of
+the church and at a signal, drew their swords and crossed them
+with a clash above their heads and the bride and groom came down
+this path through the glittering swords. I was just a tiny then,
+but I decided I'd marry a soldier so I could have the arch of
+swords."
+
+"It must have been very pretty," Frances agreed. "Why, what are
+those? See, like immense horseshoes in the water."
+
+"The bathing pools," explained Edith. "They show only when the
+tide is very low. They keep back water for bathing."
+
+"And a good job, too, when you have a tide that goes out of
+sight," commented Frances approvingly, as she looked at the two
+huge masonry walls near St. Helier's, set in the expanse of wet
+sand. "Look at the boys sailing boats."
+
+"Sometimes there are real races with little model yachts," said
+Edith. "There's a club of the young officers and some of the
+townspeople and they have the prettiest little miniature boats
+with keels about a metre long, rigged exactly like real racing
+yachts. It's great sport to see them. But ought we not to go
+back?"
+
+The girls turned for they were already far from home. To their
+surprise they were presently greeted again by the collie who tore
+up to hail them rapturously.
+
+"Still chewing your stone?" Frances inquired. "Come along. I
+suppose we'll have to take you part way back."
+
+The collie flew for the pebble as though for the first time of the
+afternoon. Before they had gone more than a quarter of a mile, a
+pretty young lady came up.
+
+"I'm afraid my bad Tylo has been bothering you," she said
+apologetically. "He is forever coming on the sands and badgering
+people into playing with him."
+
+"Oh, we liked to play," said Frances, smiling. "I think he's a
+brick. What did you call him?"
+
+"Tylo," replied the young lady. "After the dog in the 'Blue Bird,'
+you know."
+
+Edith also smiled. Their new acquaintance was looking from one to
+another, a charming and rather mischievous expression lighting a
+sweet face.
+
+"You're a little sister compatriot," she said to Edith; "but I
+fancy this little lady comes from across the ocean."
+
+"Yes, I do," said Frances, "but how did you know?"
+
+The young lady laughed merrily. "Oh, I've knocked about a good
+bit. And I happen to have known one American boy very well.
+Indeed, we really grew up together in Italy and England. 'Brick'
+is rather an American word, isn't it? I've surely heard my friend
+use it. Americans seldom find their way to Jersey. Are you
+stopping long?"
+
+"Perhaps all winter," replied Frances.
+
+"There are many delightful excursions to make in the island," said
+the young lady. "Come along, Tylo. We must go home to tea. Oh,"
+she added to the girls, "when you go on picnics, don't forget to
+look for caves."
+
+With another smile and a charming little nod, she left them.
+
+"I wonder who she is," said Frances, frankly looking after her.
+The erect lithe figure was crowned by a finely poised head and a
+wealth of beautiful fair hair, prettily arranged. Something in her
+face suggested possibilities of good comradeship, and her dress,
+while simplicity itself, betrayed a French origin.
+
+"She looks nice enough and ladylike enough to be an American,"
+thought Frances approvingly and with a sudden stab of homesickness.
+
+"I wish she'd told us her name," she went on aloud, "and who the
+American boy was. Perhaps we might know him."
+
+"He can scarcely be a boy now if they grew up together," observed
+Edith. "Wasn't she sweet? I hope we'll see her again."
+
+"And what did she mean by caves?" Frances continued, pursuing her
+train of thought. "That sounded very interesting and mysterious."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+MONT ORGUEIL
+
+
+To find a tutor for the boys proved less easy than Mrs. Thayne
+anticipated. There seemed a dearth of available young men in
+Jersey and she had about decided to send Roger to the best school
+and let Win work as he chose by himself, when Mr. Angus heard of a
+young Scotchman, already acting as secretary to a gentleman in St.
+Helier's and who could give the boys his afternoons.
+
+Such an arrangement was not ideal, but Win took an instant liking
+to the tall raw-boned person, who announced himself in a
+delightful manner as "Weelyum Feesher."
+
+Roger promptly dubbed him Bill Fish and refused to speak of him by
+any other term, causing his mother to live in terror lest Mr.
+Fisher should in some way learn of the disrespectful abbreviation.
+Roger was not at all enthusiastic about Bill Fish but liked still
+less the two schools he visited. To accept the tutor seemed the
+lesser of two evils.
+
+The chief drawback proved that the boys were occupied at just the
+time when the girls were free, with the exception of Wednesday, a
+holiday for all.
+
+The result was that Edith and Frances were thrown much together.
+Frances found it fortunate that she had a companion of her own
+age, for the island ladies soon called upon Mrs. Thayne and drew
+her into numerous social engagements. The little community had a
+strong army and navy tinge and naturally welcomed Mrs. Thayne. She
+would have taken far less part in the various festivities had she
+been leaving her daughter alone, but the two girls proved so
+congenial and Mrs. Thayne was so well satisfied with Edith as a
+companion for Frances that she felt free to indulge her own social
+instincts and enjoy the pleasant circle so invitingly opened.
+
+Whenever they went out, the girls kept a close watch for the "collie
+lady" and the "beach dog." Twice Tylo came to hail them on the
+sands, once apparently entirely alone. The other time he merely
+greeted them and bounded away to rejoin two riders on the road.
+One was his lady, her companion a slender young man of distinctly
+foreign aspect, dark and distinguished-looking. Their horses were
+walking slowly, the riders engaged in deep conversation and the
+beach dog's mistress did not see the eager faces of the girls.
+
+They talked a good deal about her, wondering who she was, where
+she lived and whether they would ever know her. After seeing her
+on horseback, they fell more and more under the spell of her charm
+and began to picture her the heroine of all sorts of stories.
+
+Day-dreams and romantic stories however, had but a small place in
+a world so busily filled with lessons of various kinds. One
+Tuesday evening, Frances was openly groaning over the need of
+writing an essay upon Julius Caesar.
+
+"Wouldn't you like him better if you saw something he did?"
+inquired Win, hearing her lamentations. "There's a castle in
+Jersey, part of which he built."
+
+Fran's eyes opened incredulously and Roger whistled. "Is that one
+of Bill Fish's yarns?" he demanded.
+
+"Ante-dates him," replied Win. "It's Mont Orgueil, over the other
+side of the island. Let's have a picnic there to-morrow, take our
+lunch and stay all day. Mother, you must come. Don't say you've
+promised to make calls."
+
+"I can go perfectly well," said Mrs. Thayne. "Only there is
+Roger's appointment with the dentist in the afternoon. He'll have
+to keep that, but there will be plenty of time for the picnic if
+we start early."
+
+"Think of having an outdoor picnic in December," exclaimed
+Frances. "We'll take Edith, of course."
+
+"Of course," assented her mother. "And Estelle, if she will go. I
+wish she would. She shuts herself up so closely and seems to
+shrink from seeing people, but perhaps she will go to Orgueil just
+with us."
+
+Even Edith could not persuade her sister to join the party though
+Estelle was touched by their regret, evidently genuine.
+
+"If you only would, Star," begged Edith. "You would enjoy it. You
+don't know how funny and nice they are to go with."
+
+"I couldn't, little sister," said Estelle gently. "You go and tell
+me about it afterwards."
+
+Edith was not satisfied but all persuasion proved useless. She had
+a vague idea that Star was worried. Just why, Edith did not see,
+since the plan of letting lodgings had come out so pleasantly.
+Everything was going smoothly at present; why should Star borrow
+trouble from the future?
+
+Mont Orgueil is reached by a miniature railway leading from St.
+Helier's to the fishing village of Gorey. By this time the young
+people were all well accustomed to the absurd little narrow gauge
+tramways with their leisurely trains. But if the train into St.
+Helier's crawled, the one to Gorey snailed, to quote Roger. Time
+was ample to note the pretty stuccoed houses, pink, cream or
+brown, with gardens and climbing vines that even in December made
+them spots of beauty. They passed under the frowning cliffs of
+Fort Regent and saw several lovely turquoise-blue bays with
+shining sandy beaches. Farther on farms succeeded the villas,
+stone farmhouses with tiled or thatched roofs, some with orange or
+other fruit trees trained against their southern walls. Suddenly
+Frances rose to her feet.
+
+"What on earth are those?" she demanded. "Just look at those
+cabbages on top of canes."
+
+The others looked and saw something answering exactly to Fran's
+graphic description.
+
+"Oh, yes" said Mrs. Thayne, "those are the cow cabbages of Jersey.
+They are common in the interior of the island. It's a peculiar
+kind of cabbage growing five or six feet high. The farmers pick
+the leaves on the stalk and leave just the head on top. These
+stalks are made into the canes we have seen in shops."
+
+"I saw them," said Win, "but I didn't realize what they were.
+Look, there's a Jersey cow among the cabbages."
+
+"The Jersey cattle are so pretty," said Frances admiringly.
+
+"They are very valuable," said Edith. "The farmers coddle them
+like children."
+
+Gorey proved a picturesque village with many schooners and boats
+of different kinds drawn up on the beach and in every direction
+fish nets drying. Above and behind towered the ruined castle of
+Orgueil, rising more than three hundred feet sheer from the sea.
+
+Mrs. Thayne sent Roger to find and engage a donkey which Win
+mounted without protest, after one glance at the climb before him,
+though he insisted on swinging the boxes of luncheon before him on
+the little animal's neck. Its owner was dismissed, Roger agreeing
+to pull the beast up the hill.
+
+Mont Orgueil forms the crest of a lofty conical rock and looks
+down like a grim giant upon the blue waters that stretch away to
+the coast of France. Tier after tier the fortifications mount the
+cone, crowned at the apex by a flagstaff.
+
+At the castle entrance, gained after a steady climb, a small boy
+appeared, sent by the castle keeper to act as guide. He tied the
+donkey to an iron post and led the way into the interior.
+
+"This is the oldest part," he began shyly. "They do say this tower
+was built by Julius Caesar."
+
+"Gracious, that's some story!" whistled Roger, looking with all
+his might.
+
+"I believe it is true," said Mrs. Thayne. "Win, you were reading
+about the castle before we started."
+
+"Yes," said Win. "That's straight about Caesar. That's why I
+wanted Fran to see it. And most of the place was built a thousand
+years ago. Is it ever used now!"
+
+[Illustration: ABOVE AND BEHIND TOWERED THE RUINED CASTLE OF
+ORGUEIL]
+
+"In summer the signal service is quartered here," replied the boy.
+"This is the well, ninety feet deep."
+
+As he spoke, he dropped a pebble over a low parapet. Some seconds
+later came a hollow splash.
+
+The guide showed them a cell where condemned prisoners were once
+kept, a ruined chapel with a very old crypt, and above the chapel
+a room reached by winding stairs. The girls entered with a
+simultaneous shriek of delight.
+
+"What a love of a room!" said Edith.
+
+"Mother, isn't this too sweet for words?" demanded Frances.
+
+"This is the Cupola room," explained their guide. "Charles the
+Second stopped here during his exile from England."
+
+"Prince Charles!" exclaimed Win, his imagination fired at once.
+"Oh, I read that in the guide book, but this--his room--"
+
+Win's voice trailed into silence. To read a fact in a book was
+different from standing under the very roof that had once
+sheltered bonnie Prince Charlie. He looked about him, trying to
+picture to himself those far past days.
+
+The ceiling rose in a huge dome and one immense window framed a
+wonderful view. From a little sally-port leading to a platform one
+could look sheer down to the rocks or across fourteen miles of
+tossing water to beautiful France. By using a little imagination
+the girls agreed that they could detect the spire of the cathedral
+of Coutances easily visible in clear weather.
+
+"In the French revolution the governor of Jersey signalled to the
+army of the Vendee by means of a flagpole held in place by
+chains," said Mrs. Thayne.
+
+"Yes," said their small guide. "The chains are still on the wall
+but the pole is new. The naval men use it in summer."
+
+"Do they sleep here?" asked Win.
+
+"Down in the chapel, sir."
+
+"I'd stay here," said Win. "Say, how much would you rent this room
+for?"
+
+"Three and six a week, sir, with the platform thrown in," replied
+their small guide so gravely that they all looked to see whether
+he was really in earnest.
+
+"That's cheap enough, considering the view," said Mrs. Thayne,
+smiling.
+
+Fascinated by the picturesque old castle, Win wandered off by
+himself, deciphering the inscriptions placed on the many doors.
+There is no guard in the guard-room, no stores are kept in the
+storeroom, and the chapel never hears a sermon save those preached
+by its own stones to those who have ears to hear. But the sunlight
+falling on the green platforms, the pigeons cooing on the walls,
+the blue sea stretching to the shining cliffs of France, the
+glamour of old-world romance struck impressionable Win. Dreamily
+he recalled that whether Caesar built the tower or not, no
+reasonable doubt exists that Orgueil was occupied if not built by
+the mighty Prince Rollo, grandfather of William the Conqueror.
+Over the main entrance to the castle-keep his coat of arms
+survives the centuries. For centuries to come, Orgueil will remain
+gathering more legendary charm as the slow years pass.
+
+Win shook off the feeling of awe gently creeping over him and
+joined the others, investigating a tiny cell where Prynne the
+Puritan leader was confined for three years. Roger was immensely
+impressed by the ruins of a secret staircase, connecting a dungeon
+where the criminals were executed, with the keep and sally-port.
+
+"There's a many secret stairs in the old Jersey houses,"
+volunteered their guide, noticing his interest.
+
+"Where can we see them?" demanded Roger at once, but this their
+small informer could not tell.
+
+"Gentry lives in those houses," he volunteered. "They'se not open
+to trippers."
+
+"To what?" demanded Roger.
+
+"Visitors, strangers like," explained the boy.
+
+"I like that," said Roger, flushing indignantly.
+
+"Hush, Roger," interposed his mother. "No offense was meant. What
+are these chains? They seem very old."
+
+"They were used long time ago to hang criminals. They do say they
+put 'em there alive and left 'em to the corbies."
+
+"Corbies? Oh, crows," interpreted Win. "Nice custom! Mother, look
+at the heaps of rocks exposed by the tide."
+
+"There's more this side," said their guide, turning a corner of
+the rampart with Roger close at his heels. The rest were about to
+follow when suddenly Mrs. Thayne gave an exclamation.
+
+"Listen!" she said. "That must be a skylark."
+
+From somewhere in the blue above fell a rain of happy music, so
+liquid and so sweet that it scarcely seemed to come from any
+earthly bird.
+
+"Where is it?" asked Frances excitedly, peering into the air and
+dropping on her knees the better to look up. Mrs. Thayne did the
+same and both stared into the sky, trying to detect the tiny spot
+of feathered joy, the source of all this melody. Presently Edith
+and Win joined them.
+
+Back around the corner came Roger and the guide, both stopping
+short at sight of the rest of the party down on their knees on the
+daisy-starred turf.
+
+"Whatever are they doing?" ejaculated the boy.
+
+"Oh, it's a skylark!" exclaimed Frances enthusiastically. "Come
+and see."
+
+Mouth open in amazement, their small guide stood rooted to the
+spot. "A skylark!" he muttered, staring at the four in their
+attitude of devotion. "Lookin' at a skylark!" he repeated as
+though unable to credit the testimony of his own eyes.
+
+Win burst out laughing and rose to his feet. "Take this," he said,
+producing a shilling. "Thank you for showing us about. We'll stay
+a while longer and eat lunch here."
+
+The boy pocketed the coin and withdrew, his face still a picture
+of incredulous astonishment over the actions of this singular and
+apparently insane group of excursionists. At last sight, he was
+still slowly shaking his head and murmuring, "Lookin' at a
+skylark!"
+
+[Illustration: "LOOK, THERE IS A JERSEY COW AMONG THE CABBAGES."]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+A RACE WITH THE TIDE
+
+
+After luncheon, time passed too quickly. Before it seemed
+possible, Mrs. Thayne declared the hour had come for Roger to keep
+his appointment with the dentist in St. Helier's.
+
+"Let him go alone, Mother," said Win. "He's no kid. We want you to
+stay with us."
+
+"Of course he could go alone," agreed Mrs. Thayne, "but I ought to
+consult the dentist myself and do an errand or two. There's no
+reason why you and the girls should cut short your stay. This is a
+lovely place to spend the afternoon and the day too perfect to
+hurry home. Just be back for dinner."
+
+"Let Roger return the donkey," suggested Win. "I sha'n't need him
+going down hill and very likely we shall strike across beyond the
+village."
+
+Mrs. Thayne departed, Roger clattering ahead on the donkey, and
+the three were left in the meadow by the castle entrance, a meadow
+starred with most fascinating pink-tipped English daisies.
+
+"Just see the dears and then think that it's really winter,"
+sighed Frances. "I can't believe that at home everybody is wearing
+furs and the ground is frozen. It doesn't seem possible that
+Christmas is so near."
+
+Win was lying flat on the close-cropped turf, his attitude
+indicating that he contemplated a nap. After a glance at his
+prostrate figure, the girls wandered to a little distance, seeking
+the pinkest daisies. Presently they were surprised by the sudden
+arrival of a beautiful collie, who poked a cold nose into Edith's
+face.
+
+"O-oh!" she exclaimed. "Go to Frances. She's the one who likes
+dogs. I prefer nice soft little pussy-cats."
+
+"It's the beach dog," said Frances. "Do you suppose his lady is
+with him?"
+
+Edith looked eagerly about. The elevated castle meadow commanded a
+rather extended view but in no direction was any one visible.
+
+"I don't see her anywhere. Come here, Tylo. Oh, Fran, let's read
+the plate on his collar. Perhaps it will have her name."
+
+Hot and panting from a run, Tylo willingly lay down by the girls
+and made not the least objection to having his collar examined.
+The unusually long plate bore considerable lettering.
+
+"Laurel Manor, St. Brelade's," read Frances in excitement. "Here's
+some French, Edith."
+
+"It's Italian, Fran. 'Palazzo Grassi, Via Ludovisi, Roma.' Just
+two addresses and no name!" Edith ended in disappointment.
+
+"Oh, but wait!" exclaimed Frances. The light struck the plate at
+such an angle as to make visible to her some additional lettering,
+not engraved but apparently scratched with a knife. Though small,
+the words were extremely neat and legible and the girls deciphered
+them eagerly.
+
+"Connie--her dog.
+
+"Max--his mark."
+
+"Her name must be Connie!" Edith declared, turning excited eyes
+upon her companion. "Speak, Tylo! Is your mistress called
+Constance?"
+
+Tylo vouchsafed no answer, only pricked his ears, hearing
+something inaudible to the girls. The next instant came a distinct
+though faint whistle.
+
+The beach dog departed at once, tearing down over the meadow in a
+graceful curve to leap a hedge into a shady lane beyond.
+
+"Well, we've learned a little," sighed Frances. "His mistress is
+called Connie and she lives at Laurel Manor. The rest ought to be
+easy. Let's go down to the shore. I want to explore that point of
+rocks."
+
+"But Win's asleep," said Edith hesitatingly. "Ought we to leave
+him?"
+
+"It's all right," said Frances. "He couldn't scramble on the rocks
+and it's splendid for him to sleep in this fine air. I'll leave a
+note telling him where to look for us."
+
+Edith supplied a blunt pencil and Fran wrote her message on a bit
+of paper torn from the luncheon box, pinning it carefully to her
+brother's coat where he could not fail to see it. Then they ran
+down to the cove beyond Orgueil.
+
+The water, far on the horizon, showed only as a gleaming line of
+light, leaving bare heaps and piles of rocks, inextricably turned
+on end in some prehistoric upheaval. In places the rocks were
+continuous, in others separated by spaces of wet sand.
+
+Over the rocks grew masses of vari-colored seaweed, brown, yellow,
+blue-green, even pink. Footing proved both slippery and
+treacherous, but offered the fascination of exploring an unknown
+region. As they walked farther out, curious shell-fish were
+clinging to the stone.
+
+"These are ormers and limpets," said Edith. "I saw them the day
+Nurse and I went to market. What a huge winkle!"
+
+Fran stared at this new specimen. "Is that a winkle?" she demanded
+in disgust. "I call it a plain snail. Why, all my life, I've read
+about winkles and thought I'd like to eat some but I'd die before
+I'd eat a snail. Oh! Oh! Oh!"
+
+Edith turned so quickly that she almost fell on the slippery weed.
+Frances was fairly dancing with excitement, wholly however of
+pleasure.
+
+In the hollowed rock lay a pool of clear sea water, at first sight
+filled with bright-hued flowers, pink, purple, orange. The next
+glance showed them to be living organisms.
+
+"Sea-anemones!" breathed Edith softly. "I never saw anything so
+beautiful."
+
+The anemones were pulpy brown bodies varying in size from a pea to
+a tomato. From their anchorage on the rock they stretched waving
+tentacles of soft iridescent hues, transforming the little pool
+into a marine fairyland. Between the anemones a bright yellow
+lichen-like growth almost covered the warm red granite, and tiny
+yellow, rose, and black and white striped snails were set like
+jewels on this background. Two or three sharp limpet shells waved
+feathery seaweed fans.
+
+A long time passed and the girls still lingered. They discovered
+that most of the pools boasted anemones, some not unlike an
+ordinary land daisy with light-colored tentacles stretching ray-
+shaped from a yellow centre. When touched with an empty shell, the
+anemone would close over it, folding both the shell and itself
+into a tight brown ball, then open slowly and drop the shell. The
+only food the girls had with them was some sweet chocolate, so
+they experimented with this, watching the lovely living sea-
+flowers seize upon fragments held within reach of their feelers.
+
+"I suppose it will give them frightful pains," remarked Frances at
+last, rising from her cramped position. "Goodness! the tide is
+coming!"
+
+"Yes, but it's far out," replied Edith, casting a glance at the
+line of water, still distant a full half-mile. "Look, Frances,
+here's a tiny pink crab."
+
+For a moment Frances again bent over the aquarium but soon started
+to her feet.
+
+"Let's go back, Edith. We're a long way from shore and you know
+how very fast the tide comes in."
+
+"Oh, is that crab gone? I thought you would mind where he went,"
+said Edith as she reluctantly rose. "I wanted to take him to Win."
+
+The two began to retrace their way, at first over piles of red
+rock covered with seaweed, farther on over stretches of sand
+surrounding rock islands.
+
+Just as they left the last of the solid rock a big wave came
+curling lazily along its side. For a second the water clung to it
+like fingers, then withdrew.
+
+"Fran, we must run," said Edith quietly, but her face had grown
+pale.
+
+Frances made no reply. Both ran as fast as they could across the
+stretch of level hard sand. Before they reached the first rock
+island, long fingers of foam again darted past at one side.
+
+Neither girl spoke. Automatically they seized hands and redoubled
+their efforts. One island after another was left behind, then
+Edith, looking over her shoulder, saw that the tide was gaining.
+Its next incoming heave would overtake them.
+
+"We'll have to climb these rocks!" she gasped.
+
+"_No!_" said Fran, giving her hand a tug. "Keep on. No matter if
+we do get wet. We _must_ get nearer in. These rocks will be
+covered."
+
+Edith kept pace. They seemed to have reached a higher ridge of the
+beach since presently the water, instead of pursuing directly,
+passed on either side, stretching shorewards.
+
+Too terrified to consider what this would mean when the tongues of
+water should meet before them, the girls pressed on blindly.
+
+Suddenly there came a shout from shore, now measurably nearer.
+Down the beach sped a galloping horse, his rider waving to attract
+their attention.
+
+Fran's quick wits grasped the situation. "He'll come for us!" she
+exclaimed. "He means us to climb this rock and wait."
+
+This seemed what the rider meant for as they scrambled up the
+ledge, he ceased to call and merely urged his horse to greater
+effort. Edith reached the top without accident, but Frances
+slipped and soaked both feet.
+
+The horse, a beautiful chestnut thoroughbred with tossing mane,
+came at quick speed. In the distance, his rider looked a mere boy,
+but as he approached, the girls saw that he was a young man of
+twenty-three or four, with a fine, clean-cut face, who sat his
+horse as though a part of it.
+
+Arriving by their rock, the chestnut checked himself in full
+gallop and turned almost in his stride.
+
+"Give me your hand," said the young man to Edith. "Step on my
+foot. Swing round behind me and hold on any way you can."
+
+Edith instantly obeyed. "Here," he added to Frances, "scramble up
+in front. Quick! There's no time to lose. Steady on, Saracen!" he
+added as the horse jumped and snorted at touch of the water
+curling about his heels.
+
+They were perhaps a quarter-mile from shore and the return was
+made at a fast pace, yet as they came up above tide mark, the
+waves were lapping the shingle and only a rock here and there
+remained uncovered.
+
+During the hurried trip the young man had spoken only to his
+horse, words of encouragement uttered in a pleasant voice, and
+both girls were still too stunned by the sudden peril and their
+equally sudden rescue to realize their very unconventional
+situation; Edith with both arms around the stranger, her cheek
+pressed into his shoulder; Fran sitting on the saddle-bow, held in
+position by his left arm while his right hand clasped the reins.
+
+Once in safety, Saracen stopped of his own accord, looking around
+as though, now the hurry was over, he would like to know what sort
+of unaccustomed load he had been carrying.
+
+"Right we are!" said the young man cheerily. "Now I wonder if you
+can slide down."
+
+Still speechless, Frances did so. The young man swung himself from
+the saddle and turned to lift Edith from her perch as though she
+was a little child. Again on firm ground, she began to utter
+incoherent thanks.
+
+[Illustration: "HE'LL COME FOR US! HE MEANS US TO CLIMB THIS ROCK
+AND WAIT"]
+
+"I think you must be strangers to the island," he said rather
+gravely, "else you would know that the Jersey tides come in as
+rapidly as they ebb. This isn't a safe coast to experiment with."
+
+"It was the anemones," began Frances. "We never saw any before and
+forgot to watch the water."
+
+The young man smiled. "Those anemones!" he said. "I was once in a
+similar fix for the same reason. Better remember that the only
+safe time to watch sea anemones is when the tide is just going
+out. There's a place up here where the farmer's wife is a friend
+of mine. I think you'd better let me take you over to Mother Trott
+and she'll dry you out."
+
+"I'm not wet," said Edith. "Frances fell, that's why she's
+drippy."
+
+"Oh, but Win!" Frances exclaimed. "He'll find that note saying
+we're on the rocks and he'll see the water and be frightened. My
+brother," she added to the stranger, who was looking at her
+inquiringly. "He's in the meadow."
+
+The young man's clear gray eyes grew rather stern. "And what is
+this brother doing while his little sister gets into danger?" he
+asked.
+
+"Oh, it's not his fault. He was asleep and he _mustn't_ be
+frightened," Fran began. She spoke rapidly, her explanation
+banishing from the inquirer's face all look of disapproval.
+
+"I'll go and tell Win," said Edith. "I'm not a bit wet. You go on
+to the farm, Frances. Which house is it?"
+
+"Do you see the long low one with the vines about half a mile up
+the hill?" replied their rescuer. "That's it."
+
+"If Win's still asleep, for goodness' sake don't wake him,"
+directed Frances as Edith set off toward the castle. "Perhaps I
+can get dry and be there before he need know what has happened."
+
+"Would you be willing to ride in front of me again, Miss Frances?"
+asked the young man, as Edith vanished around the wall. "We could
+reach the farm much more quickly."
+
+Without demur, Frances consented. She felt queerly shaken and ill
+and to her consternation, as Saracen crossed the highroad and
+entered the farm lane, a sudden burst of sobs overcame her. She
+struggled bravely to control herself.
+
+"That was a beastly experience," said the pleasant voice, "but you
+were so near shore when Saracen and I saw you, that you'd probably
+have made it with merely a wetting."
+
+"We haven't really thanked you," said Frances incoherently. "I do
+--so much--Mother--"
+
+"Thank Saracen. He did it. It's nothing at all, and you mustn't
+let it trouble you. Hello, Tylo. Been off again on your own?"
+
+Obedient to touch, his horse stopped at the cottage gate. Frances
+slid from her perch and the young man dismounted, throwing the
+reins to the beach dog, whose sudden reappearance did not surprise
+nor interest Frances, as ordinarily it would have done.
+
+"Come round to the back," said her companion, opening the gate.
+"Mother Trott will probably be in her kitchen. She'll put you to
+rights in no time. No mess too bad for her to take on."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+MR. MAX
+
+
+Frances accompanied her guide along a pebbled path neatly edged
+with big scallop-shells measuring fully six inches across. Beside
+the walk stretched garden borders still gay with geraniums,
+japonicas and other hardy plants in full bloom. As they passed the
+front door of the cottage with its whitewashed steps gleaming in
+the afternoon sun, a roughly outlined heart surrounding some
+initials caught Frances' attention. The design was carved in the
+stone top of the door-frame and looked very old.
+
+"That's a pretty custom of the island," said her companion,
+noticing Fran's glance. "The people who first made a home had
+their initials cut over the door. Many of the Jersey farmhouses
+have several sets of initials on the door-stones."
+
+Around the corner of the house lay a neat kitchen garden full of
+vegetables in thrifty green rows, a patch of the curious cabbages
+and in a field just over a fence, was tethered a pretty, soft-eyed
+Jersey cow. Beside the entrance stood a bench glittering with
+shiny copper pails and milk-cans.
+
+Without stopping to knock, the young man stepped directly into a
+clean, low-ceiled kitchen, where white sand was scattered on the
+stone floor.
+
+"Are you there, Mrs. Trott?" he inquired.
+
+Hastily setting down the pan of potatoes she was peeling, a
+pleasant-looking stout woman rose to her feet with a curtsy.
+
+"If it isn't Mr. Max!" she exclaimed, her voice expressing both
+surprise and delight.
+
+"And as usual seeking help, Mrs. Trott. This young lady, Miss
+Frances, has been unlucky enough to be overtaken by the tides--"
+
+"Poor dear!" interrupted Mrs. Trott. "Bess!" she called, "come you
+down. Ah, 'tis the tides that make the Jersey heartaches. Ye did
+quite right to bring her, Mr. Max. Bess, be quick!"
+
+A rosy-cheeked girl of seventeen came clattering down the tiny
+stair, to smile at the visitors and drop an awkward, blushing
+curtsy to each.
+
+"Why, Bess, you're quite grown up," said the young man, smiling
+back at her.
+
+"A year does make a differ, sir," said Mrs. Trott. "Lead the young
+leddy up the stair, Bess, and dry her feet and give her your
+Sunday socks and shoon. Mr. Max, you'll drink tea? Sure, now, and
+taste my fresh wonders. The young leddy'll be down directly and a
+cup of tea will set her up."
+
+"Indeed, I could do with some tea, Mrs. Trott, and I've not had
+any wonders since--"
+
+Frances did not hear the end of the sentence for she was following
+Bess up the narrow, winding stone stairs to emerge in a little
+room with slanting caves and dormer windows in its thatched roof.
+The place was bare but spotlessly clean and through the open
+western casement shimmered the blue sea.
+
+"Sit down, Miss," said Bess in a soft voice with curious musical
+intonations that made up for imperfect pronunciation.
+
+With a sigh of relief, Frances sank into the straight chair. The
+reaction from her late adventure was still upon her. Before she
+knew what was happening, Bess approached with a basin of water and
+a towel, and knelt to unfasten the soaked shoes.
+
+"Oh, I can do that for myself," Frances protested with the
+independence of an American girl.
+
+"Sit ye still, Miss," said Bess pleasantly. "'Tis bad for the
+nerves to race the tides. It shakes one a good bit."
+
+Her deft fingers made short work of their task. Presently, Frances
+was comfortable in white cotton stockings and black slippers far
+too large and wide.
+
+"Twill serve," said Bess, smiling at the way they slid around on
+Fran's slender feet. "Dry at least. Now come ye down and drink
+your tea. 'Tis not lately we've seen Mr. Max. Mother'll be rarely
+pleased."
+
+Frances had it on her tongue's end to inquire into the identity of
+her rescuer, but the difficulty of keeping on those heavy leather
+shoes with their big silver buckles distracted her attention. She
+came carefully down the stair to find Mr. Max seated on the big
+black oak settle, his hat and riding-crop beside him and Mrs.
+Trott arranging her table before the fire.
+
+"Come, Miss, to your tea," she exclaimed. "Bess, fetch the cream."
+
+Frances tried to protest, feeling already under great obligations
+to these total strangers, but Mr. Max promptly rose to give her a
+seat.
+
+"Tea will do you good, Miss Frances," he said with a most engaging
+smile. "Try Mrs. Trott's wonders. Have you ever eaten a Jersey
+wonder?"
+
+"It looks like a doughnut," said Frances, taking a fried cake from
+the proffered plate.
+
+A sudden, mischievous grin crossed the young man's face. "A plain
+New England doughnut disguised by an old-world name," he said.
+
+"New England!" repeated Frances, stopping with the cake halfway to
+her mouth. "How do you know about New England doughnuts?"
+
+Mr. Max seated himself, looking boyishly amused.
+
+  "'Land where our fathers died,
+    Land of the Pilgrims' pride,'"
+
+he quoted, seriously enough but with gray eyes dancing with fun.
+"Oh, I know the whole thing. Shall we sing it together?"
+
+"Are you really an American?" Frances demanded in utter amazement.
+"Then how--what--You don't talk--But that accounts for it."
+
+She stopped, feeling suddenly shy of questioning him. "Well," she
+added after a second, "that's the reason I didn't feel a bit
+strange about coming with you. It seemed all right--just as though
+you were somebody I knew."
+
+"Thank you, Miss Frances," said her companion. "That is a very
+lovely way to express your appreciation. Yes, we are fellow-
+countrymen, though I have spent much of my life in Europe. In
+fact, my first visit to the United States was when I was around
+your age. Since then I've put in four years at Yale and one in
+Washington. Now, I'm attached to the American Embassy in Paris and
+came over here to spend the Christmas holidays with old friends.
+Jersey has seen me many times before this. That's how I happen to
+know about the sea anemones and the tides."
+
+Mrs. Trott came bustling back with jam, followed by Bess with a
+covered jar. "And how's Miss Connie?" she inquired.
+
+"She seems very well," replied Mr. Max. "Your tea is as good as
+ever, Mrs. Trott. Clotted cream, Bess? You know my weak spots,
+don't you?"
+
+"They do be saying that the Colonel fails since his lady died,"
+went on Mrs. Trott, regarding her table anxiously. "Couldn't you
+fancy an egg now, Mr. Max, or a bit of bacon?" as he raised a
+protesting hand.
+
+Frances also declined. She did not feel hungry but after Mrs.
+Trott had brought water to dilute the strong tea, she drank it
+willingly.
+
+Neither did Mr. Max eat enough to satisfy his hostess. After a few
+moments he rose and looked at his watch.
+
+"I think I'll ride over to the Manor and exchange Saracen for
+another horse and the trap and give myself the pleasure if I may,
+Miss Frances, of driving you and the others back to St. Aubin's.
+Your boots will hardly be dry for you to wear on the train. I'd
+really like to do so," he added, seeing that Frances looked
+disturbed. "You know it is the business of the American Embassy to
+look after its fellow countrymen in a foreign land, so this is
+only my plain duty."
+
+"Best let him, Miss," said Mrs. Trott approvingly. "Mr. Max do
+always take thought for others. But where happens Miss Connie to-
+day?"
+
+"Oh, Miss Connie's gone to a tea-fight of some kind," replied Mr.
+Max, giving Frances another mischievous glance. "She said I
+couldn't go, so I annexed her dog and her father's horse and went
+out on my own. I shall be back before long."
+
+Frances gave an anxious thought to Edith, concluded that she
+probably found Win asleep and was following instructions not to
+wake him. This conjecture proved correct for Edith soon came
+hurrying down the path.
+
+"I took the first note and left one saying we were at this
+cottage," she explained. "Are you all right, Fran? Do you think
+you've caught a chill?"
+
+Frances explained that they were to be driven home and Mrs. Trott
+pressed tea and wonders upon Edith, who accepted both gratefully.
+
+"Is it far to the Manor--to where Mr. Max is going?" Frances
+inquired of Mrs. Trott.
+
+"Not for a good horse, Miss, though 'tis beyond St. Aubin's. I'm
+thinking you must have marked the place, a big old stone house
+with many a laurel tree about it and open to the cliffs beyond."
+
+"Oh, we know it," said Fran eagerly. "There are iron gates with a
+coat of arms and the grounds are lovely."
+
+"That's Laurel Manor, Miss," assented Mrs. Trott.
+
+The girls looked at each other in delight. In one afternoon they
+had learned where lived the mistress of the beach dog and what her
+name.
+
+"'Tis good to lay eyes on Mr. Max again," Mrs. Trott went on. "A
+pity he and Miss Connie couldn't content themselves with each
+other. 'Tis not to our liking to have our young leddy takin' up
+with a foreign prince."
+
+"Oh, please tell us about it," demanded Frances. "We met Miss
+Connie on the beach and we think she's perfectly lovely. Is she
+really to marry a prince?"
+
+"He's not a prince of a royal house," replied Mrs. Trott. "He's an
+Eyetalian and in that country, they tell me, there's a different
+kind of royalty. I don't rightly know, Miss, but I'm thinking they
+are Romish princes."
+
+"Is Miss Connie marrying a Catholic?" inquired Edith in great
+interest.
+
+"That's the question," said Mrs. Trott, reflectively resting both
+hands on the table. "I could see Mr. Max didn't want to talk, but
+we hear considerable through the housekeeper at the Manor. This
+young man that they say Miss Connie's tokened to is the son of one
+of these princes. But his mother was an Englishwoman and a
+Protestant and so when two boys had been baptized as Catholics,
+the third son,--Miss Connie's young man,--was brought up in his
+mother's faith, our English church.
+
+"I suppose," Mrs. Trott went on meditatively, "they thought he'd
+never succeed to his father's title and position, bein' the third
+son. But the oldest, Prince Santo-Ponte, or some title like that,
+was killed in a motor mishap--they say he was racin' something
+shameful,--and soon the next brother died of pneumonia. So that
+leaves the Protestant son the heir. And the story is that he's to
+be made to turn Catholic."
+
+"But they can't make him if he won't," protested the shocked
+Edith. Both she and Frances were listening eagerly to this
+romantic story. Their wildest flights of imagination concerning
+Miss Connie fell short of the truth,--if this was truth.
+
+"I don't know, Miss, I don't know," said Mrs. Trott doubtfully.
+"Turn the young leddy's boots, Bess,--don't ye scent the smell o'
+scorchin'? 'Tis hard on the poor fellow. There's his father urgin'
+him to do it for the sake of the family, and there's a title and a
+great fortune waitin' when he does. They'll be tellin' him it's
+his duty as they tell't the Princess Alix, own granddaughter of
+Queen Victoria, when she married with the Czar of all the Russias.
+'Twas the Greek church she went over to."
+
+"But will Miss Connie marry the prince if he does give up his own
+church?" asked Edith eagerly.
+
+Again Mrs. Trott shook her head. "There's no mention of any
+weddin'," she admitted, "and it may be they're not even tokened,
+but the prince has been visitin' a sight of times at the Manor.
+Now, I'm thinkin' it's a good sign Mr. Max is here again. The
+Colonel, Miss Connie's father, loves him like a son. Why, he and
+Miss Connie grew up together, brother and sister-wise. The way of
+it was that Mr. Max's mother died when he was but a tiny and Mrs.
+Lisle, Miss Connie's mother, about took him for her own. He's fair
+lived with them. Many's the time he and Miss Connie have run in
+here for their tea or to dry their feet. You see I was parlor-maid
+at the Manor before I married Trott. That was when Mr. Eichard was
+living Miss Connie's brother. He was near fifteen years older and
+he died in South Africa, poor lad! Ah, when he was killed it nigh
+broke the Colonel's heart. Well, I've often helped out at the
+Manor when extra service was needed. Far rather would I see Miss
+Connie wedded to Mr. Max."
+
+"But how did Miss Connie happen to know the prince?" asked
+Frances.
+
+"In Rome. Till her mother died, they spent part of every winter
+there, but the Colonel can't bear the place now and they stop here
+the season. I keep hopin' Mr. Max will get her yet. Such a pretty
+well-mannered boy he always was and never above passin' a friendly
+word with us all.
+
+"I suppose," Mrs. Trott concluded, "when you come to think of it,
+Mr. Max is a foreigner, too, but the best I can say is that he's
+just like an honest English gentleman."
+
+Frances flushed, choking back a hot comment. She had so quickly
+felt a bond of kinship with this young American. Yet, in spite of
+her momentary anger, she realized that Mrs. Trott was paying the
+highest compliment in her power. Well, pride in her own country
+could teach Frances to value like loyalty in another.
+
+"What is his other name?" she inquired.
+
+"I couldn't rightly tell you, Miss. He was but a wee lad when he
+first came to the Manor. He calls the Colonel, uncle, and we
+forget he isn't really of the family. Yet his father has been
+here, too. He's famous for something very wise indeed. Could I
+speak the name, you might know, for he's well-spoken of outside
+our island."
+
+At this moment, Win appeared, strolling up the lane and looking
+annoyed to find the girls so far in the opposite direction from
+the railway. Nor did his vexation lessen on hearing their
+adventures, softened and smoothed though the version was. In fact,
+self-controlled Win was inclined to be decidedly cross and to
+disapprove emphatically acceptances of further favors from a
+stranger. Fran was still arguing when a smartly-appointed trap
+drawn by a shiny horse turned into the lane.
+
+"Now, you can see for yourself," declared Fran. "He's an American
+and a gentleman and it's all right for us to let him drive us
+home."
+
+"As if we couldn't hire a carriage in Gorey," Win retorted, but
+with a second glance at the driver, his attention was distracted.
+
+"Oh-h!" he said in perplexity, "that's the fellow who was in the
+Royal Square that morning. Now, where in the wide world have I
+seen him before?"
+
+Thinking hard, Win stared with puckered brows. Suddenly his face
+cleared. "Why, he's that young chap Father introduced me to the
+time he took me to Washington," he said accusingly to Fran. "Why
+didn't you tell me?"
+
+"How on earth could I know?" demanded Fran, but her brother had
+turned with a smile to greet the trap just drawing up by the gate.
+Mr. Max looked at Win with a puzzled glance which gradually
+changed to a look of recognition.
+
+"I do know you, don't I?" he said. "Well, I never suspected when I
+was detailed to entertain Captain Thayne's son for an hour or so,
+that we'd meet again in Gorey village. Why, that makes us old
+friends!"
+
+Win grasped the cordially offered hand and having bestowed Edith
+and Frances in the seat behind, climbed up beside Max, his face
+beaming. With many thanks to Mrs. Trott and promises to come
+again, they drove off.
+
+"Hasn't this been the most exciting afternoon?" Frances confided
+to Edith. "We've learned the collie lady's name and met the boy
+she told us of, and heard about her Italian prince. Look at Win!
+He's crushed on Mr. Max,--I can tell by the way he's looking at
+him. I should think Miss Connie would much rather marry an
+American."
+
+"Perhaps he hasn't asked her," said Edith sensibly. "Perhaps, if
+she really is engaged to the prince, she did it before Mr. Max
+came back from America and he couldn't help himself because it was
+too late."
+
+Max's back did not look as though it belonged to a specially
+unhappy person and the expression of his face as he talked
+pleasantly with Win was not that of a young man whose enjoyment in
+life has been seriously darkened, but it pleased the girls to
+fancy him as a blighted being, so keenly had Mrs. Trott's rather
+injudicious confidences appealed to their youthful ideas of
+romance.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+RICHARD LISLE'S LETTER
+
+
+"Why, I've met Miss Lisle several times," said Mrs. Thayne after
+hearing Fran's account of the exciting end of the picnic. "She's a
+charming girl and her father is the finest type of an English
+gentleman. At the lawn party this afternoon she spoke of meeting
+two girls on the beach and asked if one wasn't my daughter."
+
+"Oh, I do hope I can know her," said Frances happily. "I think
+she's the sweetest thing I ever saw. But, Mother, do you suppose
+what Mrs. Trott said about her and the Italian prince is true?"
+
+"That was a bit of gossip which Mrs. Trott should not have
+repeated to girls of your age," commented her mother, "but since
+you have heard it, I suppose it will do no harm to say that Prince
+Santo-Ponte undoubtedly does visit at the Manor, though I do not
+believe that any engagement exists between him and Miss Lisle. As
+for Mr. Max, as you call him, his father is Professor Rodney
+Hamilton, the noted scientist. Max has been much with the Lisles
+and to all purposes is the son of the house."
+
+"The day when I really meet Miss Connie will be the happiest of my
+life," declared Frances solemnly. Later, her amused mother learned
+that Edith was equally smitten.
+
+In his quiet way, Win was most anxious to see more of Max and it
+was partly with this wish in mind that he set off one morning
+shortly after the picnic at Orgueil, to stroll on the road leading
+past the Manor. On so pleasant a day he might encounter the young
+people riding or walking.
+
+When Win reached the Manor gates, no one was in sight, and he
+sauntered past, not caring to intrude on private grounds. One
+longing glance he cast at the chimneys above the laurels, twelve
+that he could count from that angle. What a rambling old structure
+the Manor house must be! Surely in its existence stretching back
+through the centuries, many interesting things had happened under
+that roof. What fun it would be to try to find them out!
+
+Absorbed in pleasant thought, Win walked farther than he realized,
+lured by the blue sea and a most interesting little church almost
+on the water's edge. The doors proved locked, but Win resolved to
+come again when he could gain admittance, for from outward
+appearance the building was extremely old.
+
+On turning, Win was soon aware that he had overtaxed his strength
+and was in no shape to walk to St. Aubin's. Pleasant as the sky
+still was, a strong sea breeze had risen, bringing difficulties
+for a person who required very favorable conditions for any
+prolonged exercise. Only slow progress was possible and when he
+again reached the iron gates of the Manor, he was really too tired
+to go on. Choosing the sunny slope of the hedge, he sat down to
+rest.
+
+Before long, voices approached on the other side of the laurels,
+voices speaking in French, and Max came through the arch,
+accompanied by a gardener carrying tools.
+
+"Why, Win," he said. "You're not stopping at the gate, I hope. The
+house is just beyond."
+
+[Illustration: A MOST INTERESTING LITTLE CHURCH ALMOST ON THE
+WATER'S EDGE.]
+
+Win smiled. "I sat down to get my breath," he explained. "I've
+been for a stroll and the wind knocked me about a trifle."
+
+Max looked at him keenly. "It's a bit cool to stop there," he
+said. "Come up to the house. We'll slip into the library and you
+can rest properly."
+
+Win demurred, thinking he would detain Max from his business.
+
+"Uncle only asked me to direct Pierre about some planting around
+the cottages," Max replied. He added some words in French to his
+companion, who nodded and struck off toward the shore. "I'll not
+stop for you," Max went on, taking Win's arm. "There isn't a
+person at home, and you will have the library to yourself."
+
+Win yielded at once. Aside from the pleasure of seeing Max again,
+the suggestion of books acted as a magnet.
+
+They crossed the beautiful Manor lawn,--green as in June,--not
+toward the main entrance but in the direction of some big French
+windows opening on the terrace. The casement yielded to Max's
+touch and the two entered a room that would have made Win gasp
+with pleasure had he been less exhausted. He received only the
+impression of spacious beauty and countless books, as he was
+established on a big old settle beside a fireplace where cheery
+flames were flashing. Before he knew precisely what was happening,
+Win found himself tucked among comfortable cushions.
+
+"There, go to sleep now," said Max, flinging over him a soft blue
+Italian blanket. "I've an idea this thing belongs in Connie's
+room, but since she left it here we will make use of it. There's
+no one at home and the only person likely to come is Yvonne, one
+of the maids. If she appears to look after the fire, just tell her
+you are my friend."
+
+Max departed and Win soon fell into a reverie. He did not sleep
+immediately but as his physical discomfort lessened under the
+influence of rest and quiet, he began to look about him.
+
+The three rooms composing the library were very high and opened
+into one another by arches. From floor to ceiling the books
+climbed, rank on rank, on the upper shelves in double tiers, in
+some places overflowing window seats. Narrow stained-glass
+casements threw pleasant patches of color on the polished floor.
+Age had blackened the oak ceiling and the handsome wall paneling
+where books did not conceal it. Here and there hung portraits,
+evidently of the family, judging from certain recurring
+resemblances. Their quaint costumes dated from the days of the
+Stuart kings.
+
+The utter quiet of the place, the time-faded bindings, the old
+pictures, the spots of crimson and blue light, the faint odor of
+leather, mingled with the scent of fresh flowers from some
+invisible source, all had their effect upon Win, who sank into a
+state of mind where he was neither awake nor quite asleep. His
+last wholly conscious thought was for the curious coat of arms
+above the fireplace, a shield that bore the date 1523.
+
+An hour later, Win came to full consciousness and at the same time
+to a sense of familiarity with his surroundings. "Of all queer
+things!" he thought as he sat up and looked around him. "The first
+day I was in Jersey I dreamed of this room or of some room like
+it. That man up there in the picture is mighty like the old Johnny
+that was around. I've been dreaming about him now, only I can't
+remember what."
+
+Try as he might, Win could not recall that dream, a fantastic
+jumble of persons and an impression, almost painful, of a
+fruitless search.
+
+"This is a house where anything might have happened," his thoughts
+ran. "How I wish I could have a chance at these books!"
+
+Shelves framed even the ancient fireplace, their contents within
+easy reach of Win's settle. His eye ran idly along the titles, a
+History of the World, an edition of Defoe, some old hour-books.
+Tucked in with these were two volumes of very modern philosophy,
+their bright cloth bindings looking curiously out of place. With
+their exception, nothing in sight looked less than a century old
+and examination proved most to be even older. Many bore marks of
+ownership by Lisles dead and gone.
+
+His enthusiasm thoroughly aroused, Win examined volume after
+volume, lingering over the quaint bookplates. Finally he took down
+a book unlettered on the back, but with a rubbed leather binding
+that showed marks of use. It proved a very old copy of the Psalms,
+a book that some one had once read often, for its pages were worn
+not only by time but by constant turning.
+
+Opening to the front, Win searched for a bookplate. There was
+none, but in fine handwriting appeared: "Richard Lisle His Valued
+Book." As Win replaced the volume a paper slipped from its pages.
+
+Picking it up, he glanced idly at the single sheet which seemed a
+page perhaps lost from some letter written long before, possibly a
+leaf from a diary. The penmanship was like the autograph in the
+Psalter, the ink, though faded, perfectly legible on the yellowed
+paper.
+
+The extract began in the middle of a sentence. Win, who started to
+decipher it from mere curiosity, ended by reading it five or six
+times. It ran as follows:
+
+"having fed my Prince and Eased him after his hard Flight we took
+Counsel anent his Refuge.
+
+"That he should lye at ye Manor looked not wise. Ye Castel seemed
+ye better Place.
+
+"Lest he be curiously viewed of Many we did furnishe Other garb
+and a Strong Bigge Cloake. And those who knew did safely lead him
+through ye Towne.
+
+"Ye honoured Relicks my Sonne and I did place in ye Spanish Chest
+and convey by Lantern light to that safe Place beyond ye Walls. So
+shall they Reste till happier Times shall Dawne.
+
+"Strange that this Day should bring such Honour to Mine House."
+
+Win's eyes grew interested and excited as he studied this message
+from the past. For whom was it meant and why had it lain all these
+years in the old Psalter? Did the Manor family know of its
+existence? The prince, the castle, the town, mentioned by a Lisle
+of Laurel Manor, must refer to events of island history.
+
+After thinking a few minutes, Win drew out his notebook and made a
+careful copy. Surely that was not abusing Max's hospitality and
+could do no harm. If he discovered anything interesting in looking
+up the matter in some history of Jersey at the public library, he
+would share his knowledge. Or there surely must be books of that
+kind here at the Manor. Perhaps he would be permitted to come
+again and investigate this fascinating room more thoroughly. He
+wished he knew Max better. If he only did, he could show his find
+at once and ask for an opinion. Well, that might come later.
+Anyway, it would be great fun to study the enigmatic paper and see
+what he could make of it.
+
+When Max came quietly a few minutes later, Win made no mention of
+his discovery. Surprised to find it so late, he thanked his host,
+and declared himself entirely fit to walk back to Rose Villa.
+
+"Come again," said Max as they parted at the gates. "I know you
+liked the library and that will please Uncle Dick. You must come
+when he's at home and he'll show you all his special treasures."
+
+Win went on with a happy face. That meant he would certainly have
+another opportunity to browse in that fascinating old book-room,
+and perhaps become so well acquainted with the Manor family that
+he could share his puzzle with somebody who would be equally
+interested in finding out what it meant.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+CHRISTMAS IN JERSEY
+
+
+Fran's "happiest day" soon dawned, for not long after the Orgueil
+picnic, she and Edith were walking down one of Jersey's lovely
+lanes. Enclosed by high ivy-covered earthen banks, it ran, a
+straight white road between green walls, and so narrow that at
+regular intervals, little bays were provided that carriages might
+pass. Evergreen oaks, often growing from the banks themselves, and
+drooping vines made the lane a bower of beauty even on a December
+afternoon. The girls had stopped to admire the old Norman gateway
+leading to Vinchelez Manor, when suddenly around a corner, bounced
+the beach dog. Close behind came Constance Lisle and Maxfield
+Hamilton.
+
+[Illustration: THE OLD NORMAN GATEWAY LEADING TO VINCHELEZ MANOR]
+
+"We've been to call on your respective mother and sister,"
+declared Connie, "and were desolated not to find the little ladies.
+What luck to meet you! Max, you don't need an introduction, do
+you, after playing Lord Lochinvar with both girlsat once?"
+
+At this sweeping characterization, they all laughed and walked
+along together, Tylo galloping ahead or falling behind as his
+sweet will led.
+
+"I'm giving a treat to the Sunday-school children after
+Christmas," Connie confided, as at the end of a brisk walk, they
+came to the parting of the ways. "I should like you girls, if you
+will, to help me with the kiddies. The brothers are invited too,
+if they would fancy it."
+
+"Win would like to help," Frances said quickly, her face lighted
+with pleasure at this request. "He's very good at things like
+that, but Roger's only twelve, you know."
+
+"Oh, Roger can hand buns," said Connie at once. "No harm if he
+does tread on a few. I shall count on you then next week Thursday,
+three days after Christmas. Take care not to stir abroad on
+Christmas eve for that's when the Jersey witches hold their
+meeting at the rock up by St. Clement's."
+
+She waved a laughing adieu and the girls went back to Rose Villa,
+bubbling over with pleasure and anticipation.
+
+It was fortunate for Frances that she did have this expectation of
+a visit to the Manor to buoy her spirits, for the season scarcely
+seemed Christmas. Warm weather and plentiful flowers did not
+appeal to one accustomed to the holiday in wintry Boston, but not
+the weather alone disturbed Fran. For some foolish reason she
+disliked intensely the differences of celebration that marked this
+holiday in another land. Her state of mind both worried and
+distressed Mrs. Thayne.
+
+"Why, little daughter, don't you see the fun of having Christmas
+under strange conditions?" she asked one evening, when she went to
+investigate a sound of woe from Fran's room.
+
+"No, I don't see any fun in it," replied Frances stubbornly. "I
+could stand Thanksgiving, even though I had to go to school,
+because Miss Estelle knew it was an important day to us and had a
+turkey for dinner and put little American flags around. But
+Christmas here in St. Aubin's, without Father, is too impossible."
+
+Mrs. Thayne was silent for a moment. Then she sat down on the bed
+and took Frances in her arms.
+
+"Listen, now," she said. "I want you to think about somebody else
+for a moment. There's Edith. Just remember how sad this season
+must be for her and Estelle. Yet Estelle goes about with a smiling
+face that gives me a heartache because her eyes are so pitiful.
+She's planning hard to make things pleasant for us and to have it
+seem Christmas to Edith. I know some of her plans, Fran. Then,
+even if Father isn't with us, we know he is well and that it is
+only a question of time before the _Philadelphia_ is where we can
+be nearer. Win is always self-controlled and naturally he and
+Roger don't miss the home conditions as you do, but their
+enjoyment is going to depend largely upon their sister. Why, Fran,
+you usually like new experiences and here they are looming thick
+and fast."
+
+"That's just the trouble," sobbed Fran. "I don't want them all
+piled on top of Christmas. I want to be with Grandmother and the
+cousins. I can't believe it is Christmas when it's so green and so
+hot."
+
+"Many nice things are going to happen," her mother went on. "Just
+think what fun you and Edith will have helping Miss Connie with
+her school treat. You are going to find that very English."
+
+Frances smiled. "Oh, I won't be a pig, Mother," she said at last.
+"Miss Connie is a dear and of course we must make the boys have a
+nice time."
+
+"The climate agrees so well with Win that I am very thankful to
+spend Christmas here," replied Mrs. Thayne. "To-morrow, Nurse is
+going into town to the French market and I think you will like to
+go with her."
+
+Win and Edith joined the marketing expedition next morning and
+even Frances was impressed with the holiday spirit overhanging the
+place. They left Nurse carefully inspecting fat geese in a
+poulterer's stall and started to explore.
+
+Any number of plump chickens and ducks hung about, together with
+little pigs decorated by blue rosettes on their ears, a touch that
+struck Win as extremely funny. In the vegetable market were heaped
+huge piles of potatoes, scrubbed till their pink skins shone,
+great ropes of red onions braided together by their dried tops,
+turnips, artichokes, garlic, winter squashes, white and purple
+cabbages, celery and egg plant and many varieties of greens and
+early vegetables. The stalls themselves were prettily arranged and
+fragrant with nice smells but their keepers were the great
+attraction. Many were in charge of old women dressed in white
+peasant caps and clean starched aprons above full wool skirts and
+wooden sabots. Little tow-headed grandchildren, comical replicas
+in miniature, smiled shyly or dropped bobbing curtsys as the girls
+stopped to speak.
+
+Fruit stalls proved even more fascinating with the hothouse
+grapes, red, white, and dark purple, showing a hazy bloom. Fresh
+figs and dates abounded, alternating with baskets of Italian
+chestnuts and oranges, forty for a shilling. Every stall seemed to
+have vied in decorations with its neighbor, being bowers of myrtle
+and laurestinus. One sported a shield showing three leopards in
+daffodils against a green background.
+
+"Look at the English coat of arms," said Frances, catching sight
+of it.
+
+"That's not English," said Edith. "Those are the leopards of
+Jersey, the old Norman insignia."
+
+"I can't understand," observed Frances as they sauntered on, "why,
+when Jersey belongs to England, it has a different coat of arms
+and government and everything."
+
+"Because the islands are all little self-governing communities,"
+supplied Win. "It's a privilege they have always had, and even
+England wouldn't dare take it from them now. Jersey is desperately
+jealous of Guernsey. They say that even a Jersey toad will die if
+it is taken to Guernsey."
+
+"Neither will Guernsey flowers blossom here," Edith added. "Oh,
+there's Miss Connie!"
+
+The little lady of Laurel Manor was standing before one of the
+flower-stalls, chatting in French with a very clean, rosy-cheeked
+old woman in a white cap. Behind Constance stood a servant
+carrying a basket and as the girls watched she purchased an
+enormous bunch of daffodils, a sheaf of calla lilies, and a
+quantity of narcissus.
+
+"Isn't she sweet in that soft green suit," commented Edith
+admiringly.
+
+Turning from the stall, Connie saw and hailed them. "Have you seen
+the fish-market?" she asked after greeting them gayly. "Oh, you
+must not miss that. I always go there."
+
+She led them past a long bench where sat several nice white-capped
+old women beside huge baskets of spotlessly washed eggs or round
+rolls of fresh, unsalted butter wrapped in cool green cabbage
+leaves. Some of them nodded and smiled and once Connie stopped to
+ask after a sick child. Everybody spoke in French and seemed most
+kind and cordial.
+
+Arrived at the fish-market, conger eels as big as Win's wrist, and
+four or five feet long, crabs two feet across the shells, lobsters
+blue rather than green, enormous scallops, huge stacks of oysters,
+cockles and snails, the so-called winkles, greeted the astonished
+eyes of the young people. In other directions were heaped piles of
+smelts, plaice and unknown fish.
+
+"These are what I dote on," said Constance, calling their
+attention to piles of tiny crabs, neatly tied by the claws into
+bunches. Most were alive, but owing to the fact that all chose to
+walk in different directions, the bunches remained fairly
+stationary. One might purchase two, four, six or a dozen,
+according to the size of one's appetite.
+
+"I'm so glad we met," said Connie, when in addition they had made
+the round of the flower market and exclaimed over its treasures of
+color and fragrance. "I thought of you this morning and wondered
+if you young people wouldn't like to help decorate the church.
+There are never too many helpers and we have ordered such lovely
+greens and flowers. Several of us are to be at the church at two
+this afternoon and you'll be very welcome if you care to come.
+It's pretty work and we always have a nice time."
+
+"Indeed, we should like to help," said Frances promptly. "Is it
+Mr. Angus's church at St. Aubin's?"
+
+"No, the one I mean is a tiny stone church not far beyond the
+Manor. Just take the highroad inland from the village and turn
+once to the left,"
+
+"Oh, I know," said Win quickly. "It stands almost on the shore."
+
+"That's it," said Connie. "I'll expect you then."
+
+Win declared himself quite equal to helping with the decorations
+that afternoon. When they arrived, the beach dog lay in the porch,
+thumping his tail by way of welcome, so they knew his mistress was
+already within. For a few moments, the three lingered to look at
+the quaint French inscriptions on the churchyard stones, but
+finally entered rather shyly. They were not given one moment to
+feel themselves strangers.
+
+"I'm delighted to see you," exclaimed Constance, coming down the
+aisle with a long vine trailing after. "So glad you came. Rose,"
+she called to a pretty young girl working near by, "here are some
+helpers for your windows. Oh, you know Rose LeCroix, don't you?
+She goes to your school. Win," she added quickly, "won't you come
+and help struggle with this tiresome pulpit?"
+
+Win followed at once, glad to see Max already busy over the
+designated task, but Constance sent him to seek a certain wire
+frame reputed to exist in the sacristy. Win found himself twining
+myrtle wreaths around the pillars of the stone pulpit, yet
+stealing constant glances at the interior of the old church.
+
+Part of it was very ancient, with round Norman pillars and a
+rounded vault, speaking of very distant days. Everything save pews
+and choir stalls was of granite, its rosy color making the stone
+seem warm rather than cold. Vines, holly and flowers heaped about
+the interior emphasized by their ephemeral beauty the solemn
+enduring majesty of the church itself. Ten or twelve young people
+were working more or less steadily to the accompaniment of much
+gay conversation.
+
+"Oh, Max, that's the wrong frame," Constance said suddenly.
+
+Win turned to see her sorting lilies where she knelt on the
+chancel steps.
+
+"This isn't Easter, ducky," she added. "We want a star, not a
+cross."
+
+Max smiled at Win, an indulgent, rather amused smile, and when the
+proper frame had been substituted, came back to the pulpit.
+
+"Tell me," said Win, indicating the stone vault. "What are those
+little pointed things up there?"
+
+"You mean the limpet shells?" asked Max, looking up.
+
+"Are they shells?" said Win in amazement. "They looked it, but I
+couldn't imagine how shells could be scattered about up there."
+
+"Some thousand years ago when the original builders quarried this
+stone from the Jersey shore, they didn't trouble to scrape off the
+limpets that clung to it. Nobody has removed them since; now it
+would seem sacrilege to do so."
+
+"A thousand years!" repeated Win in awe. He stopped work for a
+moment to look at the pointed shells on the roof.
+
+"Does jar a fellow and makes him feel mighty transitory and
+insignificant, doesn't it?" commented Max, with a friendly glance
+of understanding. "I think there's no place quite like this
+church. The Manor lies in its parish and Uncle Dick would know if
+a single limpet was knocked off. The only time I ever saw him
+really angry was once when some Americans--I'm an American, too,
+you know, so I can tell this story--tried to bribe the verger to
+scrape one down for them. There was rather a row and Uncle was in
+a fine fizz.
+
+"There's one interesting thing common to all these old churches,"
+Max went on, seeing that Win appreciated the place. "The island is
+divided into twelve parishes. From the church of each there was
+originally a road, leading directly to the sea. In feudal times, a
+criminal was safe if he took sanctuary in the church and by the
+old custom, after he had abjured his crime, he could go down by
+this one road to the shore and leave the island. But if he strayed
+never so little aside, he lost the benefit of the sanctuary and
+was liable to the law. Just imagine some old robber or cut-throat
+marching down his path to the sea, escorted by the churchwardens,
+with other men watching his every step, ready to seize him if he
+swerved. Some of these sanctuary roads are still the main
+highways."
+
+"I think the island history is so interesting," said Win. "I
+suppose it is a fact that Prince Charles did take refuge here?"
+
+"No doubt of it," Max replied, looking critically at the almost
+completed pulpit decorations. "Indeed, there is a story that he
+was entertained at Laurel Manor. Ask Uncle about it," he added,
+not noticing Win's start of interest. "He's awfully keen on that
+legend. I suppose it is very likely true though I don't know that
+there is any real proof. There, do you think her ladyship will
+approve our efforts? Excuse me,--Connie wants her star put in
+place."
+
+Left alone, Win stood thinking hard. So Prince Charles was reputed
+to have visited Laurel Manor! What if that chance letter were the
+proof? If so, was there not more in its message than confirmation
+of the prince's stay? One thing was certain--he _must_ get
+acquainted with Colonel Lisle.
+
+So many industrious hands soon completed their task. After the gay
+workers departed, Connie lingered for a last look.
+
+"Come and see it to-morrow morning," she said to the three.
+"Probably you'll wish to go into town at eleven, but come here for
+the early service at six."
+
+Edith looked doubtful. "Sister planned to go to St. Aubin's," she
+said.
+
+"I couldn't come alone," said Frances, her disappointment showing
+in her face.
+
+"I'll come with you," offered Win so unexpectedly that his sister
+frankly stared.
+
+"Good!" said Constance. "There'll be no music and only candle-
+light, but you'll love it. I wouldn't miss it for the world."
+
+That very evening Fran was forced to admit that a Jersey Christmas
+had its compensations. The doors of the back parlor, mysteriously
+locked for days, were opened and in the room, gay with holly,
+mistletoe, and laurestinus, appeared a most delightful little
+Christmas tree, itself rather foreign in appearance since it was a
+laurel growing in a big pot. Real English holly concealed the base
+and merry tapers twinkled a welcome.
+
+Estelle had spent much time and thought, coupled with anxious
+fears lest these young Americans whose lives seemed so sunny,
+might not care for so simple a pleasure. Their appreciation, not
+in the least put on for the occasion, quite repaid her.
+Inexpensive little gifts adorned the tree, each bearing a number.
+
+"Draw a slip," commanded Roger, appearing before his mother with a
+box. "Take a chance and see what you'll get."
+
+When all the slips were distributed, Roger as instructed by
+Estelle, took a gift at random from the tree and called its
+attached number.
+
+"Who has eight?" he demanded.
+
+"Here," said Win, giving up his slip in exchange for the tiny
+package, and presently laughing heartily over an absurd mechanical
+mouse. Ridiculous misfits in the presents made the distribution
+all the funnier, and the rejoicing was great when Roger, who
+didn't believe in washing his hands without being told to do so,
+drew a wee cake of soap. He took it good-naturedly and considered
+as an added joke, Estelle's hasty and shocked assurance that it
+was not meant especially for him.
+
+Strange to say, some packages appeared on that tree of which
+Estelle was ignorant, conveyed by Roger to the proper persons.
+Edith was rendered speechless with joy over several lovely gifts,
+and tears filled Estelle's eyes. Nor were Nurse and Annette
+forgotten. The Thaynes had certainly lived up to the American
+reputation for generosity.
+
+Then Nurse brought a big bowl filled with darting blue flames. The
+courageous shut one or both eyes, stuck in a fearful finger and
+extracted a fig or a fat raisin. Egg-nog and roasted Italian
+chestnuts completed Estelle's entertainment save for the holiday
+dinner of roast beef and plum pudding to follow on the morrow.
+
+Unexpected by Estelle, her plans were supplemented by a group of
+parish school-children, led by the old organist, who came through
+the streets, singing Christmas carols: "God save you, merry
+gentlemen," "Good King Wenceslaus" and "As Joseph was a-waukin'"
+
+In fascination Fran lingered on the steps long after the singers
+were gone, pleased with her distribution of pennies from her
+mother's purse and biscuit provided by Estelle. Far in the
+distance she could hear their voices. Yes, after all, an English
+Christmas had its points.
+
+Next morning, Nurse's call seemed incredibly early to Frances,
+though she found the whole household awake and exchanging
+greetings. Mrs. Thayne decided to accompany Win and Fran, and
+Roger alone remained in bed.
+
+The stars still shone brightly, making it seem the middle of the
+night, save for the hurrying groups bound for church, some still
+singing carols or hymns.
+
+"It's like October weather at home, isn't it, Mother?" said
+Frances as they walked on through the crisp, clear air. "See,
+there are lights in the windows and people leaving lanterns in the
+porch."
+
+The moment she entered, Frances understood what Connie meant by
+not missing that service for "anything in the world," and Win felt
+it even more keenly, being by nature more impressionable.
+
+The utter quiet, broken only by a distant wash of waves,--waves
+that sometimes broke over the stones in the churchyard,--the
+candles in the chancel, throwing into high relief Constance's
+Christmas star and touching with light the jonquils banking steps
+and altar rail; the dusk in the nave of the church half-revealing
+scattered groups of people as they knelt in silence under the
+arched vault where clung the limpets dead a thousand years,--all
+contributed to the age-old Christmas miracle.
+
+"I feel as though I'd never realized what Christmas meant before,"
+thought Win, and somewhat the same feeling came to Frances as her
+eyes became accustomed to the gloom and she discerned among the
+kneeling figures her fellow-workers of the day before. Half-way
+down the nave was the family from the Manor, Constance and Max on
+either side of a tall gray-haired gentleman. Fran recognized him
+as the one who had spoken to Win that day in the Royal Square.
+
+Win recognized him also, knew him to be Colonel Lisle and was
+quickly reminded of that curious old document, as yet a mystery.
+How he hoped Miss Connie's school treat would afford an
+opportunity to meet the owner of the Manor and to take some step
+toward the solution of that puzzle.
+
+As the service began, Frances stole a glance at the windows banked
+with glossy laurel and holly, over which she and Edith had worked
+with Rose LeCroix and her sister Muriel. Just because she had
+helped do something for that little church in a foreign land, Fran
+experienced a sudden blessed feeling of belonging a bit. A
+pleasant glow crept into her heart, a sense of the spirit that
+makes the world akin at Christmas.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+THE BUN WORRY
+
+
+"I have helped you very nicely all the morning, Connie, and I hope
+you appreciate my goodness. But as for messing about the lawn with
+a bun worry in full blast,--thank you, Maxfield is not on. One
+doesn't want to let one's self in for everything."
+
+"Your goodness isn't such as to alarm me," sighed Constance,
+casting a worried glance about the Manor green. "You're in no
+danger of acquiring saintship. Dad has balked, too. What'll I do
+alone?"
+
+"Being on toast yourself, why do you want to have me there?" said
+Max mischievously. "Aren't all the Sunday school mistresses coming
+to help and didn't you ask those nice American kiddies?"
+
+"I did, and that's another reason why I want you," retorted
+Connie, flying to adjust to her better satisfaction the basket of
+narcissus decorating the chief table. "Max, I don't know where to
+have you. Since you came from the States, I can't make out whether
+you are English or American. Here you are shying either at an
+English school treat or at some nice American children. Which is
+it?"
+
+"Neither, I think," Max replied after a survey of the close-
+clipped lawn, boasting that velvety turf which only centuries of
+care can perfect. Great groups of laurel proudly proclaimed the
+right of the Manor to its name; carefully trimmed hedges of yew
+and box protected borders already gay with spring flowers, and
+beyond the grounds shimmered the sea. Max's glance was one of
+affection, for this was the scene of many happy boyhood days.
+
+"I think I'd shy just as quickly at an American tea-fight," he
+said at length. "As for being neither English nor American, I love
+both countries. I would certainly be loyal to my own, but I would
+also take up arms for England, if the time ever came that she
+needed me and the two duties didn't conflict."
+
+"You're a duck," said Constance promptly. "Come, take up arms and
+carry a basket of buns for me this afternoon."
+
+"Too many petticoats coming," said Max. "I'm afraid of those
+freaks from the rectory. But I'll agree to furnish a substitute
+who will more than take my place. The kiddies will be thrilled to
+a peanut. Come now, let me off?"
+
+"I suppose so," agreed Constance. "Don't bother about letting me
+down softly. Trot off and do anything you think you have to do.
+Here are the Marque children already. And there come the Thaynes."
+
+"I will perform a vanishing act," said Max quickly. "Connie, I
+really am booked for an hour with Uncle Dick, but I'll send that
+substitute. Watch for him."
+
+Constance looked after him suspiciously, but Max was already half
+across the sunken garden, whistling to Tylo as he went.
+
+"Are we too early, Miss Connie?" asked Frances as they came up.
+
+"Just on the dot," replied Connie, greeting them all. "The
+children are arriving. We will play games first and then have tea.
+Excuse me, please, while I go and speak to the Reverend Fred."
+
+Constance departed to greet the curate thus disrespectfully
+designated, a youthful individual of rather prepossessing
+appearance. Just behind him appeared Rose and Muriel LeCroix and
+other girls whom Frances knew at school.
+
+Soon the children came thick and fast, shy youngsters propelled by
+older brothers and sisters, independent groups, a few babies in
+arms, a scattering of older people.
+
+Two white-draped tables by the yew hedge were the target for the
+children's eyes as they wondered what those linen-covered baskets
+concealed. There would be tea of course, buns in plenty, possibly
+cake.
+
+Presently the children, poked and pulled into line were started
+playing London Bridge, two of the biggest girls forming the
+bridge.
+
+For a moment Frances stood apart, watching the marching, shouting
+youngsters, scrubbed till they shone, clothed in clean though
+often clumsy garments and heavy shoes. No great poverty was
+indicated by their apparel, and some, evidently of French origin,
+were dressed with real taste and daintiness. These were also
+remarkable for a more vivacious appearance than the stolid little
+Anglo-Saxons. Some few were of striking beauty.
+
+As one game succeeded another, the children grew less stiff and
+self-conscious. The Reverend Fred was joining in the sport with
+conscientious zeal, as were his two sisters and Edith and Miss
+Connie. Fran caught the contagion and found herself flying about
+the Manor lawn, tying a handkerchief over one child's eyes to lead
+in Blindman's Buff, helping another group play King of the Castle,
+finally organizing a game of Drop the Handkerchief.
+
+With amused surprise she saw Roger actually helping Muriel LeCroix
+with a number of the smallest children, and this fact so impressed
+Frances that she failed to note Win's absence.
+
+Her brother was not far away. Had Frances been nearer the opening
+in the hedge, leading into the sunken garden in its season full of
+roses, she might have seen an interesting picture, for with great
+glee, Win was helping prepare for appearance Max's promised
+substitute.
+
+Down in the rose-garden, where an old sundial marked "only the
+sunny hours," the afternoon shadows grew long. The older people,
+somewhat exhausted by strenuous play, seated the children in a big
+circle ready for tea. From the Manor emerged Yvonne, Pierre, and
+Paget, Constance's old nurse, armed with shiny copper cans, to
+fill cups for distribution.
+
+Frances seized a basket of buns and for a time was so occupied
+with playing Lady Bountiful to a host of little hands, now rather
+grimy, that it seemed quite natural to be sharing in this unusual
+festivity. But as she was hurrying back to the table to refill her
+empty basket, she met Edith on a similar errand. Suddenly it
+struck her as very odd that she should be helping.
+
+"This is the funniest affair I ever saw," she confided merrily.
+
+"Why?" asked the puzzled Edith, lifting grave eyes to look at her.
+"Don't you give the Sunday school children treats in America?"
+
+"Oh, yes," admitted Frances, "but we'd never fill them up on weak
+tea and buns. They'd expect ice-cream and cake."
+
+Edith looked much shocked. "Ices are very dear," she remarked,
+"and not fitting for these children. Would you really serve ices
+in winter?" she asked incredulously.
+
+"On the very coldest day of the year," asserted Frances
+emphatically. "Oh, America is so _different_, Edith! Why there's
+scarcely a town so tiny that you can't buy ice-cream any time of
+the day or any time of year."
+
+"It must indeed be different," Edith agreed. Basket refilled, she
+returned to her charges.
+
+For a minute Frances lingered, looking around at the circle of
+hilarious children, each with a mug, more or less precariously
+clasped, each stuffing big plummy buns; looked at the older people
+so anxiously attending to them. Yes, it was very different, very
+English, but also very interesting.
+
+As Frances passed the entrance to the sunken garden, her basket
+filled this time by solid-looking pieces of cake, she heard her
+name.
+
+"Fran," came Win's voice, "call Tylo. Get him to come out on the
+lawn."
+
+Frances called. She could see no one in the garden, only hear
+amused voices trying to induce Tylo to answer the summons.
+
+"He won't start," said Win again. "Ask Miss Connie to whistle for
+him, Fran."
+
+On receiving Fran's message, Constance looked puzzled.
+
+"I'd as soon Tylo would stop away," she said. "The kiddies may not
+fancy him begging for their cake. Still, I'll call."
+
+At the summons from his mistress, Tylo instantly came, causing a
+sudden silence among the chattering children, silence succeeded by
+wild shrieks of pleasure.
+
+The beach dog emerged from the garden wearing a wreath of roses
+around his neck, with an open pink silk parasol fastened to his
+collar and tipped at a fashionable and coquettish angle over his
+head and holding firmly in his mouth the handle of a basket filled
+with as varied an assortment of English "sweets" as Max could
+secure in his hasty gallop into St. Helier's.
+
+Connie, too, gave an exclamation of laughter. "Oh, look at my best
+Paris brelly!" she groaned. "Max stole that. Yvonne never gave it
+to him."
+
+Fully conscious that he held the center of the stage, Tylo
+advanced, waving his tail and casting amiable glances upon the
+children as they came crowding around, buns and cake forgotten. He
+seemed perfectly to understand what was expected and held the
+basket until the last sugar plum was secured by little searching
+hands, then employed to caress the bearer. Max's substitute
+certainly scored the greatest hit of the Manor "bun worry."
+
+From their seclusion in the rose-garden, the two conspirators
+watched Tylo's successful appearance.
+
+"Let's come in and wash," said Max, seeing that no further
+responsibility remained to them. "Or are you keen on a bun worry?
+I like them, like them awfully, you know, but somehow, I'm afraid
+Uncle Dick may be lonely. I feel it's my duty to look him up."
+
+Win would have seen through this flimsy excuse without the
+betrayal of Max's merry eyes, but the proposal chanced to be what
+he most wished to do. Very gladly he followed Max through the
+gardens to a side entrance to the house, where they went up to
+Max's room, a high oak-paneled chamber that would have been sombre
+were it not for three sunny mullioned casements overlooking the
+sea. Cases crowded with books stood by the fireplace, fishing
+rods, cricket bats and oars decorated the walls.
+
+"Those aren't mine," said Max, noticing Win's glance as he stood
+drying his hands; "only the skiis and racquets. This was Richard's
+room, Uncle Dick's only son. He was a subaltern in the British
+army, just twenty when he was killed in the charge on Majuba Hill.
+They have always given me his room at the Manor. I fancy Uncle
+liked to have it occupied by a boy again."
+
+"Colonel Lisle himself must have done some fighting," observed
+Win. "How did he lose his arm?"
+
+"For years he was an officer in India. He lost his arm defending
+the Khyber Pass against the Afghans."
+
+Max took his guest down the main staircase to the great entrance
+hall, with its high raftered roof, and stone floor half covered by
+valuable Oriental rugs. Suits of shining armor lent glints of
+light; curious spears, ancient swords and firearms, many of them
+very old, were fastened on walls dark with age. Win stopped to
+look at the carved mantel over the great fireplace, sporting the
+leopards of Jersey, the Lisle coat of arms and the date 1509.
+
+"Imagine living in a house built all those centuries ago," he
+sighed. "This is older than the library, isn't it?"
+
+"Somewhat," replied Max. "The wing here is the oldest part of the
+house. Let's come to Uncle's study. I fancy he'll be there."
+
+Colonel Lisle was lounging near the fire, but appeared very
+willing to put aside his book and welcome the two.
+
+"And have you had tea, Uncle?" Max inquired. "We haven't, and I
+could do nicely with a cup."
+
+"With all those gallons of tea on the lawn, it is a pity if an
+able-bodied young gentleman couldn't secure one cup," said the
+Colonel smiling. "Now you mention it, I believe I have had none
+either. Ring the bell by all means and order it. I was absorbed in
+verifying some points of old Norman law," he added to Win. "Our
+islands have an interesting history."
+
+"Win is pleased that Prince Charles has left his mark on Jersey,"
+observed Max, giving the bell-pull a vigorous twitch. "Tell him,
+Uncle, about his stopping here."
+
+"Such is the legend handed down from father to son," replied the
+Colonel. "The story goes that the prince was brought to the Manor
+immediately after landing in Jersey. Just where he landed and how
+he was conveyed here is not known, but his stay was short. The
+owner of the Manor at that date, another Richard Lisle,--he whose
+portrait hangs in the library,--was an ardent Royalist who would
+have risked everything to serve his prince. Authorities agree that
+Charles spent the period of his stay in one of the castles, some
+say Orgueil, others Elizabeth. Probably the Manor roof sheltered
+him but for a few hours. I should very much like to see the legend
+of his stop in this house authenticated beyond question. Max tells
+me you are fond of books," the speaker continued. "After tea, I
+will show you some of our special treasures."
+
+Win's face, already alight with interest, grew even more responsive
+to this offer, yet as the tea came, he felt unaccountably stupid
+and idiotic. Utter disgust with himself filled his mind to think he
+couldn't get to the point then and there of telling his kind host
+about that letter he had discovered.
+
+Max noticed that Win was ill at ease, attributed it to shyness or
+perhaps awe of the Colonel, who was, as Max put it, "a bit
+impressive till a fellow knew him," and tried to help matters by
+talking nonsense that amazed Win and evidently amused the Colonel.
+Gradually, as he saw that Max was not in the least afraid of the
+dignified owner of the Manor, Win began to feel less tongue-tied.
+
+Presently came a sound of gay voices, a tap at the door and
+Constance, the girls, and Roger entered.
+
+"The tea-party is gone and in its place is peace," said Connie.
+"Daddy dear, I want you to meet Frances and Edith. And this is
+Roger. Max, why didn't you have tea with us and the kiddies?"
+
+"Because of buns," said Max. "My bun-eating days are past."
+
+"Not so long past!" retorted Constance with a mischievous smile.
+"Not so many years ago that I bribed you with a penny bun to steal
+a tooth for me out of a skull in the Capuchin church! He did it,
+too," she added to the girls, laughing delightedly at this charge.
+"You haven't been in Rome? The Capuchin monks have a church there
+with some holy earth brought from Jerusalem. Years ago,--they
+don't do it now, because modern sanitary laws have invaded Rome,--
+the monks who died were buried in this earth. Only of course as
+the centuries passed, there wasn't room for them all, so the monks
+longest buried had to get up and give place to others. Their bones
+were arranged in nice neat patterns on the walls, and the skulls
+heaped in piles. It was a tooth from one of these skulls that I
+fancied. Max ate the bun and stole the tooth for me, but Daddy
+wouldn't let me keep it and made Max put it back."
+
+"Oh, how could you ever want such a thing, Miss Connie!" exclaimed
+Edith, shuddering with horror.
+
+"I wonder, why did I?" said Constance reflectively. "It certainly
+doesn't appeal to me now. Mother was shocked; she disinfected
+everything that tooth had touched. Are you through tea, Daddy? I
+want to take the girls into the library."
+
+Once again in the old book-room, Win recovered his self-possession
+in admiration of its treasures of illuminated missal and
+manuscript. His interest pleased his host, who ended by cordially
+inviting the boy to visit the Manor library whenever and as often
+as he chose to come. Win's genuine delight over this permission
+touched the Colonel, who from his own physical handicap, guessed
+that life was not always smooth for Win.
+
+Win's pleasure arose not merely from the enjoyment of the library
+itself but because he would surely grow better acquainted with the
+Manor family and have a more favorable opportunity to show his
+discovery in the old Psalter.
+
+He was very quiet on the way home and scarcely spoke while Fran
+was giving her mother a graphic account of the afternoon. Win
+hardly knew she was talking until his attention was caught by a
+dramatic remark.
+
+"Miss Connie told us something so exciting, Mother," Fran was
+saying. "Roger asked her if there was a ghost. He blurted it right
+out and I was quite mortified, because you know if they did have
+one and were sensitive, it would have seemed impolite. But Miss
+Connie said right away that the Manor had all modern improvements,
+including a well-behaved and most desirable ghost. Then she and
+Mr. Max looked at each other and laughed. She said the haunted
+room was above the library and promised to give us a chance to
+investigate some day. I wanted dreadfully to ask about secret
+stairs,--you remember what that boy at Orgueil said--but perhaps
+when we are looking for the ghost there will be a chance to speak
+of the stairs."
+
+"Indeed, you've had a most interesting afternoon," agreed Mrs.
+Thayne, "the discovery of a haunted room at the Manor being not
+the least."
+
+"And what have you done all by yourself, _poor_ Mother?" said
+Frances, suddenly sympathetic and affectionate.
+
+"Part of the afternoon I was out and since then I have been
+talking with Estelle. If she only felt she could, it would be so
+much better for her to go more among people, for the constant
+effort to be brave when she is so much alone, is very wearing. She
+seems so pathetically grateful that we chanced to come to her this
+winter instead of other less congenial lodgers. Sometime I hope
+she will speak frankly of just how they are situated and whether
+she has plans beyond this season, for I might be able to further
+them. And I hope, too, I shall succeed in placing the something
+familiar that always strikes me in Estelle. Have you ever noticed
+it, Fran? To my surprise, Win said the other day that Estelle
+reminded him of some one."
+
+"No," said Fran. "I never noticed it. But I might ask Edith
+whether they have any relatives in the United States."
+
+"That could do no harm," assented Mrs. Thayne thoughtfully. "Since
+Win spoke of it also, the resemblance must be to some one we know
+over there."
+
+Frances and her mother went away but Win sat thinking for some
+moments. The mention of secret stairs recalled to him, though he
+could not say why, that odd dream twice experienced since he came
+to Jersey, of a search in a narrow unfamiliar passage, with
+unknown companions, for something unspecified.
+
+With a start he finally roused himself and went upstairs. Before
+going to bed he read again the copy of Richard Lisle's letter.
+
+"There's more to this than just the coming of the prince," he
+thought. "That's a fact, but if that 'safe place' can be
+discovered, I'll warrant we shall find the Spanish Chest and
+whatever 'relicks' Richard and his 'Sonne' put into it."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+THE MANOR CAVE
+
+
+A few days after the school treat, Maxfield Hamilton was
+sauntering slowly across the Manor grounds. The January sky above
+shone blue as in a New England June, gay crocuses starred the
+short green grass, snowdrops and bluebells were already budded.
+From heights unknown floated the song of a skylark; in the holly
+hedge sat an English robin.
+
+Max heard the skylark but did not notice the robin as he stopped
+at the gates to look down to the sea, stretching to shining
+horizons under the afternoon sun. His face was thoughtful and
+rather sober.
+
+The robin gave a little cheep and Max turned to discover the bird
+almost at his elbow, a tiny scrap of olive feathers and bright red
+breast, considering him with soft wise eyes, head on one side.
+
+"Hello, old chap," Max remarked. "What do _you_ think of this
+world?"
+
+From the tone, the robin might have inferred that the speaker's
+opinion was anything but favorable. Considering him for a second,
+he concluded him inoffensive and began to peck at the glowing
+holly berries.
+
+Max wandered slowly through the gates and across the Manorhold to
+the shore, distant at this point about a quarter of a mile. Two or
+three stone cottages with picturesque straw-thatched roofs lay
+near the cliffs, property of the Manor and usually occupied by
+employees.
+
+With the thoughtful expression still on his face, Max passed the
+cottages to stop on the edge of the cliffs already showing yellow
+with gorse. Should the tide serve, he had it in mind to revisit a
+haunt of his boyhood. A moment's scrutiny showed him right in
+thinking that the tide was on the ebb and he started rapidly down
+a rough, rather slippery path. As he rounded an outlying rock he
+came full on Roger Thayne.
+
+Sprawled flat on the sloping cliff, Roger was watching so intently
+the doings of a spider that he did not look up until a shadow fell
+squarely across the web.
+
+"That you, Roger?" said Max. "Alone? Where are Win and the girls?"
+
+"I don't know," replied Roger, flushing uncomfortably. "That is, I
+don't know where the girls are."
+
+"Win's not ill, I hope?"
+
+"No, he isn't." Roger rolled over to look at his visitor. The
+young face wore a pleasant smile and the gray eyes were friendly,
+but somehow Roger had a suspicion that Mr. Max wasn't the sort to
+approve outright truancy.
+
+"Win's all right," he added evasively. "He's studying or
+something."
+
+A queer little expression crossed Max's lips. "Then since you have
+a holiday,--well-deserved, no doubt,--come on exploring with me."
+
+Roger was on his feet in a second, the arrow of reproof glancing
+off unnoted. "Where are you going?" he demanded.
+
+"Oh, just down here a few rods. We may have to hold up for the
+tide. It won't be low water for some time yet."
+
+The faint path presently ended in piles of red granite, still wet
+from the sea, in places slippery with vraic, as the Jerseymen call
+the seaweed used as fertilizer for their land.
+
+"We shall have to stop a bit," said Max, after a short steep
+descent. As he spoke he sat down and began to crush a bit of vraic
+between his fingers.
+
+"This seaweed is one of the biggest assets the farmers have," he
+said to Roger. "You'll enjoy being here in February when the great
+vraic harvest comes. The farmers go down to the shore with carts
+and a sort of sickle. At low tide the southern shore is black with
+people cutting the seaweed from the rocks. The carts are used to
+carry it up beyond tide-mark. Men, women and young people all turn
+out and it's one of the sights of the island. The harvest lasts
+for several weeks and for the first few days there is a continual
+picnic with dancing and all sorts of jollifications."
+
+"But I've often seen men gathering seaweed on the beach," said
+Roger. "It isn't February yet."
+
+"They are gathering the loose weed that is washed ashore. Any one
+may take that between the hours of sunrise and sunset, but he must
+stop at sound of the sunset gun. The cutting from the rocks is
+regulated by a hallowed custom. In June there's a second harvest
+when only the poor people may cut the vraic for a few weeks. After
+they have had their turn anybody may cut it till the last of
+August."
+
+As he concluded, Max threw away the seaweed and picked up one of
+the abundant black flint pebbles. For some moments he amused
+himself by striking sparks from it with the back of a knife blade.
+
+"I haven't lost the knack," he remarked. "By the way, have you
+found any flint knives? They turn up occasionally, though more
+often inland than in a place like this. They are relics of the
+days when the Druids were in Jersey. You've seen the burial
+mounds, haven't you,--the Dolmens?"
+
+"I have," said Roger briefly. "In Bill Fish's company. Liked the
+stones all right enough, but Bill can't talk, you know. He
+expounds."
+
+Max grinned. "Bad Writ, that," he agreed. "Come along. We can get
+through now."
+
+[Illustration: THEY CAME UPON THE LOVELIEST OF LITTLE BEACHES]
+
+Climbing carefully around a slippery projecting rock, its base yet
+submerged, they came upon the loveliest of lovely little beaches,
+in shape almost a semi-circle, the water forming the bisector and
+the frowning red cliffs the arc. Near the centre of the half-
+circle stood two tall pinnacles of red granite. Behind them yawned
+an entrance about five feet high and under this Max bent his tall
+head. Roger followed and uttered a whistle of pleasure and
+amazement.
+
+They stood in a large cave, floored by fine bright yellow sea
+sand, broken irregularly by out-croppings of rose-pink rock, sand
+and rock alike wet and glistening. Away to the back of the cave,
+Roger saw that the floor rose higher. The roof was iridescent with
+green and yellow lichens; pebbles of jasper, cornelian and agate
+strewed the sand.
+
+In the twelve years of his existence, Roger had never seen
+anything like this and surprise rendered him inarticulate.
+
+"Some cave!" he commented at length. "Look, Mr. Max, what are
+these?"
+
+"Oh, haven't you met any sea-anemones? The pools are full of them.
+Jolly little beggars."
+
+Roger was naturally less enthusiastic over the charming water-
+gardens than the girls when they chanced upon them, but he was
+considerably interested in the numerous and varicolored snails,
+their shells bright green or delicate pink, truly entrancing to
+pick up and examine. By the time Roger finished a somewhat minute
+inspection his companion was out of sight.
+
+"Hello!" he shouted in some concern.
+
+"Right-oh!" came a quiet reply.
+
+Bather abashed by the startling echoes he had evoked, Roger
+climbed over fallen rocks to the back of the cave. There the floor
+rose sharply, affording a level apparently beyond reach of the
+tide, for some tiny land plants had found a lodging, ferns waved
+from the crannied vault and there was no sign of any marine
+growth.
+
+"This used to be a favorite resort of mine," said Max, who was
+sitting on the high ledge, some five feet wide. Beyond, the cave
+ended in a mass of stone and rubble.
+
+Roger's eyes grew wide. "What a dandy place!" he exclaimed.
+
+"Not much compared with the Plemont caves," replied his companion.
+"You'll probably go there before leaving the island. There are
+five or six of them and one has a waterfall dividing it into two
+distinct caves. Plemont is the spot where the cable comes in from
+England, crawls out of the ocean like a great dripping hoary old
+sea-serpent to trail through a cleft to the station on the cliff
+above. This is a rat-hole beside those caves."
+
+"I'll take steps to go there," said Roger earnestly. "Say, does
+the water ever come up here?"
+
+"I don't think so. Even at the spring tides, it would probably not
+reach within two feet of this ledge. Only a rip-snorter of a
+tempest could endanger goods stored here, or even anybody who
+chose this cave to hide in."
+
+"Some hiding-place," admitted Roger.
+
+"So I've found it. When I was about your age, I came down here
+because I was annoyed with the world in general and stopped
+between two tides."
+
+"Really?" gasped Roger. "Did you get wet?"
+
+"Not a bit. I'll admit that things seemed spooky when I'd waited
+so long that I couldn't get out. I took solid comfort in the ferns
+and in a sea pink that had put out a scared little blossom right
+where we are sitting. I was shut in the better part of six hours
+and time proved a bit slow. I remember coming to the conclusion
+that perhaps the people I'd left behind weren't so utterly
+unreasonable after all. I fancy it's a rather sure sign that when
+you can't rub along with anybody, the trouble isn't altogether
+with them."
+
+Roger looked at him suspiciously but Max's gaze was bent on the
+cave entrance, arching over a wonderful view of blue sea.
+
+"Do you like to live in Paris?" he asked hastily.
+
+"I'd rather stop in Rome where my father is," Max replied,
+suppressing a smile over the sudden change of subject. "But Dad
+runs up occasionally. I feel as though I'd be more use in Rome
+because there I know everybody who is anybody, you see, and it
+would be a help to the Embassy. Dad thinks I may be able to work a
+transfer after a year or so. If the Ambassador to Italy remarks to
+the State Department at Washington that Maxfield Hamilton seems a
+likely young chap with both eyes open and that he wouldn't mind
+having him on his staff, why Max may receive a document telling
+him to pack his little box and attach his person to the Embassy at
+Rome."
+
+Roger laughed. "Then you don't like Paris?"
+
+"Oh, yes," said Max thoughtfully. "I've had a jolly time socially.
+I can't imagine anybody in my circumstances not enjoying himself.
+But it's not where I most want to be. It's up to me to make good
+so emphatically that they'll hand me on to Rome with a word in my
+favor."
+
+"I expect they will," said Roger.
+
+"Not if I don't buckle down," said Max half to himself. "Something
+happened last October that gave me a jolt and it has been hard to
+stick to work. I came over here for the holidays determined to get
+myself in hand again. I think I've succeeded, old chap, so I'd
+better go back and dig in. A man mustn't whine, you know, if it
+looks jolly final that he isn't going to have everything he wants.
+I've wasted time enough. I must go back to Paris now and keep my
+mind on my job."
+
+"I bunked Bill Fish this afternoon," admitted Roger suddenly.
+
+"No doubt he was a frightful bore," commented Max without showing
+the least surprise. "Probably I'd have done the same in your
+place. The only disadvantage about shying at disagreeable things
+like tutors is that one hardly ever gets rid of them after all.
+I'm becoming convinced that the only way to get round a difficulty
+is to hit it in the head and walk over its flattened corpse."
+
+Roger grinned. "Shall I bat Bill Fish?" he asked.
+
+"Bill Fish might be worse. Don't blame you for feeling him a
+freak, but the schools in Jersey are footy affairs. If you want a
+fair sample of a school you'd have to try England proper. We've
+messed about here long enough. Let's take a swim."
+
+"Does the cave end here?" asked Roger, looking at the pile of
+broken stone beyond the shelf.
+
+"I suppose so. It's the only one on the Manor lands so Connie and
+I liked to come. Uncle Dick wouldn't permit it unless a grown
+person was with us to watch the tide. How about a dip? No one can
+see us."
+
+Max left the ridge to saunter toward the entrance, stopping to
+investigate more than one pool of anemones. "By the way," he
+added, "I wouldn't tell the girls of this cave. They'll be keen on
+searching for it afternoons when they are free and you aren't, and
+may get into a mess with the tides. Really it's not quite safe."
+
+[Illustration: PLEMONT IS THE SPOT WHERE THE CABLE COMES IN FROM
+ENGLAND]
+
+"All right," agreed Roger, sliding from the shelf. As he did so, a
+sudden current of warm air struck him, quite unlike the rather
+damp, salty atmosphere of the cave. His curiosity was sufficiently
+aroused to cause him to stop and look back, but Max had already
+begun to undress and there seemed no possible place for a sweet
+land breeze to find entrance.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+WIN VISITS THE LIBRARY
+
+
+Max's abrupt departure two days later was a great disappointment
+to Win, who admired him greatly and coveted a closer acquaintance.
+That he should cut short his stay on the plea of work to be done
+seemed reasonable to the others but his going quite upset Win. Nor
+was this disappointment lightened by a period of semi-invalidism
+when all exertion was difficult and patience very far to seek. Not
+for some weeks after Max left was Win able to take advantage of
+the Colonel's prized invitation to use the Manor library.
+
+He made his first visit, fully determined to broach the discovery
+of Richard Lisle's letter to either the Colonel or his daughter,
+whichever should appear, but Yvonne, who admitted him with a
+smiling welcome, reported neither at home.
+
+Nor did fortune favor his second attempt. The Colonel was in St.
+Helier's and Constance entertaining a group of young people on the
+lawn. Win dodged these visitors and from the library windows
+looked down upon a lively set of tennis. Players and spectators
+alike seemed to know one another extremely well. The inference Win
+drew was correct, that for some reason, the little lady of the
+Manor chose just now to crowd her life with social engagements and
+gay festivities.
+
+Time had been when Win didn't care to watch others play games he
+could not share, but Win was learning that every life has its
+compensations; when one is debarred from one thing, he is sure to
+have another in its place. Without envy Win watched them for a
+time before turning to the books.
+
+His third visit was made on a morning in early February when
+walking was rather difficult owing to a penetrating rain. Wintry
+weather seemed to have visited the Island, but the cold was
+deceptive, for though a heavy coat was acceptable, plenty of
+flowers were in blossom, even a number of surprised-looking roses.
+
+On reaching the Manor, Win was admitted by cordial Yvonne, who at
+once conducted him to his sanctuary. The room was empty, but a
+cheery fire glowed on the hearth, and on the long bare black oak
+table stood an enormous copper bowl full of fresh daffodils,
+making a spot of light and beauty in the sombre room.
+
+Win spent a few moments warming his hands at the fire and
+considering thoughtfully the back of the old Psalter in which was
+shut Richard Lisle's letter. Perhaps opportunity would favor him
+to-day, some chance be provided to show that discovery to either
+Miss Connie or her father.
+
+That its contents referred to Prince Charles was established
+beyond doubt by the existing legend of his entertainment at the
+Manor, but the letter said much more than that. Only some one
+thoroughly familiar with the Manor and its possessions could
+interpret further. As the rain beat on the terrace outside, Win
+chanced to look up at the portrait near the fireplace, and
+instantly recalled that curious dream.
+
+"I dreamed all that stuff just because I've always been crazy to
+go treasure-hunting," he thought, "and because that old Cavalier
+was the last thing I saw before I went to sleep. Well, I might go
+and read for a while."
+
+With a glance of admiration at some fine old armor passed on the
+way, Win went into the farther room to settle himself on the
+comfortable window seat with a fat history of the island of
+Jersey.
+
+Fully an hour passed before the sound of low voices penetrated his
+consciousness. Gradually he became aware that two people were now
+occupying the seat before the smouldering fire. One was Constance
+Lisle, the other some one Win had never seen before, a dark
+distinguished-looking young man, evidently of foreign blood.
+
+Connie was leaning back in the corner of the old settle, her white
+dress and the neighboring bowl of daffodils standing out as high
+lights in the shadowy surroundings. Her companion, beside her, was
+bending slightly forward, his face turned eagerly toward hers.
+
+Had he wished to listen, Win could not distinguish the low words.
+That fact absolved him from the necessity of making his presence
+known, for leave he could not without passing through the room.
+Presently the young man raised his voice and Win realized that he
+was speaking in Italian.
+
+For the moment, interest in the present dismissed the past. Win
+had heard the girls' chatter about their adored Miss Connie and
+the romance attributed to her by Mrs. Trott, but boy-like, paid
+very little attention to what he considered the foolish fancies of
+sentimental kids. Now he was startled into sudden interest.
+
+That stranger must be Miss Connie's Italian prince. Very handsome
+and very much of a gentleman he looked and most earnest their
+conversation. Yet even to an inexperienced observer, it was not
+that of two happy young people, entering a sunny stretch of life,
+but of a boy and girl confronted with some stern and very present
+problem. Connie's hands were clasped too tightly, there was a
+sense of strain in the poise of her head. Her companion's pose was
+one of perplexity and doubt.
+
+Win remembered what else he had heard of that rumored engagement,
+not much to be sure, save that strong pressure was being put upon
+the last of the Santo-Pontes in order to secure the estates and
+title of a great Roman house to the church of his ancestors.
+
+Presently Win realized that he had no right even to look on. He
+turned his face to the storm and again buried himself in his old
+volume.
+
+A long time later he heard his name and Constance strolled alone
+through the arch from the other room. She looked pale and tired
+but otherwise composed.
+
+"I didn't know you were here, Win," she said as she came to his
+chosen window.
+
+"I've been stuck in this book for ages. Miss Connie, I've found
+the most interesting thing ever."
+
+"What is it?" Connie inquired listlessly, wondering, but not
+particularly caring whether Win knew of her interview with Louis
+di Santo-Ponte. She looked sweet and wistful as she stood leaning
+against the window seat, her mind down in the town where the boat
+for St. Malo was getting up steam. "Tell me about it, Win," she
+added, recalling her wandering thoughts. She liked Win as she
+liked most young people.
+
+"Come and see," said Win, replacing his history in its case.
+Connie accompanied him to the fireplace in the main room.
+
+"Did you ever look at that book?" he inquired, indicating the worn
+old Psalter.
+
+"There are several thousand books here that I never looked at,"
+said Connie promptly. "Max is the one who browses in this part of
+the library. Ah, he's been here lately, reading his horrid old
+German philosophers." With an air of disgust she pointed to the
+blue-bound modern volumes.
+
+"What is this book that interests you so much!" she went on,
+taking It from the shelf. "Oh, an old copy of the Psalms. Look at
+its odd type."
+
+"It isn't the book that interests me," said Win, "but this paper.
+I found it accidentally. Do read it, Miss Connie, and see what you
+make of it."
+
+After her first perusal, Constance grew as excited as Win. With
+the deliberate purpose of putting her troubles from her mind, she
+concentrated her attention on this discovery.
+
+"The prince of course refers to Charles, because it is an
+historical fact that he took refuge in Jersey," began Win.
+
+"Yes, and there's the legend that he was entertained here at the
+Manor," exclaimed Connie. "Why Dad will be crazy about this, for
+it proves that story!"
+
+"I hoped he'd be pleased," said Win happily.
+
+"Oh, he will!" replied Connie. "Charles was just a boy, only
+sixteen, at the time he fled from England."
+
+"Ever since I saw two letters in the British Museum, Charles the
+Second has seemed a very real person to me," said Win smiling. "Do
+you know them, Miss Connie? One is from Queen Henrietta Maria to
+Prince Charles, expressing great regret that the prince has
+refused to take the 'physick' prescribed for him, and hoping that
+he will consent to do so on the following day, for if he didn't
+she should be obliged to come to him and she trusted he would not
+give her that 'paine.' She had also requested the Duke of
+Newcastle to report to her whether he took it or not and so she
+'rested.'
+
+"But what I liked best," Win went on, "was the letter Prince
+Charles wrote. He evidently didn't reply to his mother, but sent a
+note to the Duke of Newcastle in which he flatly refused to take
+the 'physick' and advised the Duke not to take any either!"
+
+Connie laughed. "That does seem a touch of real boy nature,
+doesn't it? But I'm afraid Prince Charles was rather a rotten
+young cub, not worth the affection expended on him nor the good
+lives laid down in his cause. The Richard Lisle who wrote this
+letter was my great-great--oh, I don't know how many times
+removed--grandfather! It's plain that Prince Charles came here to
+the Manor, was fed and provided with a change, and escorted to the
+castle, probably Orgueil. But what the 'relicks' are and what the
+'safe place,' I can't tell. Nor do I know what is meant by the
+Spanish chest. If there was anything of that description around
+the Manor I'd jolly well know it."
+
+"Would Colonel Lisle know?" asked Win eagerly.
+
+"I wonder, will he?" mused Connie after a pause spent in close
+scrutiny of the document. "We'll ask. Anyway, he'll be awfully
+interested because here it is in black and white that Prince
+Charles was brought to the Manor. Win, it's storming desperately
+and I'm bored to death. I'm going to send Pierre to St. Aubin's to
+tell your mother that you won't be back for luncheon. We'll show
+Dad your find and bring our united minds to bear on the problem."
+
+Win was sorely tempted. The walk through the storm had taxed his
+strength. Should he struggle back, the chances were that he would
+be too tired for any lessons after his arrival.
+
+"Your tutor won't matter, will he?" asked Connie. "You're not
+expected to be so regular as Roger."
+
+Wingate grinned. "I was thinking how angry Roger will be if he
+finds himself the sole object of Bill Fish's attention this
+afternoon. Thank you, Miss Connie. I want mightily to stay. I
+ought not to have come up here today when it was storming, but
+since I'm here the wisest thing is to wait for a time. And I'm
+wild to know what your father thinks of this paper. I will send a
+note to Mother if I may."
+
+"I'll write, too," said Constance, "and I shall tell her that
+we'll keep you all night if the rain continues. I need somebody to
+play with me, Win. I'm jolly glad you did brave the storm."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+ABOUT THE SPANISH CHEST
+
+
+Roger's state of mind at finding himself destined to be the sole
+object of Bill Fish's ministrations that afternoon was laughable.
+He vowed to Frances that he also would take French leave and
+bitterly denounced Win for absconding, declaring it a "put up
+job."
+
+"Perhaps Mr. Fisher won't come," consoled Frances. "The storm has
+really grown much worse since morning."
+
+"Indeed he will," said Roger darkly. "Fishes like water. I only
+hope he'll wipe his fins when he comes in. The last rainy day he
+dripped all over the room. I was 'most drowned before we finished.
+But it was mean and sneaky of Win to go up to the Manor this
+morning. He might have known that I wanted help with my
+arithmetic."
+
+"Perhaps I can help," offered Frances. Luncheon just over, the
+unwelcome Mr. Fisher was due in twenty minutes.
+
+"Oh, you may try," conceded Roger ungraciously. "But if Win stays
+up there all night, I'll pay him out."
+
+"Mother thinks from Miss Connie's note that they were doing
+something very interesting and she really wanted him," Fran said
+lazily, her face pressed against the pane. "How angry and gray the
+water looks."
+
+"I've a great mind to bunk," said Roger gloomily. "It's not fair
+for me to work alone all the afternoon."
+
+"Edith and I have been at school all the morning," said the peace-
+making Frances. "And Win does work when he can; he never really
+shirks, Roger."
+
+"He _likes_ to study," grumbled Roger. "I don't."
+
+"There are so many things you can do that Win can't," reminded his
+sister.
+
+"Don't preach," retorted Roger, but Fran's comment recalled to his
+mind the conversation with Max in the cave. Boy-like, Roger would
+not admit even to himself any repentance for his short-comings on
+that occasion, but the recollection served to smooth his present
+ruffled feelings. Win had worked alone with Bill Fish all that
+afternoon and Roger remembered most distinctly how Mr. Max looked
+when he said he was going back to Paris and waste no more time.
+
+"Win is having fun, I'm sure," said Fran at length. "Miss Connie
+promised Edith and me that we shall come up and sleep in the
+haunted room some night if we like."
+
+"What's it haunted by?" demanded Roger.
+
+"She wouldn't tell us. Says if we know, we'll be sure to see
+things. But she is going to have a bed put up for herself and come
+in with us, so I'm sure it's nothing very dreadful. I'm so glad we
+came to Jersey just so we could know Miss Connie."
+
+"Some girl," admitted Roger. "But she can't hold a candle to Mr.
+Max. He's a corker."
+
+"He is nice," Frances agreed. "But show me your arithmetic. And
+would you like me to sit in the room? Perhaps Mr. Fisher won't be
+so fierce if I am there."
+
+"I would not," was her brother's concise reply. "He isn't fierce
+either; he's merely flappy. I tell you he _is_ a fish. He looks
+exactly like one of those flatfish we catch down in Maine. Eyes
+both on one side."
+
+Nothing more unlike the tall, angular Scotch tutor could possibly
+have been mentioned, but Fran suppressed a laugh as she inspected
+Roger's problems in mathematics.
+
+"Me doing arithmetic!" he groaned. "And Win having the time of his
+life at the Manor!"
+
+If not exactly experiencing such bliss, Win was thoroughly
+enjoying himself. After luncheon in the charming old Manor dining-
+room with a cheerful fire dispelling all gloom caused by the rain
+on the windows, the three adjourned to Colonel Lisle's study,
+where Win placed upon the table his discovery. The Colonel read it
+with great interest.
+
+"Well, that is a valuable document, Win," he admitted. "It is
+evidently a page from a letter that Richard Lisle, fourth, wrote
+to some one and never sent. I am the ninth Richard, so you see how
+far back that was. Of course it refers to the Prince of Wales,
+afterwards Charles II of England. It is a curious fact in the
+history of the Channel Islands that Guernsey sided with the
+Parliament in its dispute with the king, while Jersey remained
+royalist to the core. I am under great obligations to you for
+discovering this paper, for it proves beyond doubt the legend that
+I have always wished to see substantiated, that Prince Charles
+came to Laurel Manor."
+
+"Don't you make out, Daddy, that they gave him other clothes and
+took him to the castle?" asked his daughter.
+
+"Without doubt. Orgueil, or possibly Castle Elizabeth. I believe
+that the consensus of opinion now favors Elizabeth as having been
+the prince's refuge."
+
+"What do you make of the rest of it, sir?" asked Win, who was
+still beaming with happiness over the Colonel's appreciation. "It
+says in so many words that they put something in a chest and hid
+it until the trouble was over."
+
+"That much is plain," replied his host thoughtfully. The paper was
+spread upon his desk and the young people sat on either side.
+Win's attention was distracted for a moment by his view of the
+Colonel's distinguished face, the face of an high-bred English
+gentleman. With all the impetuosity of his American birth and
+training, Win felt the charm of this gentleman of other race and
+another generation. He admired the Colonel's complete repose, his
+courteous ways and softly modulated voice. They were not in the
+least effeminate and the empty sleeve and the little bronze
+Victoria cross bore witness that the Colonel was a very gallant
+officer.
+
+"I think," began Constance, "that Great-great-grandfather Dick and
+his 'Sonne' put the prince's clothes and perhaps some other things
+in a chest and hid them. Dad, did you ever know of anything
+answering to the description of 'ye Spanish chest'?"
+
+The Colonel thoughtfully smoothed his gray mustache. "There is the
+box that came from the Armada," he remarked. "But that cannot be
+the one referred to, since that belonged to your mother, my dear,
+and comes from her side of the house."
+
+"Mummy was Irish," Connie explained to Win. "I'll show you that
+box. It really was washed up on the coast of Ireland and has been
+in her family for centuries. No, of course, it couldn't be that."
+
+"A Spanish chest does not necessarily mean a relic of the Armada,"
+went on the Colonel. "There might possibly be a box of Spanish
+workmanship, but I know of none in the Manor to which that
+description could be applied. That big black oak chest in the
+upper hall is English. The one in my room is Flemish."
+
+"Oh, those are both too big, anyway," declared Constance. "Even
+men in a hurry wouldn't take a box as big as those to pack a suit
+of clothes in. No, it was something that could be easily carried
+and concealed. It takes four servants to move those great arks."
+
+"Then, if there isn't anything in the Manor that answers the
+description, don't you believe the chest and the things in it are
+still hidden?" Win asked rather shyly, but with keen interest.
+
+The Colonel smiled kindly. "Sorry to quench your enthusiasm, Win,"
+he said, "but I doubt it. Prince Charles landed in Jersey in 1646
+if my memory serves. Subtract that date from this year of our
+Lord. I'm afraid that chest, whatever it was, has long since
+emerged from its hiding-place. According to the document here, it
+was concealed only till 'happier times should dawne.' Prince
+Charlie came to his own again, you remember. This Richard Lisle
+died somewhere where about 1675. He lived to see the Restoration,
+so surely he or his son brought to light again the things that
+there was no longer reason to conceal."
+
+"But, Daddy," said Constance quickly, noticing the look of
+disappointment on Win's expressive face. "People forget. Let's
+think of all the possibilities. It says some place outside the
+walls. And they needed a lantern."
+
+"There is the cave, daughter, at the edge of the Manor estates,
+but you know all about that. Why, I know that cave myself, I was
+going to say, every grain of sand in it."
+
+"That's true," admitted Connie. "And of course in all the
+centuries, numbers of people have been there."
+
+"Considering the brisk trade in smuggling that was done in Jersey
+during the 1700's, I think the chances of finding anything in the
+Manor cave are very small," agreed her father. "There is one
+thing, though, we might look at."
+
+As he spoke, he rose and produced his keys. Swinging back a
+portrait on hinges, he disclosed a small safe built into the wall.
+Win was silent through interest in this novel way of concealing a
+strong-box, but Constance jumped up.
+
+"What are you looking for. Daddy? Oh, the plans of the Manor."
+
+"You see," said the Colonel to Win as he sat clown again, a
+discolored roll of papers in his hand, "the original Manor house
+has been added to from time to time. Let us see what it comprised
+in the days when Richard Lisle read his Psalter and wrote his
+letter. It is possible that something then outside the wall may
+now be inside the house."
+
+"There's a number of queer things about this old place," said
+Connie, sharing Win's look of expectation. "Max and I have run a
+good many of them to earth, but there may be something yet.
+Certainly we never stumbled on any Spanish chest."
+
+The two young people helped the Colonel spread the plans and
+arrange paper-weights to keep them flat.
+
+"This comprises not only the house itself but the grounds," he
+began. "They run as you see to the cliffs of the bay. The cave is
+there."
+
+"I never knew that," said Win. "Is it large?"
+
+"Nothing like Plemont or even La Grecq," Constance replied. "Those
+are the show caves of Jersey. There are many as big as ours. It's
+a rather rough walk, Win, and the cave is accessible only at low
+tide. I did say something about it once to Edith and Frances, but
+they didn't understand, and after they were caught by the tide, I
+thought it would be better for them not to know of it. You see one
+can get shut in till the next low water. There's no danger because
+the vault is so high that the tide doesn't fill it. In fact, Max
+deliberately stopped there once."
+
+"Was he shut in?" asked Win.
+
+"No," said the Colonel smiling. "He was annoyed with me and took
+that method of expressing his displeasure. I fancy he was a trifle
+surprised that no fuss was made over his exploit. You see, I knew
+he was perfectly safe. Connie, I think that path is possible for
+Win some day when the weather and tide both serve. Well, this is
+the extent of the original house. It includes this wing where we
+are and the main portion. These shaded partitions show distinctly
+where later additions have been made."
+
+"What is this tiny dotted line across the grounds?" Win inquired.
+
+"That? It is a footpath toward the shore and the gardener's
+cottage. I should say that the present path curves more, but that
+is its direction in general."
+
+Win was puzzled by this explanation. Why should only one of the
+Manor paths be marked? That it was the sole one existing at the
+time the plans were drawn seemed scarcely possible.
+
+"That 'safe place,' if it was outside the walls in those days
+would probably have been somewhere underground," commented Connie,
+after the map had been exhaustively discussed. "That might mean
+that it is now in the cellars somewhere. Dad, have we your
+permission to explore all the subterranean caverns?"
+
+"If there are any that you haven't already investigated," said the
+amused Colonel. "I didn't suppose there was a square inch of the
+place that you and Max hadn't by heart."
+
+"I thought so, too," said Constance, "but if Win's theories are
+correct, there must be something we have overlooked. What do you
+say about an exploration, Win?"
+
+"Oh, I should like nothing better," said Win eagerly. "It will be
+great sport to hunt for that chest. And it's so interesting to
+look around a house that has been in the same family for
+centuries."
+
+"There has been a Richard Lisle of Laurel Manor for over four
+hundred years," said the Colonel rather sadly. "I am the last of a
+long line."
+
+"The only solution," said Constance quickly, "is for your unworthy
+daughter to marry some perfectly insignificant person, who will as
+a part of the marriage contract, take the name of Lisle."
+
+"The man who marries my daughter," replied the Colonel with gentle
+dignity, "will have an honorable and, I trust, an honored name of
+his own to offer her."
+
+"Else he will never get her," commented Connie with charming
+impertinence. "Daddy dear, if I could find a man one half as nice
+as you are, I'd marry him on the spot! Win, we'll arrange to head
+an exploring expedition. It's too cold and spooky in the cellars
+to do it this afternoon. We'll plan for a time when Roger and the
+girls can share the sport. I wish Max was here, too. He would
+simply dote on it"
+
+"I wish he was!" sighed Win. "I was dreadfully disappointed when I
+heard he had gone. I think he's about right."
+
+A sudden very charming smile broke over Connie's face. Up to that
+time, it had been rather serious. "If we don't solve the problem
+before the Easter holidays," she said, "Max will be keen on
+running it down. I hope he can come then. He took so long at
+Christmas that I'm afraid they'll dock him at Easter, and I shall
+be completely desolated if that happens."
+
+"I think he will come," said the Colonel. "In fact he told me he
+might be able to get away for an occasional week-end. With a fast
+car it is not so far to Granville or even St. Malo and he need
+waste no time waiting for the steamer."
+
+Constance suddenly sat up straight. "Max mustn't neglect his
+duties," she declared. "Either he has a very indulgent chief or he
+is hedging."
+
+Her attitude was so comically severe that Win laughed, and her
+father looked up with a smile.
+
+"I can't be responsible for what Max tells his chief," he
+remarked, "but I know enough about the diplomatic service to feel
+sure he is giving satisfaction."
+
+Constance still looked stern. "It's all right, of course, if he
+really earns his week-end," she conceded, "but I won't have him
+shirking. In October he was so serious and quiet that I didn't
+know what to think of him, but at Christmas he was the same dear
+boy he used to be. Didn't you think he was just like his old
+self?"
+
+The Colonel thus appealed to, returned her smile. "There were
+moments," he gravely replied, "when I doubted whether either one
+of you was more than sixteen."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+IN THE VAULTS
+
+
+When Win finally appeared at Rose Villa, driven down in a closed
+carriage, the tale he related was of sufficient interest to banish
+from even Roger's mind the resentment he considered but just,
+after his long afternoon with Mr. Fisher. Those hours had been
+profitable, did Roger only choose to admit the fact, for the tutor
+had managed to galvanize into life the dry bones of an epoch in
+history. Roger would not acknowledge it even to himself, but on
+that stormy day he came rather near liking Bill Fish.
+
+"That's a most exciting discovery, Win," said Mrs. Thayne when the
+tale was concluded. "But I'm afraid I agree with Colonel Lisle
+that the chances of finding anything are small, though you will
+have fun exploring. It is very kind of the Colonel and Miss Connie
+to permit such a troop to invade the Manor."
+
+"I think they are just as interested themselves," Win replied.
+"The Colonel was immensely pleased to have that legend confirmed."
+
+Mrs. Thayne looked at him rather wistfully, wondering how much of
+the interest displayed by the Manor family was due to sympathy
+with Win. No doubt they liked him, for people always did. Well,
+she was glad that this unusual experience was coming his way.
+
+"I'm crazy to see that cave!" Frances was saying. "Don't you
+remember, Edith, when we first met Miss Connie on the beach, she
+said something about looking for caves? I suppose she was thinking
+of this one."
+
+"I've been in it," Roger suddenly announced. "Mr. Max took me.
+It's a very decent cave but there's only one place where a box
+could be hidden, on a sort of ledge above the water. We climbed up
+and if there had been so much as a snitch of a chest about, it
+couldn't have escaped us."
+
+"You've been _in_ the cave?" demanded Frances, pouncing upon him.
+"When did Mr. Max take you? Where were the rest of us? Why didn't
+you tell us?"
+
+Roger looked uncomfortable. He had never mentioned that
+expedition, not even to his mother during a very serious
+conversation on the sin of truancy.
+
+"Oh, I met him on the cliff," he said evasively. "He showed me the
+cave and we went swimming. He is a corking swimmer."
+
+"But why didn't you tell us about it?" persisted Frances.
+
+Roger saw no way out. Being a truthful individual he blurted forth
+the facts.
+
+"Because Mr. Max told me not to. He said it wasn't safe and he was
+afraid you girls would go fooling around and get caught by the
+tide. It isn't a fit place for girls, either!" he added largely.
+
+"It is!" retorted the exasperated Frances. "If it wasn't, Miss
+Connie wouldn't have been there."
+
+"I'd wager that Miss Connie did everything Mr. Max did," chuckled
+Win. "But the Colonel said to-day that the cave was out of the
+question so far as any hidden chest was concerned,--that it
+couldn't have escaped discovery all these years. I don't really
+expect to find anything, Mother, but it will be great fun to look.
+I've always wanted to search for hidden treasure, you know. And
+Miss Connie seemed as interested as I was. She has appointed next
+Wednesday afternoon to explore the vaults. We are all to come at
+three and stay for tea afterwards. At first she suggested that we
+have it in the cellars, said it would be nice and cobwebby and
+befitting a treasure hunt, but then she remembered that Yvonne was
+afraid of spiders and wouldn't fancy taking the tea things down,"
+he ended with a laugh.
+
+Win was tired that evening and went upstairs early. When Roger
+clattered into the adjoining room half an hour later, his brother
+called.
+
+"Oh, you, Roger," he said, "come in here a jiff."
+
+With a terrific yawn, Roger appeared in the doorway. Win was in
+bed, a lighted lamp on a table by his pillow.
+
+"Could I get down to that cave?" he asked.
+
+"You could get down," Roger remarked judicially. "It's rather
+steep but there's only one bad rock. Still," he added, "if you
+waited till the tide was even lower, yon could walk round that.
+When we came back from our swim, that bit of cliff was out of
+water. It would be some tug crawling up, but you could take it
+easy."
+
+"I'd give a good deal to get down there," said Win thoughtfully.
+"How was it inside? Much climbing? Any place where a box could be
+tucked out of sight?"
+
+Roger proceeded to describe the interior of the cave, arousing
+Win's interest still more.
+
+"I don't suppose there's hide nor hair of that chest around," he
+admitted, "but all the same, I want to take a look. The tide is
+full every morning now and it will be the end of the week before
+we can get down. As soon as we can, I wish you'd do the pilot
+act."
+
+"Oh, I'll show you," assented Roger, again yawning prodigiously.
+"I don't take any special stock in this hidden chest, but the cave
+is fine and I'll like to take a whack at the Manor cellars. Are
+you going to burn that lamp all night?"
+
+"I am going to read for a while," said his brother, taking a book
+from under his pillows. "Shut the door into your room if it annoys
+you."
+
+"It doesn't," answered Roger. "I can see to undress by it better
+than with my candle. Ridiculous to have only candles in bedrooms!
+Mother would give me Hail Columbia if I read in bed the way you
+do."
+
+Win suppressed a sigh. "Mother knows I read only when I can't
+sleep," he said shortly. "You may not believe it, but I'd much
+rather sleep."
+
+Wednesday afternoon found an expectant quartette walking up the
+Manor road, slowly because Win paused occasionally to regain
+breath, but there were so many lovely things to look at that no
+delay seemed irksome. To begin with were fascinating cottages with
+neat little box-edged gardens and straw-thatched roofs; curious
+evergreen trees with stiff jointed branches known locally as
+monkey-puzzles; there were pretty children, some of whom waved
+hands of recognition; there were skylarks singing in the blue
+above, their happy notes falling like musical rain; there were big
+black and white magpies and black choughs, rooks and corbies, now
+known to the young people by their English names. And always there
+were glimpses of the ever-changing, changeless sea.
+
+Roger, who had gradually forged ahead, remained leaning over a low
+cottage wall until the others came up. In the yard sat a woman
+milking one of the pretty, soft-eyed Jersey cows, but what held
+Roger's fascinated attention was her milk-pail.
+
+Instead of the ordinary tin receptacle familiar to Roger during
+country summers, she had an enormous copper can with a fat round
+body, rather small top and handle at one side like a bloated milk-
+jug. Over the top was tied loosely a piece of coarse cloth and on
+this rested a clean sea shell. Streams of milk directed into the
+shell slowly overflowed its edges to strain through the cloth and
+subside gently into the can.
+
+"That's something of a milk pail," observed Roger approvingly.
+
+"It's just like the hot-water jugs Annette brings in the morning,"
+said Frances, "only ten times bigger. Wouldn't it be lovely for
+goldenrod and asters? I'm going to ask Mother to buy one."
+
+"Pretty sight you'll be walking up the dock at Boston with that on
+your arm," jeered Roger. "It will never go in any trunk and you'll
+have to carry it everywhere you go. You needn't ask me to lug it,
+either."
+
+"It can be crated and sent that way," said Frances calmly.
+
+"Those hot-water jugs make me tired," Roger went on as they
+continued their walk. "I'm sick to death of having a quart of
+lukewarm water in a watering-pot dumped at my door every morning.
+Think of the hot water we have at home, gallons and gallons of it,
+steaming, day or night!"
+
+Edith looked politely incredulous. "How can that be?" she asked.
+"Do you keep coals on the kitchen fire all night?"
+
+"Coals!" snorted Roger. "All we have to do is to turn a faucet and
+that lights a heater and the water runs hot as long as you leave
+it turned on. No quart pots for us!"
+
+"But surely," said Edith, "only very wealthy people can have
+luxuries like that."
+
+"We're not made of money but we have it," retorted Roger. "Even
+workmen have hot-water heaters in their houses."
+
+From Edith's face it was plain that she frankly didn't believe him
+and Win tried to make matters better.
+
+"You see, Edith," he explained, "it is much more difficult in the
+United States to get satisfactory servants and so we have all
+sorts of clever mechanical devices that make it easier to manage
+with fewer maids."
+
+Edith's brow cleared. "Oh, I see," she said. "I thought there must
+be some reason. Of course, if we needed them, we would have such
+arrangements in England."
+
+"England," declared Roger bluntly, "in ways of living is about two
+hundred years behind the United States!"
+
+"Roger!" exclaimed the shocked Frances.
+
+"Cut it out!" ordered Win.
+
+"It's true, anyway," retorted the annoyed Roger, "and there's
+another thing. We licked England for keeps in the Revolutionary
+War!"
+
+"Only because you were English yourselves!" flashed Edith before
+Roger's scandalized family could remind him of his forgotten
+manners.
+
+This retort disconcerted Roger and delighted Win.
+
+"You've hit the nail on the head, Edith," he declared approvingly.
+"England could never have been beaten except by her own sons. And
+England's navy has always ruled the seas."
+
+"How about Dewey wiping out the Spanish fleet at Manila?" demanded
+Roger still huffily,
+
+"That reminds me," said Win coolly. "I believe it was an English
+admiral who backed Dewey up at Manila when the Germans tried to
+butt in. After that battle somebody wrote a poem about it and
+wrote the truth, too. This is what he said:
+
+  "'Ye may trade by land, ye may fight by land,
+    Ye may hold the land in fee;
+    But go not down to the sea in ships
+    To battle with the free;
+    For England and America
+    Will keep and hold the sea!'"
+
+As Win concluded, Edith's high color lessened and Roger looked
+less pugnacious. Presently, each stole a sly glance at the other,
+both were caught in the act and simultaneously laughed. So the
+party reached the Manor without disruption by the way.
+
+Constance, with a soft green sweater over her frock, came to meet
+them.
+
+"All ready for the fray? Leave your hats in the hall. You will
+need your woollies for we are going where sunlight never comes.
+There's good store of candles and two lanterns. Anything else
+needed, Win?"
+
+"A hammer perhaps," suggested Win. "We may want to sound walls."
+
+"A hammer there shall be," and Constance rang the bell to order
+it. "Dad says he will come down if we make any startling
+discovery, but being an elderly person, he's a bit shy of damp."
+
+Provided with lights and the hammer, the gay party started, filing
+through a kitchen so fascinating with its red-bricked floor and
+shining copper cooking utensils that Fran found it hard to pass.
+Several maids and a jolly cook smiled on them as they vanished
+down the cellar stairs.
+
+"I suppose you want to see the oldest part of the Manor vaults,"
+Connie said to Win as she led the way with a candle in a brass
+reflector. "We shall come back through here."
+
+To Edith and Frances it seemed that they traversed numberless dark
+rooms, dry but chilly, some stored with vegetables and barrels,
+while others were empty or showed dusky apparitions of old lumber.
+Constance stopped at last.
+
+"We are under the library now, Win. This is the original cellar
+and you can see how much rougher the workmanship is than in the
+newer parts."
+
+Walls were rough and floor uneven, indeed, a part of it was
+composed of an outlying ledge of the Jersey granite. Obedient to
+suggestion, Roger and the girls began to inspect the walls for
+traces of some former exit; Roger by himself, the girls, rather
+fearfully, together. Win stood looking at the ledge in the floor.
+
+"That settles there being any hiding-place underneath," he
+remarked.
+
+"Yes," said Connie, "but the paper said 'beyond the walls,' you
+know. So wouldn't it more likely be in one of the cellars not
+built at that time?"
+
+"Well, probably," assented Win. "But I was looking at the way this
+rock runs." He produced a pocket-compass. "It's much thicker at
+this end and the direction is approximately north and south. What
+is to the east, Miss Connie?"
+
+"Nothing at all. That wall is still the outer one."
+
+"And the wall farthest from the water?" asked Win quickly.
+
+Constance nodded.
+
+"Then it is the western wall I want," said Win, turning toward it.
+
+Somewhat mystified, Connie watched him make a minute examination,
+tapping with the hammer on its entire length.
+
+"I suspect that it's frightfully thick," she said as he stopped,
+looking disappointed.
+
+"What is on the other side?" he inquired. "Is this whole partition
+now included in the house?"
+
+Constance led the way to the opposite side of the wall. There lay
+a large apartment, dimly lighted, but of better workmanship and
+finish. Win went immediately to the eastern side of this cellar
+and bestowed upon the partition stones the same minute inspection.
+
+"This wall must really be several feet through," he observed to
+the watching Constance.
+
+"Probably. But I don't see, Win, what you are trying to get at."
+
+"I hardly know myself, Miss Connie. It's just an idea I had. This
+would have been the wall nearest the cave. You see I'm not used to
+having a cave as a sort of household annex, so I can't help
+thinking it may figure yet in this business."
+
+Connie shook her head. "Perhaps it did once," she said. "Only that
+cave is more or less common property; many people know of it. We
+can be sure of one thing; that nothing will be found in it now.
+How about this floor?"
+
+Win left the wall to inspect by aid of his lantern the huge,
+roughly-squared blocks forming the cellar floor. Damp, dark and
+numerous they showed under the light.
+
+"It's possible that any one might conceal some cavity," said
+Connie. "But that one would surely differ in some way from the
+others. Let us spread out and inspect them. Anybody who finds a
+flag in any way peculiar, speak."
+
+Constance herself began to peer at the stone flooring, not at all
+because she expected to find anything in the least unusual, but
+because she did not want disappointment to fall upon Win too
+quickly. If he really searched thoroughly, he would be better
+satisfied to acknowledge the quest as useless.
+
+Among the many scenes those centuries-old walls had looked upon,
+it is a question whether they had witnessed so gay a sight as the
+five young people, wandering slowly up and down the uneven floor,
+looking for some stone raised higher or sunken lower than the
+others, more carefully fitted; perhaps, though this could scarcely
+be hoped, provided with an iron ring for a handle.
+
+Nothing happened. No two of the many flags were alike, yet none
+seemed of sufficient distinction to mark it as worth further
+investigation. All looked as though they had never been moved.
+
+The other and more recent cellars received scanty attention. Of
+lesser age, they were also cleaner, drier and better lighted.
+
+"Our adventure seems fruitless" sighed Connie as they stood at
+last among bins and bottles near the kitchen stairs. "Why, where
+is Win?"
+
+Both Frances and Roger started back, ashamed to have forgotten him
+if only for a moment. Suppose poor Win had had one of his attacks
+alone back there in that shadow-filled vault!
+
+Win was found in the original cellar of the old Manor, not pacing
+the floor or tapping the stones, but meditatively staring at one
+of its walls, not the one he had devoted so much attention to, but
+the northern boundary.
+
+"What luck?" asked Connie as they came in, relieved at sight of
+him.
+
+"None," said Win, turning to her with curiously bright eyes. "But,
+Miss Connie, do you think your father would show me those plans
+again!"
+
+"Why, of course he will. Has some idea struck you?"
+
+"I don't quite know," said Win. "But I should like to see the
+plans and perhaps some other day, you'll let me come down here
+again for a few moments."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+THE HAUNTED ROOM
+
+
+"There is a letter for you, Miss Edith," said Nurse as the girls
+came in from school, the next Saturday. "It is for Miss Frances,
+too."
+
+"For us both?" exclaimed Frances. "Where from?"
+
+"Pierre brought it from the Manor," replied Nurse.
+
+"I can't get over there being no telephones in the houses here,"
+remarked Frances, snatching off her hat. "Imagine having to send a
+man with a note instead of just taking down a receiver and
+talking. Not to have telephones is so very English."
+
+"The English don't hold much with new inventions, Miss," Nurse
+agreed. "What was good enough for those before us does us very
+well."
+
+"I know it!" sighed Fran, "but think of the _convenience_ of a
+telephone."
+
+Edith was holding a dainty square note bearing the inscription:
+
+  "Miss Edith Pearce,
+   Miss Thayne,
+   Rose Villa.
+   A la main de Pierre."
+
+"From Miss Connie, of course," said Edith delightedly. Each took a
+corner of the enclosed card and with several little squeals of
+amused pleasure, Frances read it aloud.
+
+  "Miss Lisle presents her compliments to Miss Pearce and Miss
+   Thayne and requests them to grant her the favor of attending
+   a meeting of the Society for the Suppression of Ghosts to be
+   held in the haunted room of Laurel Manor this evening at ten.
+
+   Notes:
+
+  Dinner 7:30.
+  Beds provided at 9:45 (Ghost _not_ guaranteed to appear).
+  Very best nighties because of looking pretty for spooks.
+  Breakfast any old hour."
+
+Screaming with delight, Edith ran to find Estelle, Frances for her
+mother.
+
+"But I don't know that I want you to sleep in a room that has the
+reputation of being haunted, Edith," protested Estelle. "Will Mrs.
+Thayne permit Frances to go?"
+
+"Oh, Sister, there's some joke about it," pleaded Edith. "There
+must be, because Miss Connie always laughs whenever the ghost is
+mentioned. And would her father let her sleep in that room if it
+was anything to frighten people? Oh, Star, it will be such fun!"
+
+Up-stairs, Frances was besieging her amused mother. Two minutes
+later, the girls met in the hall, dancing with glee, for each
+might go were the other permitted.
+
+"Dinner at the Manor, too!" sighed Frances. "What bliss!"
+
+Neither Estelle nor Mrs. Thayne had much peace from then until it
+was time to start. Finally the hour arrived and the family
+assembled in the hall to see them off, Win interested and Roger
+openly envious. "I'd like a chance at that ghost just once," he
+vowed. "I'd settle him."
+
+"Perhaps later, Miss Connie will invite you boys," said Edith.
+"Why, here's Pierre. Oh, he's come for our bags."
+
+To have a servant sent for their light luggage again struck
+Frances as most charmingly English, and two very happy girls waved
+farewell to Rose Villa as they turned out of the terrace.
+
+In the great hall of the Manor, Constance greeted them,
+ceremoniously enough, but with mysterious smiles and twinkles. In
+person she conducted them to a pretty guest-room near her own
+apartments.
+
+"We won't invade the ghost's domain until time for bed," she
+announced gayly. "You'll find a bath adjoining and would you like
+Paget to do your hair or fasten your dinner frocks?"
+
+"We will help each other," said Edith, as full of twinkles as
+Connie herself.
+
+"Then I will dress and come for you in about half an hour."
+
+"Isn't Miss Connie the dearest thing!" said Edith enthusiastically
+as the door closed. "I never saw anybody just like her before."
+
+"Mother thinks her charming," replied Frances, brushing her curly
+hair. "Edith, do you suppose we shall ever know the truth about
+that story of the Italian prince?"
+
+"It doesn't seem as though it were true," observed Edith. "Or at
+least, as though she cared very much if she had to break her
+engagement, for she is always so gay and happy."
+
+The face that was looking just then from the mirror in Connie's
+room did not precisely correspond to these adjectives, but the
+young mistress of the Manor was the daughter of a brave soldier
+and the descendant of a long line of gallant gentlemen. Those slow
+weeks since Christmas that Constance crowded with gayety were
+bringing gradual healing. The heart under the fluffy frock she
+slipped on to-night was not so heavy as the one under the white
+gown worn that day when she stood by Win in the Manor library and
+watched the boat for St. Malo leave the harbor.
+
+Frances and Edith were ready when she came for them, also prettily
+dressed in white.
+
+"Nice little English flappers," Constance remarked approvingly.
+"Why, what is the matter with Frances?"
+
+"I don't know what a flapper is," confessed Frances, sure however,
+that it could be nothing very dreadful.
+
+Constance laughed and patted the brown cheek. "Merely a jolly
+little English school girl with her hair down her back. Yours is
+tidily braided but Edith looks the typical flapper."
+
+She took a hand of each and three abreast they went down to the
+hall where Colonel Lisle was standing in a soldierly attitude
+before the fire. He greeted them with charming courtesy, offered
+Fran his arm and conducted her to the dining-room.
+
+Both girls were supremely happy, Edith quietly so, Frances fairly
+radiating enjoyment in the stately room with its fine old
+portraits and windows open to admit the sweet odors of myrtle and
+daffodils.
+
+"Don't think the Island winters are all as mild as this," the
+Colonel was saying as Yvonne removed the soup plates. "I have seen
+both snow and hail in Jersey and sometimes we have extremely cold
+weather. But you were asking, Frances, why French is the official
+language here. The Channel Islands came to the English crown with
+William the Conqueror, and have always remained one of the crown
+properties. So while the islanders are English they have French
+blood in their veins and each island has retained its peculiar
+historic customs, the official use of French being one. When
+Normandy was regained by France, the islands remained with England
+and though Jersey was frequently attacked and sometimes invaded by
+the French they never held more than a portion of it temporarily.
+Indeed, so much was a Norman or French invasion feared, that the
+islanders inserted in the Litany an additional petition: 'From the
+fury of the Normans, good Lord, deliver us!'"
+
+"We have seen the tablet in the Royal Square, marking the spot
+where Major Pierson fell in the battle of Jersey," said Edith, who
+shared Win's liking for history.
+
+"Ah, in 1781. That was the last French invasion. Speaking of the
+Royal Square," the Colonel went on, "there is a curious custom
+connected with the Royal Court there, that might interest you. Any
+person with a grievance relating to property has a right to come
+into a session of the court and call aloud upon Rollo the Dane.
+The Cohue Royale,--the Court,--_must_ listen and _must_ heed. That
+is a very ancient relic of Norman rule in the Island. Oh, no, it
+is seldom resorted to. One does not lightly call Prince Rollo to
+one's aid. That is the final appeal when all other justice fails."
+
+Yvonne, who was waiting upon the table, reappeared from a brief
+absence with a beaming face.
+
+"It is Monsieur Max who arrives," she said confidentially to
+Constance.
+
+"Max!" exclaimed Connie. "Why, how nice! Sha'n't he come directly,
+Dad? Tell him not to dress, Yvonne."
+
+"By all means, tell him to come as he is," said the Colonel, his
+face lighting with pleasure at this news.
+
+"Pardon, m'sieur," said Yvonne. "Monsieur Max already hastens to
+his room and says the dinner shall not delay, that he shall be
+fast,--ver' queeck."
+
+"Max can be fast," said Constance smiling. "Well, we will dawdle
+over our fish. I never thought of his coming," she went on,
+watching Yvonne as she deftly laid another place beside Frances.
+"This must be one of the week-ends he promised. I wonder why he
+didn't warn us?"
+
+"I suppose there was no time to do so," said the Colonel. "Max
+knows he is welcome at any hour."
+
+Max was "queeck." The fish was only just finished when he came
+quietly into the room, dressed for dinner and looking not in the
+least as though he had recently stepped from a steamer. Edith and
+Frances watched eagerly. If they were still in deep ignorance
+concerning Miss Connie's Italian prince, this was surely their
+chance to discover how matters stood between their adored little
+lady and Mr. Max.
+
+Disappointment awaited them, for nothing could have been more
+commonplace than the greeting exchanged. Even the fancy of
+fourteen years could not construe Constance's "Hello, old boy!"
+and Max's nonchalantly offered hand into the slightest foundation
+for a romance. So far as outward appearances went Max was much
+more affectionate towards the Colonel, who did not disguise his
+marked pleasure at seeing him.
+
+With gay words for both girls, the newcomer slid into his seat.
+"I'm as hungry as a hunter, Connie," he announced. "Soup, Yvonne?
+Anything and everything that's going. Oh, it was rather a rough
+crossing, but it merely gave me an appetite. Where are the boys?
+Couldn't they come to this exclusive dinner? Or am I butting in
+myself?"
+
+"You are," replied Constance mischievously, "but for Dad's sake,
+we will forgive you. The boys are not here for the simple reason
+that they were not invited. Having fortified ourselves with strong
+meat, the girls and I are going to brave the Manor ghost to-
+night."
+
+Darkness had fallen and with it a sense of the eerie over Fran.
+She was distinctly relieved to hear Max laugh at this announcement.
+
+"Do you really want to see the ghost?" he asked, turning to her.
+
+"Crazy to," was Fran's prompt reply. "I wouldn't dare stay alone
+in that room, but with Miss Connie and Edith, I sha'n't be afraid.
+Indeed, I want dreadfully to see the ghost."
+
+"You know yourself, Max, that it doesn't materialize every time it
+is invoked," began Constance.
+
+"I know it," said Max. "I only wanted to ascertain how keen the
+spook-hunters are. I slept in that room once for two weeks when
+the house was full and became much attached to his ghost-ship."
+
+"So I told the girls," replied Constance with equal gravity.
+
+Edith and Frances were looking at each other in puzzled
+bewilderment but Max suddenly changed the subject. His eye had
+fallen upon Grayfur, the big cat that had purred himself into the
+room in the shelter of Yvonne's skirts.
+
+"Hello, old chap!" he said, snapping his fingers. "Do you like
+cats, Frances?"
+
+"No," confessed Frances. "I love dogs. Edith is the one who likes
+pussies. She is always bringing stray kittens home."
+
+For some reason this statement seemed to amuse Max. To the
+surprise of the girls, he and Constance exchanged a smile.
+
+Ten o'clock struck before Edith and Frances found themselves,
+after a happy evening, again in the pretty guest-room.
+
+"Miss Connie, I am afraid you weren't ready to come up," said
+thoughtful Edith. "Didn't you want to stop longer with your father
+and Mr. Max?"
+
+"Max doesn't leave until Tuesday morning," Constance replied. "Dad
+will love to have him all to himself for a good talk and smoke,
+and if Max has anything especial to say to me, there will be
+plenty of opportunities. I'm quite glad to come up."
+
+When she came for them, the girls were ready and the little
+procession started, three kimonoed figures each bearing a lighted
+candle along the echoing halls to the haunted room above the
+library. Electricity had not trailed its illuminating coils above
+the first floor of the house so the big apartment looked spooky
+and shadowy enough, the candles placed on the mantel, quite lost
+in immense distances. Three white cots stood side by side in its
+centre.
+
+"First, we will fasten the door securely," said Constance, suiting
+the action to the word. "Then we will take this electric torch and
+look about a bit."
+
+Careful inspection showed the room undoubtedly tenantless, the
+handsome old-fashioned furniture offering no hiding-place for any
+intruder. Like the library below, its walls were of paneled oak,
+with three large portraits set into the wood-work. One, a Lisle of
+Queen Elizabeth's time, looked down benignly, attired in doublet
+and ruff.
+
+"Miss Connie, how shall we know what to look for or expect?" asked
+Frances when the three were settled in their beds, lights out and
+the room illuminated only by the moon.
+
+"It wouldn't be wise to tell you," said Constance mysteriously.
+"All I'll say is that it is nothing at all disturbing or
+frightful. The few people who have seen or heard anything never
+knew at the time that it was a ghost."
+
+"But you will tell us in the morning?" asked Edith.
+
+"Yes," replied their hostess. "I will tell you then, whether you
+see anything or not, and very likely you will not. But if you want
+to have the creeps and would truly enjoy them, I'll tell you
+something that really happened to me once in Italy."
+
+"Oh, do, do!" begged both girls in unison. "That would be simply
+perfect," added Edith, sitting up in bed, her fair hair floating
+about her shoulders and turning her more than ever into the
+likeness of an angel.
+
+"Some years ago, when I was about your age," began Constance
+slowly, "Dad and Mother and I were traveling in southern Italy,
+and Max was with us. He was with us a great deal, you know. We
+stopped one night at an old hotel that had once been a monastery,
+though it was different from the usual monasteries because it was
+a place where sick monks came to be cured and to rest.
+
+"The location was wonderful, on a cliff overlooking the sea and
+though the place had been altered for the purposes of a hotel, it
+was still a good bit churchly. The partitions between the cells
+had been knocked out and additions built, but the hotel dining-
+room was the old refectory with stone walls and floor, and the
+wonderful garden was much as the monks left it. Such roses you
+never saw and such climbing vines and flowering trees. Oh, there's
+no place like Italy!"
+
+Constance stopped. The moonlight falling across her bed touched
+her face into almost unearthly beauty.
+
+"We had connecting rooms that night," she went on. "Dad and Mother
+took the corner one with two beds. Next was a tiny room where I
+was to sleep and Max's was beyond mine. All were originally cells
+opening on a terrace, covered with roses and passion-flowers and
+looking down to the sea, which was shining with little silver
+ripples.
+
+"We'd had an especially happy day and I was so keyed up with
+enjoyment that I couldn't go to sleep right away, but lay looking
+out at the flowers and the waves. Mother went through to see that
+Max was all right and then came back to kiss me. She closed the
+door into his room, but left open the one from mine into hers.
+
+"I remember hearing Mother and Dad laugh a little about something
+and I suppose I went to sleep, because I woke very suddenly with a
+start, all awake in a minute."
+
+Connie paused, this being the proper moment for a thrill. "What do
+you think I saw?" she asked impressively.
+
+"Oh, I can't imagine!" gasped Frances, shivering in delighted
+anticipation. "Do go on!"
+
+"Have you chills down your spine!" laughed Constance. "In the
+moonlight right beside my bed, I saw a monk, dressed in white, the
+usual robe of the Dominicans. He had a wise, kind face, with a
+pleasant expression, and as I looked at him, he took my wrist very
+gently, and put his finger on my pulse."
+
+"Oh-h!" said Edith, pulling the covers about her more tightly.
+"Oh, Miss Connie, what did you do?"
+
+"That frightened me," said Connie. "Up to that time, I noticed
+only his pleasant, gentle look, but it seemed as though a bit of
+ice touched me and I gave a scream that brought Mother and Dad up
+standing. Of course, when they came hurrying in, nobody was
+visible. I made a big fuss, presumably because I wanted to be
+petted and coddled.
+
+"I told them about the monk and Dad at once thought that Max had
+been playing a joke on me. He stepped into Max's room, intending
+to be severe, but Max was sound asleep and besides, the door into
+his room squeaked so that he couldn't possibly have opened it
+without waking us all.
+
+"Then they said I had the nightmare. Perhaps I did," said
+Constance with a smile, "but I can see yet the kindly face of that
+old monk. I didn't want to stay in my room, so Dad told me to go
+in with Mother and he'd take my bed. We all settled ourselves
+again.
+
+"I was asleep or nearly so, feeling so comfy and safe in my bed
+close to Mother's when suddenly she sat up straight and said
+'Richard!' in such an odd, startled tone. I woke and heard poor
+Dad piling out of bed again to come into our room. Mother sat
+there looking very troubled and holding one wrist in the other
+hand. She didn't say anything more,--neither of them did,--but I
+knew perfectly well that the old monk had been feeling her pulse."
+
+"And what happened in the morning?" demanded Frances breathlessly.
+
+"Nothing at all," said Constance cheerfully. "In the morning
+everything was beautiful and lovely as in no other country but
+Italy. Mother and I merely agreed that we had an odd dream. We did
+not stay a second night, for we were on our way back to Rome."
+
+"Did you ever hear anything more about the monk?" asked Edith.
+
+"Years after," said Connie dreamily, "we met some Americans in
+Switzerland who told us of a similar experience in this hotel.
+Later, I learned that Dad found out at the time that the place was
+reputed to be haunted by an old monk physician who turns up at
+intervals and feels people's pulses, and is often seen pottering
+about the garden in broad daylight. Monks are such a common sight
+in Italy that the hotel guests stop and converse with him,
+thinking him a gardener and never suspecting that he is a ghost."
+
+"But the Manor ghost isn't like that?" asked Edith, who wanted
+reassurance.
+
+"Not a bit," said Constance. "As for that, there was nothing so
+very frightful or repellent about the monk. Don't you think we
+should go to sleep now and give his spookship his innings?"
+
+The girls agreed and silence fell over the big room with its three
+white beds. Outside the open casements a vine waved within Fran's
+line of vision, tapping gently against a window pane.
+
+Presently a slight sound caught Fran's wakeful ear, as of steps on
+a somewhat unfamiliar stair where it was necessary to grope one's
+way. Touching Edith's shoulder, she sat up in bed. They had
+entered the haunted room by a door now locked, opening on a big
+stone staircase; these steps seemed upon muffled wood.
+
+Next moment there came a sudden convulsive sneeze that sounded in
+her very ear. Frances gasped but Constance sat up laughing.
+
+"No fair!" she exclaimed.
+
+For a second there was absolute silence, then somebody laughed,
+extremely close at hand, though yet behind a partition. The laugh
+was followed by the soft sound of retreating footsteps.
+
+"What happened, Miss Connie?" begged Edith.
+
+"No ghost," said their hostess merrily. "I had forgotten. That was
+clever of Max."
+
+Silence again followed for a period, succeeded by the sound of
+music in the garden below the windows, soft and very sweet.
+
+"Oh, is _that_ the ghost?" demanded Frances in great excitement.
+
+"Your mother will bless me for letting you stop awake all night,"
+said Constance. She sat up, wrapped a white robe about her and
+stuck her feet into slippers. Upon the music came the sudden
+unearthly miaow of a cat.
+
+The noise sounded directly in the room and all three girls jumped.
+Constance laughed again.
+
+"I might have known Max did not come into that passage for
+nothing," she sighed. "Where's that electric torch?"
+
+Having turned on the flash-light, Connie approached the large oil
+painting set into one side of the gloomy room, its base about a
+foot above the floor. She touched a knob on its frame and the
+portrait became a door opening outward and revealing a narrow,
+dusty winding stair descending to the floor below. On its top step
+sat the big cat, just opening its mouth for another howl.
+
+"Come in, Grayfur," said Constance. "Max brought you, didn't he?
+If he hadn't sneezed and given himself away, he'd have opened the
+door a crack and let you in."
+
+"Is it a secret stair?" asked Frances, her eyes big with
+excitement. "Where does it go? Wouldn't Roger be crazy over it?"
+
+"We will let him go up it," answered Connie, swinging the portrait
+into place again. "The passage comes out below in the library. Max
+thought he would provide one ghost anyway."
+
+Putting the cat into the hall, she locked the door again and then
+stuck her pretty head from the window.
+
+"Max," she said severely, addressing the unseen musician, "you are
+spoiling your fiddle and breaking your promise. You said you
+wouldn't be silly. Go to bed now like a good boy."
+
+The fiddle responded with two ear-splitting squawks.
+
+"Stop it!" commanded Constance. "There goes a string and it serves
+you quite right. You'll have the bobbies coming to investigate if
+you don't leave off."
+
+The unappreciated serenader appeared squelched by this threat, for
+complete silence followed.
+
+"Nothing more is at all likely to happen tonight," said Constance,
+coming back to bed. "And I hope Max will go properly to his room.
+Now go to sleep, girlies, and in the morning, I'll tell you how
+the Manor ghost disports itself."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+THE MANOR GHOST
+
+
+In spite of a firm intention to remain awake, Frances soon fell
+into quiet slumber and knew nothing more until the next morning.
+February dawns in England are dark, but when she finally opened
+her eyes, the room was faintly lighted by the coming sun and her
+watch told her that it was after eight.
+
+Edith still seemed asleep, but from the bed at the left, Connie
+smiled back at her. For some reason known only to herself, their
+gay little hostess had decreed that Frances should take the centre
+bed.
+
+"Awake?" she whispered. "How's Edith? Is she still off?"
+
+As though she heard her name, Edith stirred, turned over and
+finally rose on one elbow.
+
+"Did you sleep well?" asked Constance. "We needn't get up unless
+you like. When we are ready, Yvonne is to bring us breakfast in my
+sitting-room. We'll wash and put on boudoir caps and eat _en
+negligee_."
+
+At this delightful programme both girls became wide awake in an
+instant.
+
+"And you will tell us about the ghost?" asked Frances.
+
+"I will," replied Constance, sitting up and gathering her pretty
+kimono about her, a lovely white Japanese crepe embroidered in
+gold with fire-eating dragons of appalling size. One stretched
+across the front as she fastened the folds. The girls also rose
+and put on their dressing-gowns. Unlocking the door, Constance
+looked into the hall.
+
+"I'll just see that the coast is clear before the procession
+forms," she remarked. "Daddy's rooms are down-stairs but Max's is
+on our way. I'm quite sure though that he and Dad are already out,
+for Dad likes to attend early service and Max has probably gone
+with him like a dutiful young man."
+
+As the three started, Edith turned to glance searchingly around.
+
+"What are you looking for?" asked Frances.
+
+"For the pussy," replied Edith, hurrying to overtake them. "I
+thought there was one in the room."
+
+"Miss Connie put it out," said Frances, laughing. "Wake up,
+Edith!"
+
+As Edith spoke, Constance stopped to look at her rather oddly,
+then went on quickly.
+
+"When you are ready, come to my sitting-room," she said on
+reaching their door. "It is at the end of this hall."
+
+When the girls appeared ten minutes later, Constance was yet
+invisible. In the sitting-room a table stood before a couch piled
+with pillows, and two cushioned chairs opened luxurious arms.
+
+"Isn't this the dearest room," said Frances appreciatively as she
+settled herself. "I suppose this is Miss Connie's own especial
+place where no one comes without an invitation."
+
+In some respects the room was very unlike the sanctum of the
+average girl. While not lacking in the daintiness bestowed by
+fresh flowers, gay chintz and white draperies, it contained a
+number of objects not often seen in a boudoir. On a teakwood stand
+in one corner, against the background of a valuable Oriental rug
+in shimmering greens and blues, sat a curious Indian idol.
+Constance's desk might once have been used by some Italian
+princess in the days of Dante, and above it hung a beautiful
+silver lamp that could well cause envy in the breast of Aladdin.
+Pictures and ornaments alike spoke of wanderings in distant lands
+and from their unusual individuality indicated a wide range of
+interest in their possessor.
+
+The door into the adjoining bedroom opened and Constance came out
+attired in a lounging-robe that made both girls gasp with
+admiration.
+
+"Oh, Miss Connie," Frances exclaimed, "what a beautiful kimono.
+And what color is it?"
+
+"Guess," said Constance merrily. "For a long time I didn't know
+myself what to call it."
+
+"It isn't blue nor gray," said Edith admiringly.
+
+"Nor green nor violet," added Frances reflectively, "and yet it is
+all of them. I've seen something like it but I can't think what."
+
+"I suppose only an Oriental artist could conceive such a
+combination," said Constance, ringing the bell for Yvonne and then
+curling into a little heap on the couch. "Dad brought it to me
+from Paris and I keep it for very special occasions. I couldn't
+make out what color it was but I loved it the minute I opened the
+box and I knew you girls would. I've thought very seriously of
+having it made into an evening coat, for it is too lovely to be
+used only in my room. But about its color. One day this Christmas
+vacation I was feeling a bit poorly, so I had tea up here and let
+Dad and Max come. I slipped on this robe to receive them in state
+and the minute Max saw it, he told me what it was like. The thing
+is in plain sight."
+
+The girls glanced about the room. Edith's eyes lingered for a
+second on a brass bowl full of blue hyacinths, but passed on.
+
+"I have it!" exclaimed Frances, noticing a slight inclination of
+Connie's fair head toward the open casement. "It's the color of
+the ocean!"
+
+"Right!" said Constance. "The moment Max said so, I knew it. He
+did it very prettily, too, with some remark about the 'lady from
+the sea.' The silk really does change and shade as the water under
+storm and sun."
+
+There came a tap and Yvonne, bearing a most tempting tray, entered
+with a smiling "_Bon jour, mes demoiselles._" Fruit, a fat little
+chocolate pot sending forth a delicious odor, and flanked by
+delicate china and shining silver, whipped cream, marshmallows,
+French rolls, sweet unsalted butter and raspberry jam, made the
+girls feel hungry at the mere sight. Dainty green and white
+snowdrops, tucked here and there by Yvonne's artistic fingers
+added the final touch.
+
+"I think this is the greatest fun," said Frances. "Do you always
+have your breakfast this way?"
+
+"Bless you, no," replied Constance. "This is an occasional Sunday
+morning indulgence. Every other day of the week, I am up, dressed
+and in my right mind to breakfast with my Dad. He'd think the
+world was coming down about his ears if his Connie wasn't there to
+pour his coffee. I warned him that we were going to have a debauch
+this morning and he won't care anyway, because he has Max. What
+did you mean, Edith, about a cat? Did you dream of Grayfur?"
+
+"Why, no, it wasn't Grayfur," said Edith, dropping a marshmallow
+into her chocolate and watching it dissolve. "I thought Mr. Max
+succeeded in carrying out his joke. He must have come back much
+later and put another pussy in from behind the portrait. I woke
+some time in the night, oh, hours after, because the moonlight was
+'way across the room, and sitting in it, washing its face, was the
+prettiest little half-grown kitten. It was a perfect beauty, white
+with a plumy tail. I spoke to it very softly so as not to wake
+either of you, and it looked at me and purred but would not come.
+I watched it chase its tail for a little and then it jumped in a
+big chair and curled itself up to sleep. I suppose it must have
+gone out when the door was opened this morning. May we see it
+again, Miss Connie? It was much prettier than Grayfur. But do tell
+us now about the ghost. We are in such a hurry to hear."
+
+"You know practically all there is to know," said Constance
+whimsically.
+
+Both girls stared at her. "What do you mean!" asked Edith. "Is it
+a joke? Isn't there any ghost?"
+
+"You know better than I do," replied Constance, tasting her
+chocolate critically. "Did you have sugar, Frances? Why, you've
+seen the ghost, Edith, which is more than I can say."
+
+Edith's face was a picture of surprise. "_Seen_ it!" she repeated.
+"Why, I saw nothing at all."
+
+"I told you, didn't I, that the people who saw the ghost never
+knew it at the time? This is the legend. About a century ago, the
+Richard Lisle, then owner of the Manor, married a very charming
+young wife. He was madly in love with her and was inclined to be
+rather jealous. The story runs that he couldn't bear to have her
+lavish affection on anything but him, was jealous of her dog and
+her horse and even of her flower-garden. Winifred Lisle had a
+very pretty white Persian kitten--"
+
+Constance stopped, for Edith's spoon fell with a clatter. "You
+don't mean that darling purry little pussy was the _ghost!"_ she
+exclaimed.
+
+
+"Listen to the story," Constance went on smiling. "Dick Lisle
+objected to even this wee kit since it took some of his Winifred's
+time and attention and he gave orders that it was never to be
+admitted to the room where they spent the evening, presumably the
+library. The kitten disappeared and Winifred mourned for it.
+Months later, its little corpse was found on the secret stairs
+behind the portrait."
+
+"Then Mr. Max didn't put a cat into the room?" asked Frances
+eagerly.
+
+"I think not, unless he took the trouble to bring a white kitten
+with him from Paris. Max is quite capable of doing it for a joke,
+but he could not know, you see, that we were planning to sleep in
+that room last night. And there is no white kitten about the
+Manor."
+
+"Isn't that the oddest story!" said Edith in deep interest. "Why,
+Miss Connie, I'm as sure as I am of anything that I saw that pussy
+playing in the moonlight. It was the sweetest little thing and I
+did wish it would come and cuddle by me in bed. Is it really a
+ghost? How do you account for it?"
+
+"I don't account for it," said Constance. "You can consider it a
+pretty dream if you wish. I never saw it and I have a fancy that
+it is because I am not fond of cats. When Frances said she did not
+like them, I knew that she would not see the little ghost kit
+either, and so I wanted you to take the bed nearest the
+moonlight."
+
+"That's the most interesting thing that ever happened to me," said
+Edith. "I'm so glad I saw it."
+
+"Whether it is imagination or dream, I rather like to think of the
+kitten ghost playing so gayly with its tail on moonlight nights,"
+said Connie. "No, only three or four people have seen it. The room
+is not often used, and like Edith, they supposed it a kitten that
+had somehow got in. Well, is the Manor ghost satisfactory?"
+
+"I think it's the dearest thing I ever heard of," said Edith
+happily. "But do you suppose that Winifred's husband shut it in
+there deliberately?"
+
+"We'll give him the benefit of the doubt. Cats are always poking
+about in odd places. The door in the library may have been open a
+crack and the kit gone in to investigate. Once I accidentally shut
+a kitten into a drawer in the linen closet. Luckily Paget happened
+to open it within an hour and she was surprised enough to find a
+pussy there. Now for the rest of the morning. I heard Frances say
+that she wanted to hear a church service in French just to see
+whether she could follow. If you like, I'll get Max to take us
+into town and we will find a French church to attend."
+
+"That would be lovely," declared Fran enthusiastically. "I really
+believe I could understand quite a little now."
+
+"Thank you, Miss Connie," said Edith. "I'm afraid I ought to go
+home. Fran can stay just as well as not, but Sister depends upon
+me to go to church with her. I always do, you know."
+
+Edith colored and looked uncomfortable, feeling that perhaps she
+was being ungracious.
+
+"You're a good little sister," said Constance quickly. "And you
+would not care so much as Frances because you have always spoken
+French. I imagine Dad will go to St. Aubin's and he'll take you
+home. I'll make Max go with us."
+
+Max was perfectly willing to play escort, but looked dubious when
+Constance declared her intention of stopping at a tiny French
+church just inside the town of St. Helier's. "Have you ever been
+here?" he demanded.
+
+"No," admitted Constance. "Of course we might go to the Convent of
+St. Andre. I forgot, though, they wouldn't let you in. Frances
+only wants to hear a sermon in French and this will answer very
+well."
+
+Max still looked disapproving. "You won't like it," he said. "It's
+a queer, non-conformist sect of some kind. There's a place the
+other side of town where they have the Church of England service
+in French. Let's go there."
+
+"Why not stop here?" persisted Constance. "More exciting when one
+doesn't know what's coming next."
+
+"One may get more than one bargains for," commented Max. "Connie,
+I have a premonition that we'll land in some mess."
+
+Connie made a delightful little face. "Come in," she said to
+Frances. "I was under the impression that we invited Max to escort
+_us._"
+
+When Frances returned home from church, she was distressed to find
+Win in bed.
+
+"He overdid yesterday," said Mrs. Thayne in reply to her anxious
+questioning. "I can't discover exactly what happened, but he and
+Roger were out together and Win walked too far. That's all he will
+admit. No, he isn't as badly off as sometimes, and says he only
+needs a rest. Come up in his room, Fran, to tell your adventures."
+
+To Fran's eyes Win looked decidedly ill when she saw him lying
+against his pillows, but he evaded all inquiries and demanded to
+know about the Manor ghost.
+
+"That wasn't the end of our experiences," Frances went on
+laughing, when the events of the night had been thoroughly
+discussed. "We had a funny time in that little church. Mr. Max
+didn't want to go there in the beginning, but Miss Connie
+insisted. Inside, it didn't look much like a church for it was a
+great bare room, with not many people present. The usher made us
+sit rather far front, so we had a good view of the minister, who
+was a little man with black hair that stood straight up, and his
+manner was very excited.
+
+"The service seemed unusual for different people kept getting up
+and talking. I couldn't understand much and Mr. Max looked annoyed
+and Miss Connie amused. Finally a boy about my age began to speak.
+He wore the oddest vest and trousers of rose-pink sateen plaided
+with purple. We could see distinctly because the minister made him
+come out in front and face the people. Well, the clothes he had on
+were enough to make any one smile, but when he finished speaking,
+the minister bounced out of the pulpit and kissed him on both
+cheeks! He did, honest!" Fran insisted in answer to Roger's
+whistle of incredulity.
+
+"I don't know what would have happened next, for the service was
+really very strange, but when the minister kissed that boy, Mr.
+Max gave a little grunt and took up his hat. I was sitting between
+them, and he leaned forward and said in such a disgusted tone, 'My
+word, Connie, _will_ you come?'
+
+"I think Miss Connie was trying not to laugh but I guess she'd had
+enough herself for she rose and we went out very quietly so as not
+to disturb anybody.
+
+"When we reached the street," Frances went on, "Mr. Max was so
+funny. He didn't say a word, only stalked along looking quite
+cross. Miss Connie sat down on a wall and laughed till she cried.
+Then she told Mr. Max to smile and show his dimple. But he
+wouldn't. I don't see how he could help it when she was so pretty
+and sweet. Well, after she laughed some more, she begged him
+please to look affectionate.
+
+"At that he couldn't help smiling, and then he asked Miss Connie
+if she was ever going to stop getting herself and him into
+scrapes. She called him 'old boy' and said she was sorry,--she
+wasn't really," Fran interpolated with a wise nod,--"and promised
+to stick to the Church of England service ever after. Mr. Max
+inquired how much I understood and when I told him only a little,
+he said it was lucky. That was certainly a very peculiar church,"
+Frances ended reflectively. "I'm quite sure that Mr. Max wanted to
+come out long before we did, and that Miss Connie persisted in
+staying just to tease him."
+
+Win was smiling over his sister's story, but though he evinced
+interest both in the Manor ghost and in the amusing experience
+Connie had furnished with her little French church, the point that
+most impressed him was Max's presence at the Manor.
+
+"I wish I could see him," he observed. "I want so much to ask a
+question or two. Did Miss Connie tell him about the paper I found
+and how we explored the vaults and sounded the walls?"
+
+"She did," assented Frances. "We talked about it after dinner. Mr.
+Max was as interested as could be and said he was going down
+himself to take a look."
+
+"Mother," said Win suddenly. "I really need to see him. Don't you
+believe he'd come in for a minute if he knew I was used up so I
+couldn't get to the Manor?"
+
+"Indeed, I do," assented Mrs. Thayne. "Write a note, dear. Roger
+shall take it for you."
+
+Roger, who for some reason haunted his brother's room in a subdued
+mood not at all common to his usual attitude toward life, was very
+willing to act as messenger. Toward night, Max appeared at Rose
+Villa.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+THE DOTTED LINE
+
+
+"Sorry you are laid by, old man," Max said cheerfully as he was
+shown into Win's room. "Better luck soon."
+
+"It's good of you to come," replied Win, grasping the hand so
+cordially offered and relieved to see that the pleasant young face
+bore no expression of the sympathetic pity Win so often read in
+older countenances.
+
+"Well, my being here is as much of a surprise to me as to any
+one," said Max, sitting down by the bed. "On Friday I expected to
+spend my Sunday in Paris. But it chanced that I successfully
+engineered a rather ticklish job for the Embassy, and the Chief
+was pleased. As a figurative pat upon the head he gave me the
+week-end off. You should have seen the way my car went to
+Granville! Jean drove till we were clear of Paris and then I took
+the wheel and things began to hum. From the tail of my eye I could
+see Jean devoutly crossing himself whenever we hit the earth, but
+we made the boat and didn't so much as run down a hen. I did
+wonder that we weren't held up anywhere for exceeding the speed
+limit, but the mystery was explained when we reached the Granville
+pier."
+
+Max stopped with a mischievous laugh. "The Embassy has several
+official machines," he explained, "and of course they are so
+marked they are easily recognizable. I always use my own car, and
+am authorized to sport the Embassy insignia when on official
+business. I forgot to remove it before starting and that was why
+not a single gendarme did more than salute as we tore past. Good
+joke, so long as it ended well, but if we'd come a cropper on the
+way, there'd have been rather a row and Max would have stood for
+an official wigging, to say the least. Lucky for us that nothing
+went wrong. What's done you up, old fellow?"
+
+Win looked at him wistfully. "Just exploring the Manor cave," he
+said with a sigh. "I did so want to see it, and I made Roger take
+me. I managed to get down all right, but it took over an hour to
+climb the cliff. The kid is wild because he thinks he's half-
+killed me."
+
+"Oh, say, that's a shame," said Max. "I wish I'd known that you
+wanted to go. Pierre and I could have rigged a rope somehow and
+helped you get back."
+
+Win's face just then was pitiful. Max's eyes grew very gentle but
+he did not utter one word of sympathy. "I've been led a lively
+pace since I reached the Manor," he went on. "Between Connie's
+ghost hunt and the extraordinary church she chose to attend this
+morning and your discovery in the library, my existence hasn't
+lacked variety. Gay Paris is quiet beside this! But there's
+nothing in the world I'm so keen on as hidden treasure. I'm pretty
+sure I have a special talent for hunting it down. To be sure the
+only time I ever tried, I made a giddy ass of myself and got into
+a jolly mess, but I wonder will I succeed with this. Connie thinks
+you've the tail of an idea. Can't you put me on?"
+
+"That was what I wanted to see you for," replied Win, his self-
+possession quite restored. "Please open the lower drawer of that
+desk. Right on top is a roll of tracing paper."
+
+"Why, this is a copy of the Manor plans," said Max, as he spread
+out the thin sheet.
+
+"Yes," said Win. "Colonel Lisle let me trace them. Tell me, does
+anything about them strike you as odd?"
+
+Max considered the plan carefully. "I can't say it does," he
+admitted after a minute survey. "Give me a lead."
+
+"That dotted line," said Win, pointing to it with Max's pencil,
+"according to Colonel Lisle, marks the path down to the cottages
+on the shore, only the path curves more now than it did when the
+plan was first made. Don't you think it strange that it was the
+_only_ path put on the plans? Even the state driveway isn't
+indicated."
+
+"That, I suppose, wasn't made then."
+
+"But surely," persisted Win, "there was some driveway to the main
+road. Why should this especial path be marked? It couldn't have
+been the most important, even at that time."
+
+"That does seem true," replied Max thoughtfully.
+
+[Illustration: WIN'S PLAN OF THE MANOR CELLARS.]
+
+"Now look at the point where the dotted line comes to the house,"
+Win went on, tracing its course as he spoke. "This is the very
+oldest vault of all, under the library, you know. On the plan, its
+northern wall is continued flush by the northern side of the
+addition made later, and this dotted line runs parallel to it,
+but--it runs _inside_ the foundations."
+
+"So it does," Max agreed. "But isn't that due to clumsy drawing?
+There's an axiom, you know, about it being impossible for two
+bodies to occupy the same space. Two lines couldn't occupy the
+same location on a plan."
+
+"Yes," said Win, "but if this is a _path_, what is it doing
+_inside_ the house?"
+
+There followed a second of silence and then Max gave a low
+whistle. "I'm on," he announced. "Clever reasoning, Win."
+
+"There's another thing, too," said Win, lying flushed and pleased
+against his pillows. "I spent a lot of time on that dividing
+partition wall. I'm sure there is no space in it unless it is so
+thick that even a hollow place wouldn't sound any different. But
+after I looked again at the plans, I saw that what I should have
+put my time on wasn't that wall at all, but the northern one,
+indicated here as parallel to the dotted line. Mr. Max, I'm quite
+certain that the old original cellar extends farther to the north
+than this newer part. I mean that the north wall of the new cellar
+isn't on a line with the old one, not in reality, though here it
+is intended to look so."
+
+"You mean," said Max, bringing intelligent brows to bear on this
+explanation, "that this was an underground passage rather than a
+surface path and that its northern side is the one flush with the
+original cellar?"
+
+"That's exactly it," said Win. "I think there is a passage running
+along outside that northern wall down to the cave and the beach.
+There seems a space on the plan that isn't accounted for in any
+other way, and that explains why this dotted line runs inside the
+foundations."
+
+"But, old chap," said Max kindly, "I know that cave from top to
+bottom. Truly there is no exit. I've spent hours in exploring the
+place."
+
+"But when I was on the ledge at the back, there was a draught of
+fresh warm air from somewhere," Win pleaded. "And Roger said he
+noticed it when you took him there. Behind the ledge is a big pile
+of stones and rubble. Couldn't that air get in somehow?"
+
+"It must, since you felt it," agreed Max sensibly. "If I can
+possibly manage it, I'll make an investigation. But I am booked to
+sail on Tuesday morning. It may have to stand over until the
+Easter holidays. I will take a squint at the cellar though this
+very evening. Did you sound that north wall?"
+
+"No, I didn't," Win admitted. "I spent all my time on the west
+one. Not until I studied the plans again, did it fully dawn on me
+that perhaps that line was a passage instead of a path. If that is
+true, it is the other wall that will bear investigation."
+
+Max still surveyed the plans, his fine young face intent on this
+problem. He glanced up to meet a very wistful look from Win.
+
+"On the whole, let's wait until Easter," he suggested. "Then
+you'll be feeling more fit and can come down in the vaults with
+me."
+
+"I wish you'd inspect that wall," Win replied. "If you find it
+does sound hollow, will Colonel Lisle let us punch a hole?"
+
+"Sure," said Max encouragingly. "I know jolly well he will. Uncle
+Dick will be game for any investigation. Only he'll have to be
+convinced that I'm not pulling his leg. If that north wall
+resounds like a tomb, I'll tow Uncle down to hark for himself.
+Why, man, we're getting on swimmingly! That was a mighty clever
+idea of yours about the dotted line. Connie'll be keen on it too,
+and anyway she owes me one after getting me into such a beastly
+mess as she did to-day. I didn't even use unkind language about it
+either. If the sea is decent tomorrow, I'll trot her down to the
+cave to see where your fresh air comes from."
+
+"Perhaps it can be felt only when the wind is from a certain
+direction," observed Win.
+
+"That's more than likely. Yesterday it was south, wasn't it? Very
+probably it takes a south wind to strike in there. I'm afraid we
+can't hope for that to-morrow because there seems a storm brewing,
+on purpose probably to give me a rough trip on Tuesday."
+
+"Weren't you glad of the chance to come?" asked Win.
+
+"I was," said Max expressively, "not only because I always like to
+get back to the Manor, but because I was pleased with myself to
+think I'd scored with this especial bit of work, a job of
+smoothing down an elderly ass who was inclined to be a trifle
+footy. You see when I decided to go in for the diplomatic service,
+Dad told me that he would use his influence only to get me an
+appointment, a try-out. After that it was up to me; if I received
+promotion it would be because I earned it, not because I was his
+son. He makes me an allowance because one really couldn't manage
+on the salary of an attache, but so far as my profession goes, I
+stand absolutely on my own merits. So Max is feeling proud of
+himself just now!" he added whimsically. "So's my Dad, if my
+telegram reached him."
+
+"He must be proud of you," said Win rather soberly. "I so much
+hope that Roger will condescend to go to Annapolis. You see I
+can't, and Dad would like one of us in the navy."
+
+"Roger will wake up to a sense of his privileges some day," said
+Max. "Do you know, Win, some of the finest work in the world has
+been done by the fellows who were handicapped. Prescott, for
+instance, writing all his histories, blind in one eye and
+sometimes half crazed by pain; Milton, too, dictating to his
+daughters, and Scott, producing so much when he was old and
+burdened with grief and trouble. And Stevenson, who was ill half
+his life."
+
+"But they were geniuses," said Win.
+
+"They were also too courageous in spirit to yield to
+circumstances. To come down to more ordinary people, I think Uncle
+Dick is mighty fine. He is crippled, useless for the work he
+expected to grow old in; he saw his only son die for England. You
+have seen enough of him to know what he is and what he means not
+only to Laurel Manor but to the Island. I respect and admire him
+tremendously and I shall owe much of whatever success I score, to
+him as well as to Dad. There are careers open to you, Win. You are
+clever and have a fine mind. Roger defers to your opinion. Through
+your influence, he may accomplish far more than he might alone."
+
+"I don't amount to very much with Roger. Still, I did make him
+square things with Fisher that day he played truant and went off
+with you," admitted Win with the ghost of a smile. "Mother only
+lectured him for bunking, but I persuaded him to apologize and to
+put in the next Wednesday doing the work he skipped."
+
+"Good for you!" said Max cordially. His gray eyes were very kind
+and friendly as he rose to leave.
+
+"I hope you'll feel more fit to-morrow," he said, shaking hands.
+"If I possibly can, I'll run in and make a report; if not, I'll
+drop a line when I get home to the lurid lights of Paris."
+
+"Shall you drive back with the Embassy insignia on your car?"
+inquired Win smiling. He looked much brighter and happier than
+before his visitor came.
+
+Max laughed. "I fancy not," he said as he gathered hat, gloves and
+riding-crop. "I'm rather anxious to be on my good behavior. No,
+I'll let Jean drive which will be prudently slow, and I'll
+meditate about your hidden chest and the dotted path and other
+things back at the Manor."
+
+"I believe Mr. Hamilton did you more good than the doctor,"
+declared Mrs. Thayne, entering Win's room after his caller had
+mounted Saracen and ridden away. "You look fifty per cent
+brighter."
+
+"He's a crackerjack," said Win briefly. "He's promised to do some
+investigating on his own account and I feel sure that he can
+induce Colonel Lisle to let us try an experiment if it is needed.
+But, Mother, there's something I've been meaning to tell you all
+day, not about the Spanish chest or anything to do with it. You
+know we spoke once of how Miss Estelle reminded us of some one at
+home. This morning instead of sending a servant with my breakfast,
+she brought it herself, and when she was arranging things, I
+remembered whom it is she looks like. It is your friend, Mrs.
+Aldrich."
+
+"Win, you're right," said Mrs. Thayne suddenly. "Estelle _is_ like
+Carrie Aldrich, and not in looks alone, but in manner. Now how can
+that possibly be? Of course it is only a chance resemblance but it
+must exist since you notice it, too. I wonder whether Fran ever
+carried out her intention of asking Edith whether they had any
+relatives in the United States. She spoke of doing so."
+
+"What good would that do, if Mrs. Aldrich is the person Estelle
+resembles?" asked Win. "Haven't you known her all her life?"
+
+"I met her at school," replied his mother, "when we both were
+young girls and then knew her intimately. Of later years, we have
+seen less of each other, though we have always kept up the
+friendship. There seems no possible connection between Carrie
+Aldrich and Estelle and the likeness must be only in our minds.
+They say, you know, that every person in the world has a double
+somewhere."
+
+"I'd like mighty well to be Mr. Max's double if I could only
+choose," muttered Win to himself.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+ROGER THE MAROONED
+
+
+No word came from the Manor the next day, only a big bunch of
+fragrant lilies for Win and some jelly of which Paget alone knew
+the secret recipe. Early Tuesday morning Max's prophesied storm
+arrived in earnest and the young people at Rose Villa saw the
+Granville boat leave her pier amid sheets of driving rain. Her
+decks looked dreary and deserted, for all the passengers were
+inside.
+
+"I suppose Mr. Max is on board for he was obliged to go," observed
+Frances, as the steamer disappeared in low-hanging banks of fog
+drifting continually nearer shore.
+
+"Yes," agreed Win, who was dressed and about, though still looking
+ill. "There will be some word when he gets back to Paris. It
+stormed so yesterday that he probably couldn't go into the cave as
+he planned."
+
+"Life seems very tame after all the interesting things that
+happened last week," sighed Frances, gathering her French grammar
+and other school books. "Rain or no rain, there will be school,
+and English rain seems somehow _wetter_ than American. You'd
+better eat that jelly, Win. According to Nurse, it is the elixir
+of life and warranted to cure every ill known to man."
+
+Win smiled as he watched his sister and Edith down the steps, and
+waved a listless hand as they turned inquiring faces under bobbing
+umbrellas at the end of the terrace. He looked enviously after
+Roger, a tall slim clothespin in black rubber coat and boots,
+sou'wester pulled firmly over his head, tramping sturdily toward
+the beach, evidently on some definite errand. Win would have liked
+mightily to be swinging along with him through the storm, but the
+fun of facing a tempest was not for Win.
+
+For a few moments he stood idly by the window, wondering whether
+Connie knew what Max had possibly discovered in his inspection of
+cave and vaults. Then he turned with a sigh, reminding himself
+that with the weather what it was, and in this land of few
+telephones, there was no chance of hearing anything from the
+Manor.
+
+Gradually the stormy morning passed, somewhat dully for Win, who
+still felt unfit to study or even to occupy himself with a book,
+and lay upon the couch while his mother read aloud.
+
+Frances returned from school, ravenously hungry and quite rosy
+with the rain that had beaten in her face.
+
+"Mother, I am nearly starved!" she announced.
+
+"Why, it is time for luncheon," said Mrs. Thayne, awakening to a
+realization of that fact. "But where is Roger? He can't have taken
+the whole morning just to deliver that message for Estelle."
+
+"He could easily, Mother," said Win. "Why, if I had a chance to
+get out in this storm, I feel sure it would take me forever to do
+the simplest errand. He'll come home when he's hungry."
+
+The gong for luncheon sounded and the three sat down to Annette's
+delicious scallops, daintily creamed in their own big shells, her
+French bread and perfect chocolate. Still Roger did not come.
+
+Nurse took the plates, and brought dessert; fruit, clotted cream
+with plum jam, and a special glass of egg-nog for Win.
+
+"Shall we put Mr. Roger's lunch to the fire?" she asked of Mrs.
+Thayne.
+
+"I don't see why he doesn't come. He can't have gone to the Manor
+and if he had, they would have sent word if he were staying. No,
+you needn't keep it warm, Nurse. Unless he has some very good
+excuse when he comes, he may lunch upon bread and milk. It's
+really very naughty of him to go off like this when he had lessons
+to learn."
+
+"It's queer where he can be," observed Fran. "He started on his
+errand just after Edith and I came out and saw Annette buying
+scallops of the fish-woman. He's crazy about them you know, and he
+asked particularly if they were for luncheon, and told her to be
+sure to get plenty."
+
+"Oh, I don't suppose anything has happened," said Mrs. Thayne
+quietly, for she did not wish Win to worry.
+
+When Roger was still missing half an hour later, Mrs. Thayne
+sought Estelle.
+
+"Whatever can have happened?" said Estelle helplessly. "I can't
+think. Did he have any money?"
+
+"Why, perhaps a few pence, not much anyway," replied Mrs. Thayne.
+"You think he went into St. Helier's and had to walk back? That's
+possible. Fran, it's not storming so hard now. Put on your rain-
+coat and run out to the end of the terrace. Perhaps with the
+field-glasses you can make out whether he is coming down the beach
+or is anywhere in sight."
+
+Frances returned with the report that there was practically no
+beach, owing to the high tide, and no foot-farers on the narrow
+strip that was visible in the fog.
+
+Neither Estelle nor Mrs. Thayne knew what was best to do. Estelle
+suggested the police and then the rector, but neither seemed to
+Mrs. Thayne likely to offer a solution.
+
+"We will wait a while," she said with an anxious glance at the
+clock just striking two. "Don't do or say anything to let Win
+think I am worried, Fran. Let me take your coat. I'll go down to
+the beach myself. I really think that Roger should be punished for
+causing us such anxiety."
+
+Had his mother only known, Roger was already enduring considerable
+self-inflicted penance for getting into a predicament which made
+it impossible for him to return.
+
+Delivering Estelle's message at a cottage by the shore had taken
+but a few moments and with most of the morning before him, Roger
+set out along the beach, glorying in the force of wind and rain.
+True, there were lessons to be prepared for Bill Fish, who would
+come cheerfully swimming in at the appointed hour, but there was
+surely time for a stroll toward Noirmont Point.
+
+The tide was far out and wet hard sand stretched in every
+direction, very pleasing to stamp over, and retaining little trace
+of any footprint. Only gray gulls and drifting fog banks
+distinguished the immediate surroundings.
+
+As Roger tramped on, he noticed that the fog grew steadily thicker
+and that his path included occasional seaweed-covered rocks, but
+not until a black mass loomed up before him, did he realize that
+he had left the true beach and was walking straight out to sea.
+The bulk he had encountered was not the martello tower on Noirmont
+Point but the old castle of St. Aubin's, at high tide an island in
+the bay.
+
+No thought of any danger in his position struck Roger. He had
+always intended to investigate that island but somehow had never
+yet done so. Here it lay before him.
+
+Climbing the rocks upon which the castle stands, he made a careful
+survey of its outside and finally gained access to the interior,
+much disappointed to find nothing at all remarkable, though St.
+Aubin's castle is not wholly a ruin and was once rented and
+occupied for a season by an eccentric Englishman.
+
+Nothing was now visible save swirling fog and for the first time,
+Roger realized what that fog meant. He hastily made his way to the
+little beach, where the tide, still out, would permit him to cross
+to the mainland. To start in the right direction was simple
+enough, for he very well knew which side of the castle faced the
+shore, but he had taken scarcely twenty steps down the sand when
+he saw that he had no certainty of keeping his bearings once the
+island was left behind.
+
+Roger was only twelve, but he was possessed of common-sense and
+self-reliance. Though the youngest of the family he had been so
+thoroughly impressed with the necessity of considering "safety
+first" in regard to Win, that in an emergency of any kind he was
+usually level-headed. He stopped where he was, searching his
+pockets for the compass Captain Thayne had given to each of his
+three children.
+
+Roger's pockets yielded a strange and varied assortment of
+objects, presumably of value, but no compass. He looked
+irresolutely behind where the castle was just visible as a darker
+spot in the fog. Nothing at all could be distinguished ahead.
+
+From the lighthouse on the point came the tolling of a bell, but
+its warning tones were so scattered and disguised by the fog, that
+its sound was of no use as a guide.
+
+For several moments Roger stood where he was. The distance to
+shore was not great if he was only certain of going straight
+ahead. To swerve from that direction meant wandering out to meet
+the cruel Jersey tide, presently coming in like a hunter on its
+prey. To remain where he was meant anxious hours for his mother
+and for Win, about whom Roger was already so much concerned.
+
+Having weighed the alternatives, he took five steps forward and
+stood absolutely surrounded by the whirling mist. A sort of horror
+came over him, a keen realization of his helplessness before one
+of the great elemental forces of nature. The risk was too great!
+There was a chance that he might keep in the right direction with
+nothing to guide him, but it was only a chance. Worried as his
+mother would doubtless be, better that she endure a few hours of
+anxiety than lasting grief.
+
+Turning squarely about, Roger retraced his footsteps, already
+faint, to the castle, where he perched forlornly on a high rock. A
+little later, he heard for he could not see, the low hiss and
+gurgle of the coming tide. Roger was a big, strong, brave boy, but
+at the sound, he could not suppress a few tears, and they were not
+wholly for his own plight.
+
+Mrs. Thayne returned from her fruitless expedition to the beach,
+looking still more distressed.
+
+"I can't imagine where Roger is," she said anxiously to Frances.
+"Of course, there may be some good excuse for this performance,
+but I don't see what it can be. He knows that he is not to go into
+town without permission and it seems as though he would have come
+home for luncheon unless he was in St. Helier's. If he really has
+been disobedient and played truant again into the bargain, I shall
+ask Mr. Fisher to punish him."
+
+"Oh, Mother," said Frances, "Roger wouldn't deliberately frighten
+us, especially when he's been so upset over Win."
+
+"But where _is_ he?" said Mrs. Thayne again. "Thank goodness!
+Here's Mr. Fisher."
+
+She hurried down to intercept the tutor at the door. Lingering at
+the head of the stair, Frances heard her name called from Win's
+room.
+
+"Is Mother dreadfully troubled?" he asked as she entered. "I think
+Roger went back to the cave and has been shut in."
+
+"Oh, I hope not," said Frances. "Mother's annoyed but it seems to
+me he must be all right. When he gets ready he will turn up with
+some wonderful tale of adventure."
+
+"I suspect he's in some scrape," said Win. "Might not be such a
+bad idea to appeal to the police after all. I only wish I wasn't
+such a helpless stick," he added rather bitterly.
+
+"Mr. Fisher has gone down to the beach," reported Frances from the
+window. "I'm glad he's come, for Mother will feel better to have
+him to consult."
+
+Both were silent for a moment, thinking of Roger, blunt, loyal,
+impulsive Roger, hoping that nothing serious had befallen him.
+
+Presently Mrs. Thayne came, her face expressing a calm she did not
+feel. "Mr. Fisher thinks there is no cause for us to worry," she
+remarked placidly. "He is going to take what he calls a 'turn
+about the town.' Frances, suppose you go on reading to Win while I
+sew a little."
+
+Frances took the book Win held out to her, and Mrs. Thayne's
+fingers twitched the needle through her embroidery, both ears
+alert for sound of returning steps. The clock struck three and
+then four. Nothing happened. Roger did not come and Mr. Fisher did
+not reappear.
+
+Over on St. Aubin's tiny island, Roger watched the water creep
+steadily up the rocks, up and up until it broke almost at the
+foundations of the castle. Cruel, cold, and gray it looked and
+hungry and chilly was the boy who watched. Once a gull flew so
+close that he could almost touch it as it vanished like a ghost
+into the fog.
+
+At intervals Roger inspected his watch, counting the moments till
+the tide should cease to make. At last the water stopped climbing
+the rocks, remained stationary, fell an inch. The next wave broke
+still farther below.
+
+But unless the fog should lift, ebb tide would only duplicate
+Roger's predicament of the morning. Toward four he saw that the
+mist was gradually growing lighter; saw water visible fifty feet
+from the island. Presently a breeze sprang into being, the most
+welcome wind Roger had ever known. Before it the fog thinned, grew
+filmy, dispersed in shreds of trailing vapor. Noirmont Point and
+St. Aubin's village came gradually into distinct view, and with
+them a man walking along the sand.
+
+Water ten feet deep and many wide still barred Roger from the
+shore and he could not make himself heard above the slow heave of
+the rollers lazily breaking on the beach. Was there no way to
+attract the saunterer's attention?
+
+Finding a long branch, relic of some storm-wrecked tree, Roger
+tied his handkerchief to it and waved vigorously. After a time,
+the man on the beach noticed the flag and stood looking toward it.
+
+A bright idea struck Roger. At home he had belonged to a troop of
+boy scouts and knew the signals. He would experiment on this
+stranger.
+
+Just by chance, Mr. Fisher at one time had been a scout-master and
+instantly realized that Roger, marooned on St. Aubin's island, was
+trying to send a message. Hastily improvising a flag, he
+responded.
+
+Twenty minutes later, Mrs. Thayne, still nervously sewing, heard
+Mr. Fisher run up the steps and Estelle hurry to the door. A few
+brief seconds sufficed to give the explanation Roger had so
+painstakingly signaled.
+
+"I didn't stop to rescue him, Mrs. Thayne," explained Mr. Fisher,
+"because his one thought was for you and Win, not to let you worry
+a moment longer."
+
+"Can't you get a boat and row out for him?" asked Estelle, seeing
+that Mrs. Thayne was unable to speak. "Poor dear boy, he must be
+cold and famished."
+
+"I'm off to Noirmont Point," replied Mr. Fisher briefly. "It
+shouldn't take long to pull over and back, provided that I pick up
+a boat quickly."
+
+In spite of the tutor's best efforts, darkness had fallen before
+the marooned prisoner was returned to his anxious family, who sat
+around to see him eat everything pressed upon him. Roger was pale
+and very subdued. Strangest of all, he had come up Noirmont
+Terrace pressed close to the side of the obnoxious Bill Fish and
+not in the least resenting the hand that rested on his shoulder.
+
+Having consumed all the food in sight, he yielded without protest
+to his mother's desire that he should go to bed in order to ward
+off possible chill. When Mr. Fisher, heartily thanked, had taken
+his departure, Mrs. Thayne started for Roger's room. On its
+threshold she stopped for the boys were talking.
+
+"I hated it like time out there," said Roger, now reposing
+luxuriously in bed. "But I hated worse to have you and Mother
+worried. I didn't purposely go over to the island, Win."
+
+"I know you didn't," said his brother. "I was sure that something
+you couldn't help had happened."
+
+"It did," sighed Roger. "I guess I'll never again do anything that
+worries Mother, now I know how it feels to worry over somebody
+myself. And I say, Win, Bill Fish is all right! To think of his
+knowing the scout signals! And he pulled out for me himself in a
+heavy old dory that weighed a ton. Why, Bill Fish isn't so bad!"
+
+"And have you just found that out?" asked Win laughing. "I've
+known it all the time."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+AT CORBIERE
+
+
+Not until Friday did Win receive the longed-for letter from Paris.
+He tore it open eagerly.
+
+"DEAR WIN," it ran, "I've just arrived in town and am wishing I
+was back in Jersey. As the steamer sailed, I looked over at St
+Aubin's and thought of you. You couldn't see me of course, both
+for fog and because I was in the wheel-house with the pilot, Jim
+Trott, a fellow from Gorey village.
+
+"Probably you thought that we didn't get into the cave on Monday
+on account of the weather. It was beastly, but I decided to try,
+and when Connie knew my plan, she insisted on going with me.
+Pierre came too, with a lantern and we went down without much
+trouble.
+
+"Pierre and I tackled your stone pile at once and we pitched
+quantities aside, but couldn't finish because Connie, who was
+watching the tide, called a halt too soon. But we cleared enough
+rocks away to feel rather sure there is an opening of some kind
+beyond; just possibly the passage you are so keen on, more
+probably connecting with another cave. The Jersey cliffs are
+honey-combed with them. How's that for exciting news?
+
+"Connie haled us out before there was really any need and of
+course the tide did not serve for us to go again. When I come at
+Easter, I'll finish the job if necessary. After playing ball with
+several tons of stone, we then explored the vaults, armed with a
+hammer and a long line.
+
+"Well, old fellow, I pounded that north wall inch by inch and I
+can't conscientiously say I struck anything that sounded at all
+hollow. But still, it's not like tapping on plaster or wood; one
+couldn't reasonably expect the same result for the stone is
+probably some feet thick. And if the whole wall is the side of the
+tunnel, naturally it would all sound alike, so that test doesn't
+really prove or disprove anything.
+
+"The discovery Connie and I did make, and to my mind it is rather
+important, is that you are right in thinking that there is a
+discrepancy between the walls of the oldest vault and the adjacent
+cellar. Outside the house, the foundation wall runs flush the
+length of the library and the wing beyond; inside, that same
+foundation wall doesn't jibe. According to our measurements, there
+is a difference of over a metre, almost four feet, in the length
+of the partition at right angles to the north wall as reckoned on
+either side. This certainly bears out your theory of a passage
+running along that wall.
+
+"We looked very carefully but could not detect that there had ever
+been any opening, but all the masonry is so rough that perhaps we
+couldn't expect to find it.
+
+"Uncle Dick is interested but sceptical, says the difference in
+measurement may be accounted for by walls built at different
+times. When he thinks it over a little, he will see that no Lisle
+in his senses,--and the Lisles possess sense,--would have put four
+extra feet of solidity into a wall which had no earthly reason to
+need such treatment. But he said that when I came at Easter, we
+may have a mason and knock a hole wherever we choose. Messing
+about in the cellar is a harmless amusement that may keep us out
+of mischief and provide employment for some deserving workman.
+Before that date, I trust you will succeed in getting Uncle Dick
+into a less doubting frame of mind. Easter is but a month away and
+if all goes well, I'll surely be back and we will hunt that
+Spanish chest to its lair.
+
+"Had no adventures coming here. Jean seemed relieved when I told
+him to drive. When I reached my rooms, I found a note directing me
+to report for duty to-morrow prepared to show some important
+American from the western States the sights of Paris. That means a
+gay and giddy day. I only hope I sha'n't have to interpret while
+he buys hats for Madam and the young ladies at home. Once I was
+let in for that and it was pretty sickening. I've often wondered
+what the ladies thought of those hats. I also hope he won't be
+keen on climbing the Eiffel tower, for that's one of the things
+that's not done in Paris.
+
+"I must go to bed for it is after two and my day to-morrow, or
+rather to-day, may include an evening as well.
+
+"Till Easter then adieu, and all best wishes,
+
+"M. R. HAMILTON."
+
+This letter naturally afforded Win a great deal of satisfaction
+and his interest and pleasure were shared by the others. To wait a
+whole month to solve the mystery of the Spanish chest when so
+distinct a clue appeared already in his hand, was a trial of
+patience. Naturally Colonel Lisle would not be likely to go ahead
+in the matter until Max returned to inspire action by his youthful
+enthusiasm, and it was only fair that Max should be in at the
+finish. Win wondered whether Connie shared the Colonel's
+scepticism. This proved not the case, only that Connie and her
+father were going to London for a week or two and the little lady
+of the Manor had other ideas to occupy her pretty head.
+
+"We may even run over to Paris," she announced during a farewell
+call at Rose Villa. "Max has been begging us ever since he was
+sent there, so it's possible we may cross for a few days and plan
+so that we come back together at Easter."
+
+"Wouldn't it be jolly to go around Paris with Mr. Max," said Win
+almost enviously. "I haven't forgotten how dandy he was to me in
+Washington. Dad took me along when he was calling on some official
+and then found he was in for a morning's conference. The Secretary
+sent for a young man, who proved to be Mr. Max and told him to
+look after me. I was only fifteen, but Mr. Max took as much pains
+to give me a good time as though I'd been somebody really
+important."
+
+"That's like Max," said Connie briefly, her eyes showing pleasure
+at Win's tribute. "I think he's detailed for service such as that
+more often than the other young men of the Embassy because he gets
+on so well with all sorts of people. It's a real gift and a very
+valuable one for a prospective diplomat. But you are celebrating
+one of your great national days this week, aren't you?"
+
+"Yes, Washington's birthday," said Frances. "Luckily it comes on
+Wednesday, so we have a holiday. We were going to have a picnic at
+Corbiere and invite you, Miss Connie."
+
+"Indeed, I wish I could be there," said Constance with genuine
+regret in her voice, "but I'll be in London. We'll keep up our
+spirits by remembering that it's only a brief time to Easter and
+then we are to start again on the trail of the Spanish chest."
+
+Estelle consented to join the holiday celebration, and when the
+twenty-second dawned bright and sunny, Rose Villa was the scene of
+an animated flurry. In the dining-room, Edith, Frances and Estelle
+were putting up the lunch, while Win collected painting traps for
+the picture he hoped to sketch, and Roger departed to bring the
+pony and cart engaged for the day.
+
+Corbiere Point was distant about four miles and all except Win and
+his mother proposed to walk, since the little carriage could take
+lunch baskets and wraps.
+
+Roger appeared with a plump stubborn Welsh pony, attached to a
+funny little cart which he gayly informed them was a "gingle."
+Neither Edith nor Estelle, who were familiar with the term as used
+in Cornwall, thought it odd but Roger considered it most absurd.
+
+Even the short legs of a tiny pony could cover the ground more
+rapidly than the walking party, and when the pedestrians reached
+their destination, no sign of Win, his mother, pony or gingle was
+visible.
+
+"Oh, what a wonderful view!" exclaimed Estelle stopping short.
+
+Before them lay Corbiere lighthouse, built on a bold rock, at
+flood tide an island, but at this hour approachable from the
+mainland by a causeway. In the foreground stretched an expanse of
+jagged red reefs and shining pools with a single martello tower
+rising in dignified grandeur. At the right lay a hill, its summit
+crowned by one stone cottage with a thatched roof, and down the
+hill a narrow road wandered to disappear in a cleft between two
+gigantic red granite boulders sprinkled with glittering quartz and
+partly covered with gray and bright orange lichens. Green grass
+and turquoise blue sea with a single white sail dipping to the
+horizon completed the color scheme. Near at hand hovered several
+of the sea-crows, _corbieres_, which have given the point its
+name.
+
+Estelle's soft eyes grew wide and a pretty pink flush came into
+her usually pale cheeks as she gazed into the distance. Roger and
+the girls were looking for the rest of the party.
+
+The thatched cottage seemed utterly without life, windows blank
+and no sign of any domestic proceedings.
+
+"It must be deserted," said Edith as they strolled on.
+
+"Here's a shed with something black in it," said Roger. "I can
+just see its head. It's a goat."
+
+"It's a black stocking hung to dry," declared Edith.
+
+"Stocking, nothing," replied Roger. "I know it's a goat."
+
+The two hung over the gate and deliberately stared into the little
+shed. "No goat ever stopped still for so long," persisted Edith,
+when three full minutes had passed without motion in the shed.
+
+"I'll go in and see," began Roger, about to climb the gate. A
+sudden exclamation from Frances deterred him.
+
+"Goodness, here's a black cat! Where did it come from?"
+
+Upon the doorstep now sat a perfectly motionless black cat.
+
+"Look at the black hens!" added Edith, bursting into laughter.
+
+At either corner of the stone cottage two coal black hens were
+visible, also like statues, and possessing bright yellow eyes.
+
+"_And_ a black dog in a barrel!" Frances fairly shrieked.
+
+"Well, a dog has some sense!" said Roger, whistling and calling.
+Strange to say, the dog neither stirred nor lifted its head. Nose
+on its paws it remained absolutely still.
+
+"This is a bum lot of animals," observed Roger. "I never saw a dog
+before that wouldn't at least bark at strangers."
+
+"It's probably dumb as well as deaf," commented Frances.
+
+"But it might at least _move_," expostulated Roger. "Perhaps it's
+paralyzed."
+
+"Perhaps this cottage and everything about it is enchanted,"
+suggested Edith. "Miss Connie said something, don't you remember,
+about a place where the Jersey witches hold their meetings?"
+
+"That is 'way the other end of the island," retorted Roger, "down
+at St. Clement's."
+
+There was something uncanny about that collection of dusky,
+motionless animals and the three were conscious of real relief
+when the two hens at last walked off in quite a hen-like, not to
+say human manner. But cat, dog and goat remained as though
+petrified.
+
+"Mother's calling," said Frances. "Come along, Roger. Lunch!"
+
+Roger postponed his intention of stirring up the dog to see
+whether it was stuffed or paralyzed, and they turned in the
+direction of the call.
+
+Luncheon was already spread on the grass in shelter of a big rock,
+the Stars and Stripes forming the table decoration. At sight of
+the flag, Roger and Fran stopped and saluted gravely as their
+father had taught them.
+
+"Mother!" exclaimed Roger, his eyes widening. "Is that a chocolate
+layer-cake? Where did it come from?"
+
+"I made it," said Mrs. Thayne. "Miss Estelle said I might and
+Annette was quite pleased to watch me, and see how an American
+cake was constructed."
+
+No doubt that the young people were frankly happy, though spending
+this holiday in so unusual a fashion. After luncheon, Win prepared
+to sketch the lighthouse and the other three proposed to visit it.
+
+As they ran down the hill toward the causeway and the heap of
+picturesque red rocks bared by the water, Mrs. Thayne settled
+herself with her embroidery and Estelle produced her netting.
+
+After a few moments spent consulting with Win as to the exact
+angle desirable for his sketch, Mrs. Thayne felt for her watch,
+remembered that she did not bring it and looked at Estelle.
+
+"Will you tell me the time?" she asked. "Win's hands are full with
+his palette and block."
+
+"Certainly," said Estelle. "It's just two."
+
+As she replaced her watch, a sudden look of interest crossed Mrs.
+Thayne's face.
+
+"What a curious chain you have, Estelle," she remarked. "Is it an
+old one? May I take it a moment?"
+
+"It belonged to my grandmother, my mother's mother," replied
+Estelle, unfastening the chain and holding it out to Mrs. Thayne.
+"I think it is very old for I never saw another like it."
+
+Mrs. Thayne examined the trinket carefully. It was hand-made, of
+pale yellow gold, and the links, instead of being round, were
+rectangular, yet so fastened in a series of three as to produce
+the effect of a round cable.
+
+"It is an awkward thing to use," said Estelle, "because sometimes
+those links get turned and it is very difficult to work them into
+place."
+
+Mrs. Thayne looked up, a curiously intent expression on her face.
+"Estelle," she said abruptly, "have you any relatives in America?"
+
+"Not that I know of," Estelle replied, surprised by the sudden
+question, "though I suppose it is quite possible. Grandmother's
+sister married a young man who went out to the colonies, somewhere
+near Toronto, I think. We have known nothing of them since
+Grandmother died and that was before I was born. I think Mother
+completely lost touch with Great-aunt Emma. It is easy, you know,
+when one belongs to a different generation and has never seen
+one's aunt."
+
+"Then you don't know whether your Great-aunt Emma had children?"
+asked Mrs. Thayne, twisting the odd chain reflectively between her
+fingers.
+
+"Oh, yes," said Estelle. "I do happen to know that. There were
+two, a girl and a boy. Now I think of it, I recall that the girl
+married and went to the States. I do not know how one speaks of
+your counties, but it was not the city of New York,--perhaps New
+Yorkshire?"
+
+"New York State," put in Win so abruptly that his mother jumped.
+To all appearances he had been completely absorbed in his
+painting.
+
+"But you don't know the name of the man she married?" Mrs. Thayne
+asked.
+
+"I do not," replied Estelle. "But I could find out, for it will be
+among Father's papers. I think he had a hazy idea of writing some
+time to Canada to get in touch if possible with Mother's
+relatives. But it was never done, and I should hesitate to do it,
+--especially now."
+
+"Lest they might think you were seeking aid," Mrs. Thayne thought,
+with a tender appreciation of Estelle's proud independence, but
+she kept her inference to herself.
+
+"Do you know whether your grandmother's sister who went to Canada
+also possessed a chain like this?" she asked.
+
+"Why, yes," said Estelle, laying down her work and looking out to
+sea. "I know she did. Great-grandfather Avery once bought two just
+alike in Paris and gave one to each of his daughters. This came to
+me through Mother."
+
+Mrs. Thayne started to speak but caught Win's eyes fixed upon her
+inquiringly. Something in their expression checked the words she
+was about to utter.
+
+"After all, better be sure," she thought. "It is a very curious
+old trinket, Estelle," she said, returning the chain. "Some time
+when you think of it, I wish you would look in your father's
+papers and find the married name of that cousin who went to New
+York State."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+WIN WONDERS
+
+
+"Mother," said Win solemnly, "I shook in my shoes this afternoon.
+Didn't you notice the lurid mixture of colors I was daubing on my
+block? And all because I knew you were having psychic thoughts and
+I was so afraid you would say what I thought you were thinking and
+startle Estelle. I wanted so much to know myself just what you
+were driving at with your watch-chains that I almost chewed my
+tongue off trying not to speak."
+
+"I know it," said Mrs. Thayne. "I felt you quaking, Win, and
+decided to keep still. After all, the only sensible way was to
+find out definitely that name. Estelle is so proud and so
+reluctant to accept help that one must move carefully in trying to
+smooth her pathway."
+
+The two were alone in Mrs. Thayne's room after the happy picnic at
+Corbiere. Through the open window floated the occasional sound of
+voices from the end of the terrace where Roger, Edith, and Frances
+stood watching the steamer for Southampton round Noirmont Point.
+
+"And now that I do know the name, I am still uncertain what is
+best to do," reflected Mrs. Thayne. "But you asked about the
+chain, Win. The moment I saw that one of Estelle's I knew that I
+had seen a similar one in the United States. For a time I could
+not place it, and really it is a thing of unusual workmanship and
+not likely to be largely duplicated. Then it came to me in a flash
+that Carrie Aldrich often wears a chain like that and once told me
+that it had belonged to her mother."
+
+"But I never knew that Mrs. Aldrich was English," said Win
+wonderingly. "I thought she'd always lived in Boston."
+
+"I knew that she was a Canadian," replied his mother, "but she was
+educated in the United States and married an American. To trace
+her ancestry never occurred to me. She is so thoroughly and
+completely American that one would never think of her forefathers
+as being anything else.
+
+"I can hardly keep silent," she went on. "When I think of Carrie
+alone in that huge house in Boston, with her big income and her
+still bigger heart and only her charities to fill it and to occupy
+her time, and then think of Estelle, so proudly trying to support
+herself and Edith in a land where self-support for women is not
+easy,--why, Win, it seems as though I must tell her on the spot.
+And yet, if I do, I am quite sure Estelle will just shut herself
+up in the armor of her pride and refuse to make herself known.
+Taking both the testimony of the chains and the very pronounced
+family resemblance, there can be no reasonable doubt of the
+identity."
+
+"I think Estelle would refuse," said Win slowly. "She's foolishly
+proud. She thinks, Mother, that you pay more than the house is
+worth and so she does her level best to make it up to us in other
+ways."
+
+"I believe I will write to Carrie," mused Mrs. Thayne. "She'd be
+interested and anxious to see the girls. I'm sure she doesn't
+realize that she has any cousins in England."
+
+"Mother," said Win with deliberation, "why don't you ask Mrs.
+Aldrich to come over and visit us for a little? You'd like to have
+her and so would we. Probably she has nothing especial to keep her
+at home and might be glad to be let out of a month or two of
+winter."
+
+"That's a bright idea, Win!" exclaimed his mother. "Only I suppose
+she has several pet charities that she will feel she can't leave
+at short notice."
+
+"In that case," replied Win, "probably you'd better write her
+about the girls, only do tell her to come and see for herself. It
+strikes me that nothing but knowing each other would ever really
+bring them together."
+
+"Win, you are so like your father," said Mrs. Thayne
+affectionately. "Your minds work alike. I find I'm growing to
+depend more and more upon your judgment."
+
+In the dusk Mrs. Thayne could not see the flush that spread over
+her son's thin face. To be likened in any way to Captain Thayne
+was praise indeed for Win.
+
+"I only wish I could take more off your shoulders, Mother," he
+said briefly, "instead of being a great lazy lump that the whole
+family has to take thought for."
+
+"Here's Annette with letters," said Mrs. Thayne. "Why, I did not
+expect mail until tomorrow."
+
+Some moments passed until Win was aroused from his own
+correspondence by a sudden surprised exclamation from his mother.
+
+"Never say you don't believe in special providences. This seems
+almost incredible, but here is a note from Mrs. Aldrich, written
+from London! She's come over to attend some charity congress and
+wants me to run up for a few days."
+
+"Then it is meant that you should, Mother," said Win, smiling.
+"That coincidence hasn't happened for nothing. You can tell her
+about the girls much more convincingly than it could be written,
+and bring her back with you to see them. It will all be natural
+and Estelle will never suspect."
+
+"I'll do it," said Mrs. Thayne, but the next second a shadow crossed
+her face. Her sharp-eyed son instantly saw and interpreted.
+
+"I'll not overdo, Mother," he said immediately. "Trust me to rival
+the sloth in idleness. I promise you that I won't stir one step
+out of my usual routine."
+
+"But there's Roger," mused his mother.
+
+"Oh, Roger is walking the straight and narrow path of virtue. Ever
+since ex-scoutmaster Bill Fish rescued him from a desert island,
+he's been meekness itself. Makes me smile to see his star-eyed
+devotion. This plan is too evidently designed, for you to give it
+the cold shoulder."
+
+"It does seem so," agreed his mother. "Well, I'll go by Saturday's
+boat. Win, don't you think it would be best not to say anything to
+Fran and Roger? We will tell them after I have seen Carrie."
+
+"I certainly do," Win declared. "Fran couldn't keep that secret
+one half day. It wouldn't interest the kid."
+
+The absence of the family did not prevent Win's enjoyment of the
+Manor library and during his mother's stay in London, he paid it
+several visits. Evidently the servants had been instructed to
+expect and make him welcome, should he appear, for a smiling face
+answered his ring and the fire in the library was invariably
+lighted on his arrival. But Win's conscience would not allow him
+to neglect Roger even for these delightful hours of solitude, so
+this pleasure was only occasional.
+
+With the pony and gingle they explored many of the lovely Jersey
+lanes and headlands, for driving seldom tired Win. Half a morning
+passed in this fascinating occupation left Roger ready to spend
+the time before luncheon in preparing his lessons. When they were
+over in the afternoon, Mr. Fisher usually suggested kicking
+football on the beach or led Roger a walk sufficiently strenuous
+to leave him disposed for a quiet evening. Estelle and Nurse both
+thought Roger "good as gold," and did not realize how much of his
+virtue was due to the forethought of brother and tutor.
+
+One morning Estelle had errands in town and invited Roger to go
+with her. Hearing his joyful acceptance, Win as gladly betook
+himself to the Manor.
+
+Spring was far advanced now, potatoes were being planted and other
+early vegetables already showing in green rows. Under the trees on
+the Manor grounds wild snow-drops starred the grass. Win wandered
+into the formal garden enclosed by a hedge of box so clipped as to
+form a solid wall with square pillars topped by round balls of
+living green. In the background posed two peacocks, also clipped
+from box. What patience, time and care had been required to bring
+that hedge to such perfection! Early roses were now plentiful and
+as Win sauntered through their fragrant mazes, he realized how
+much loving thought had been expended through the centuries on
+this old garden. Sad indeed that the present owner of Laurel Manor
+was the last Richard Lisle.
+
+Win's reverie was broken by the passing of Pierre, with a pleasant
+"_Bon jour, M'sieur_," and a touch of his cap. Pierre carried a
+rope and crowbar, unusual implements for a gardener's assistant.
+
+Win watched him idly down the laurel-bordered drive and then went
+into the library, followed by Tylo, who seemed depressed in the
+absence of his mistress.
+
+About eleven, Win was visited by Yvonne, bringing a glass of milk
+and a plate of biscuit, which she placed beside him with a
+politely murmured "M'sieur labors so diligently!"
+
+"Thank you, Yvonne," said Win. "It's good of you to bring that. Do
+you know when the Colonel and Miss Connie are expected?"
+
+"No word since they arrived at Paris," replied Yvonne in her
+daintily accented English.
+
+"It is Pierre who hears from M'sieur Max, a letter, brief indeed,
+but explicit, that certain matters may arrange themselves in
+readiness for the coming of M'sieur Max."
+
+Win looked puzzled. For a second Yvonne stood regarding him, her
+head slightly on one side.
+
+"Word will perhaps arrive on the morrow," she volunteered. "Is the
+milk to M'sieur's liking?"
+
+"Very much. Thank you, Yvonne."
+
+The trim little maid replenished the fire, replaced a daffodil
+fallen from a vase, patted Tylo, gave him a biscuit and vanished
+as noiselessly as she came.
+
+Left alone, Win began to walk slowly up and down the library,
+wondering about the matters which were "to arrange themselves."
+The tools Pierre carried, the direction in which he was walking,
+to Win's alert mind suggested the Manor cave. Had Max told Pierre
+to complete clearing away that heap of stones and if so, why?
+
+Never in his life had Win been so tempted to break his word. In
+spite of the voluntary promise to his mother to do nothing in the
+least unusual, it seemed as though he _must_ go and see what was
+taking place in the cave.
+
+"Pierre would help me up," he told himself.
+
+"Yes," came the instant answer, "but Roger gave you all the help
+he could and yet you were in bed two days and felt ill for a
+week."
+
+Win thought of questioning Pierre, but abandoned the idea as not
+quite on the level. A note from Max had come on yesterday's
+steamer presumably in company with the directions to Pierre. There
+was not a word in it about the cave and if the writer had wanted
+Win to know what was going on, he would have told him. No, Win's
+code of honor would not permit him to find out by asking Pierre.
+And yet two weeks until Easter!
+
+Win gave a long whistle, looked wistfully down to the sea and
+again took up his book.
+
+When he returned for luncheon at Rose Villa, he found Roger
+convulsing Frances by his account of the morning spent in town
+with Estelle.
+
+"It's lucky I don't have to do the marketing for this family," he
+announced. "If you wanted cream now, where would you get it?"
+
+"A dairy, of course, or a market," replied Frances.
+
+"Wrong. Much cream you'd get! Try a fish-monger's."
+
+At Roger's disgusted tone, Fran giggled, "Oh, I've learned a lot,"
+he went on. "Where would you ask for one of those paper patterns
+to cut out a dress?"
+
+"A dry-goods store," answered his sister.
+
+"Do say a draper's if that is what you mean," continued Roger.
+"You would only waste time. Go to a book-shop."
+
+"I will," said Fran. "Thanks for the tip."
+
+"I wanted to get weighed," said Roger, "because I know I am
+becoming a shadow studying so hard. I asked Miss Estelle where to
+go and told her I didn't think the nickel-in-the-slot machines
+were very accurate--Well, what's wrong with that?"
+
+Roger stopped for both Win and Frances were laughing at him.
+
+"Here you are knocking English customs," said Win at last. "As
+though Miss Estelle knew what a nickel was, let alone a slot
+machine, although I have seen some of them."
+
+"I don't see anything so funny," said Roger huffily. "Perhaps she
+didn't know, but she was polite enough not to laugh and said the
+place to get weighed was the hair-dresser's--"
+
+"Oh, come off," said Win. "That's too much, even for us."
+
+"Well, it is where we went and where the scales were," retorted
+Roger, "but there weren't any pounds to it, only what they call
+stones. I weigh exactly seven stone and I won't tell you how many
+pounds that is."
+
+"Ninety-eight," said Win so promptly that Roger looked
+disconcerted.
+
+"How did you know?" he demanded.
+
+"From a book," replied his brother. "A little article that you
+don't yet value as highly as you might. What next?"
+
+"Oh, that was about all," said Roger, "except that Miss Estelle
+told me I might choose some crackers, I mean biscuit, and to buy
+half a kilo. I forgot and asked for half a litre and the clerk
+grinned very disagreeably."
+
+"Liquid measure instead of dry," commented Win in amusement.
+"After luncheon, Roger, permit me to introduce you to some parts
+of your arithmetic that you have evidently never examined. But go
+on."
+
+"Then I stopped to look in a window and hurried to catch Miss
+Estelle and ran into a big fat man who was wearing stiff leather
+gaiters and a tam o' shanter. We came together rather hard,"
+admitted Roger. "I didn't hurt myself much because he was quite
+soft, but his tam fell off and he said, 'Bless my soul, by
+George!"
+
+"Roger, I can't stand any more," implored Frances.
+
+"I don't follow the logic of that hair-dresser and the scales,"
+mused Win, when he had stopped laughing. "Is it before and after a
+hair-cut or to see how much flesh the barber gouges out in a
+shave?"
+
+"Give it up," said Fran. "There's the gong for luncheon and Edith
+bringing the mail. I hope there's a letter from mother."
+
+"There is," said Edith.
+
+"Please excuse me, Miss Estelle, if I read it now," begged
+Frances, settling into her seat at the table.
+
+"Of course, dear," was the reply as Estelle took Mrs. Thayne's
+usual place, for she and Edith were having their meals with the
+young people.
+
+"Now, Roger, pause," exclaimed Win, suddenly. "What are you going
+to do with that?" he added, as the attention of all was
+concentrated on the surprised Roger who sat with arrested hand
+suspending above his plate a spoon heaped with sugar.
+
+"Whatever is he doing?" protested Estelle gently. "Such a mixture!
+How can he eat sugar on his eggs?"
+
+"Thought it was pancakes," explained Roger, indicating the omelet
+before him, but relinquishing the sugar.
+
+"Mother's coming on Wednesday," Frances announced happily. "And
+she's met a friend in London, Mrs. Aldrich, who's coming with her
+for a few days. Isn't that splendid, boys? You'll like her, Miss
+Estelle. She's sweet."
+
+"I shall be glad to see any friend of your mother's," said Estelle
+cordially. Looking to see whether Roger was sufficiently supplied
+with butter, she did not notice the smile with which Win glanced
+at her.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+THE TWO CHAINS
+
+
+"Estelle, will you do me a favor?" asked Mrs. Thayne, following
+her young landlady into the hall. The travelers from London had
+just arrived and in the drawing-room, Mrs. Aldrich was expatiating
+to the boys upon the roughness of the trip.
+
+"Why, of course I will! You don't need to ask," replied Estelle
+affectionately.
+
+"You and Edith have been taking your meals with the children
+during my absence. Please keep on doing it. Let us all be one
+family for the rest of our stay."
+
+"It is lovely of you to want us, Mrs. Thayne," said Estelle, her
+face flushing. "We stopped with the children because I thought it
+would be better and then I could personally see that they had all
+they wanted. But now that you have a guest--"
+
+"I want you and Mrs. Aldrich to know each other," said Mrs. Thayne
+quickly. "And this will be one of the easiest ways to get
+acquainted."
+
+"I think Mrs. Aldrich is charming," remarked Estelle. "Isn't it
+odd, how sometimes a likeness in a total stranger strikes one? For
+a second, just as you introduced us, she reminded me so much of my
+dear mother that I could hardly pull myself together to speak. She
+must have thought me quite awkward."
+
+"I know she didn't," said Mrs. Thayne, with difficulty keeping her
+face under control. She had seen Estelle start and noticed her
+amazed expression when Mrs. Aldrich greeted her. So Estelle had
+not been conscious of Mrs. Aldrich's constrained manner! "Then you
+will have luncheon with us?" she added.
+
+"I will since you wish it," replied Estelle, vanishing to give
+directions to Nurse.
+
+"Now, what is there to do this morning?" Mrs. Aldrich was asking
+the boys. "I propose to stay in this island exactly one week. Your
+mother was seasick so she ought to lie down and rest but I feel as
+fit as a fiddle. Frances is at school, you tell me. No, I don't
+want to drive this morning. Suppose you take me for a short walk,
+Roger and Win, and show me what is to be seen on the beach."
+
+"We might take you to Noirmont Point," suggested Roger as they
+stopped at the end of the terrace to look at the view which was
+never twice the same. "What are those big vessels over beyond
+Castle Elizabeth?"
+
+"They are English warships," replied Mrs. Aldrich. "Coming into
+the harbor we passed close to them. The captain said it was a part
+of the Channel squadron, whatever that is."
+
+"Oh, did you see their names?" demanded Roger eagerly, as he
+counted the great gray ships in the offing. "Fourteen, no,
+fifteen."
+
+"Only a few. One was the _Princess Royal_ and I saw the
+_Thunderer_, the _Revenge_, the _Black Prince_ and the
+_Camperdown_."
+
+Roger's eyes opened at this list of awe-inspiring names. "I wish
+we could get over to Elizabeth," he remarked. "We could see them
+better then."
+
+"Tide's not right," said Win, casting a critical glance at the
+sea.
+
+"What, to walk over to that island?" asked Mrs. Aldrich. "Is it
+ever possible?"
+
+"We've been over," said Roger. "When the tide is 'way out, there
+is a raised causeway, quite smooth and easy."
+
+"What is the place anyway?" asked Mrs. Aldrich, looking curiously
+across to the castle.
+
+"Once it was an old abbey," Win explained, "dedicated to St.
+Elericus, the patron saint of Jersey. I suppose the town was named
+for him."
+
+"How did the island itself get its name?" inquired Mrs. Aldrich.
+"The derivation of these charming old English names is a
+fascinating study."
+
+"It was the old Roman Caesarea," said Win. "Jersey is a corruption
+of that. The ruined hermitage of St. Elericus is still over near
+Elizabeth, at least they call it that, though it's a kind of
+combination of a watch-tower and a cave. But the castle, as it
+stands, was built when Edward VI was king of England. There's a
+story to the effect that all the bells in the island except one
+for each of the twelve churches were seized by royal authority and
+ordered sold to help pay for building the castle. They were
+shipped to St. Malo and expected to bring a high price, but the
+vessel went down on the way and all the good church people thought
+it was because of sacrilege in taking those bells."
+
+"What is the castle used for now?" inquired Mrs. Aldrich.
+
+"Barracks," replied Roger. "The place is full of soldiers. It's no
+good now as a fortification, because Fort Regent up above St.
+Helier's--over there on the cliffs--could knock Castle Elizabeth
+and all those warships into fits in no time. Nothing can enter the
+bay if the Fort Regent guns don't approve. And that heap of rocks
+where Elizabeth stands is 'most a mile around,--it is, honest.
+Fran and Edith and I walked it."
+
+"They say," said Win, "that the space between the castle and the
+town was once a meadow. For that matter, they also say that the
+whole channel between here and France was once so narrow that the
+Bishop of Coutances used to cross to Jersey on a plank."
+
+"Tell that to the marines," protested Roger. "You do find the
+weirdest yarns in those books you're always grubbing in."
+
+"Oh, I can tell a bigger one than that," said Win laughing, "but
+perhaps you'll swallow it because your friend Bill told it to me.
+He said that some time in the sixteenth century there was an
+abnormally low tide, lower than any one had ever known. Some
+fishermen who happened to be out between Orgueil and the coast of
+France came in and reported that they had distinctly seen down in
+the channel the towers and streets and houses of an old town,
+forty feet or more under water."
+
+"There are stories like that in Brittany," said Mrs. Aldrich. "The
+fishermen declare that they can hear the tolling of the submerged
+church bells. Now, when legends like that exist on both sides of a
+channel, it stands to reason that there is likely some foundation
+in truth."
+
+"Then why don't they send divers down to find out?" demanded Roger
+bluntly. "Any enterprising country would."
+
+"We'll import a few Americans to do the investigating," laughed
+Mrs. Aldrich. "Is this Frances coming? Who is with her?"
+
+"Edith," replied Win. "Miss Estelle's sister."
+
+"Bless me!" murmured Mrs. Aldrich. "The other was startling enough
+but this resemblance is even stronger."
+
+Win smiled. It was great fun to look on, knowing what he did of
+his mother's innocent little conspiracy, all the more fun because
+the other young people were unsuspecting.
+
+At luncheon, where Estelle appeared with a pretty dignity, Win was
+supplied with still more secret amusement. Mrs. Aldrich talked a
+good deal, rather inconsequently at times, but continually looked
+from one sister to the other in a way that would have aroused
+suspicion had either the slightest idea that any plot was on foot.
+As it was, Win saw Estelle occasionally glancing at their guest in
+a puzzled manner as though trying to account for something she
+found unexpected. After the meal he waylaid his mother.
+
+"What is Mrs. Aldrich going to do?" he asked laughingly. "I had
+hard work not to give myself away during luncheon. You looked so
+unnatural, Mother, that if you hadn't been seasick, Fran and Roger
+would have caught on. As it was, they thought you weren't quite
+rested."
+
+"I don't know what she is going to do," replied his mother, "but
+it is working as we hoped. She is strongly attracted to the girls,
+and Estelle confided to me that our guest in some unaccountable
+way, reminded her of her mother. We have done our part in bringing
+Carrie here; it is for her to take the next step. I rather imagine
+that she won't be able to hold in very much longer, though I think
+she is enjoying the situation."
+
+It was not until dinner of her third day in St. Aubin's, that Mrs.
+Aldrich made herself known. To please Win, who had ascertained
+that she chanced to have the old chain with her, she wore it when
+she entered the dining-room.
+
+Win watched Estelle intently, disappointed that she did not
+immediately notice the ornament. Indeed, they were finishing
+dessert before anything happened. Perhaps purposely, Mrs. Aldrich
+looked at her watch and Fran in all innocence touched the match
+that fired the explosion.
+
+"Why, how odd!" she exclaimed. "Miss Estelle has a chain just like
+that one, Mrs. Aldrich."
+
+Win and his mother exchanged a glance; the others naturally looked
+at the chain.
+
+"It's precisely like it, Sister," said Edith, who sat near Mrs.
+Aldrich. "Isn't that queer?"
+
+"It's an old keepsake," said Mrs. Aldrich with deliberation. "It
+belonged to my mother. See, here are her initials on the slide, E.
+A. for Emma Avery."
+
+Edith looked with interest but Estelle turned pale. Thoughtful Win
+pushed a glass of water within reach.
+
+"Star's has initials too," Edith remarked innocently. "A. A., I
+think they are. Anyway, it was Grandmother's chain."
+
+Mrs. Aldrich turned to Estelle, who perfectly colorless, was
+staring at her. "Child," she said rather peremptorily, "come up to
+my room and let us compare these old trinkets."
+
+Still speechless, Estelle mechanically arose. Amid dead silence
+the two left the dining-room. Fran turned to her mother, amazed at
+the look of excited pleasure on her face. "What _does_ it all
+mean?" she demanded. "Is it a secret?"
+
+"Just a mild little conspiracy," replied Mrs. Thayne. "What it
+means, is that Mrs. Aldrich was your mother's first cousin, Edith,
+so she is your and Estelle's second cousin. Just by chance I
+guessed from Estelle's unusual chain that the one Carrie Aldrich
+wears came from the same source. When Estelle told me that her
+great-grandfather gave one to each of his two daughters, the whole
+thing flashed on me."
+
+"But that," said Edith, with her sweet childish faith, "is a
+miracle."
+
+"Perhaps," smiled Mrs. Thayne. "I only know that we shall leave
+St. Aubin's happier because you and Mrs. Aldrich have found each
+other out."
+
+A shower of eager questions fell from Frances and Roger but a long
+time passed before anything was seen of Estelle and Mrs. Aldrich.
+When they reappeared to the group awaiting them in the drawing-
+room, Estelle had plainly been crying and Mrs. Aldrich's eyes
+looked suspiciously red.
+
+"Come and kiss me, Edith," she said. "I want to be Cousin Carrie
+from now on. Yes, Estelle, she does look more like the Averys than
+you, though I saw the resemblance in your face also."
+
+"Isn't the whole thing just like a story?" Frances confided to her
+mother at bed-time. "What do you think will happen now?"
+
+"I don't know," admitted Mrs. Thayne. "Estelle is so very proud
+that it will be hard for her to accept help from any one, but
+Carrie will arrange things if it can be done. I know that Estelle
+has been dreadfully worried because some of the little money her
+father left her has been lost through an imprudent investment and
+that she has not felt sure she could manage to keep the house
+through another season. And yet she must find some way of
+supporting herself and Edith. Things will work themselves out, for
+Carrie is perfectly capable of inventing some very necessary work
+for Estelle to do, which will preserve her self-respect and let
+Carrie have her way. I think Carrie usually has some young person
+acting as secretary and Estelle could do that easily. I am not at
+all worried about the future since Estelle fortunately saw the
+resemblance to her own mother in Mrs. Aldrich. I imagine that will
+make it easier for her to consider whatever plan is proposed."
+
+"Wasn't it lucky that we came here!" sighed Frances. "And doesn't
+it seem odd that we did come, just because Roger and I wanted to
+take that little train the first day and chanced to find Rose
+Villa? If it hadn't been for that, we might not have looked for
+lodgings in St. Aubin's at all, nor known Miss Estelle and Edith.
+Why, Mother!" she went on, with intenser surprise in her voice.
+"It's just like the House that Jack built. If we hadn't come here,
+we wouldn't have met the beach dog, nor known Miss Connie, nor
+visited the Manor, nor be hunting for the Spanish chest!"
+
+Fran stopped, looking so comically aghast that Mrs. Thayne laughed
+as she kissed her.
+
+"So much depended upon a passing wish to take that little train!
+It is remarkable on looking back, to realize how often life turns
+upon some apparently trivial incident, some insignificant choice."
+
+"It's time though, that we went home, Mother," said Frances
+merrily. "While you were in London, Miss Estelle wanted change for
+half a crown, so I tipped the money out of my purse. One piece
+rolled on the floor and Roger picked it up, and said: 'Why, this
+isn't a shilling! What is it?' So I took it, and, Mother, both of
+us looked at it hard for several seconds before we realized that
+it was a United States quarter-dollar! Don't you think it is time
+that we went home?"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+THE CHEST ITSELF
+
+
+Mrs. Aldrich's stay did not exceed her limit of a week, but she
+left for London with Estelle's willing promise to come to her when
+the Thaynes returned to Boston and leaving behind her two girls
+with gladdened hearts. After her departure Win's interest was
+again concentrated on the coming of the Manor family and the
+search for the Spanish chest.
+
+Twice as he came or went from his visits to the library, he saw
+Pierre in the distance, once actually disappearing over the cliff
+edge, but Easter was close at hand when Yvonne, bringing the usual
+lunch, volunteered the information that the Colonel, Miss Connie
+and Mr. Max were expected on Saturday's steamer.
+
+Win reported this news with joy and when the day arrived the young
+people began to watch for the Granville boat hours before she
+could possibly arrive, hoping to distinguish familiar figures on
+the deck. To their disappointment, when the steamer was finally
+detected in the distance, dusk was at hand.
+
+"I shall do it!" said Roger firmly. "There are three packages and
+we may not be in England on the Fourth of July. Besides I forgot
+it on Washington's birthday."
+
+Fran and Win looked after him in amazement as he suddenly tore
+back to the house and rushed upstairs, spreading noise on his way
+and devastation in his room, where he jerked the very vitals out
+of his steamer trunk, scattering its contents to the four corners.
+
+Nor was Edith enlightened when Roger reappeared with a pasteboard
+tube in one hand, and a box of matches in the other, but Win
+laughed and Frances gave a shriek of delight.
+
+"Bed fire!" she exclaimed. "Oh, Roger, I never knew you had it. Do
+wait until the boat is a little nearer."
+
+"It will be darker, too," Win advised. "Make more of a show if you
+wait."
+
+"I only hope they will know it is for them," said Roger anxiously.
+
+"They'll see where it comes from and perhaps they'll understand,"
+said Win. "But don't expect the steamer to salute as one at home
+would."
+
+At the proper second, a flare of red illuminated the end of
+Noirmont Terrace, greatly amazing not only St. Aubin's staid
+population but such inhabitants of St. Helier's as chanced to be
+on the water front, and affording Roger two full moments of
+complete and exquisite satisfaction.
+
+"Real United States!" he said. "I suppose an English boat doesn't
+know enough to whistle--"
+
+Roger stopped with his mouth open. From the _Alouette_ came two
+distinct blasts of the steam siren.
+
+"Oh, that's Mr. Max," burst out Win in delight. "He's been in
+America and understands the etiquette of red fire. And you
+remember he said he knew personally all the captains on the
+Channel boats. Probably he went up to the bridge and got somebody
+to acknowledge our salute! Isn't that simply corking of him?"
+
+"That was surely meant for us," agreed the pleased Frances. "Oh,
+how long shall we have to wait before we see them?"
+
+That very evening Pierre brought a note from Constance, expressing
+appreciative thanks for their fiery welcome, the source of which
+Max had guessed and which he had easily induced Captain Lefevre to
+acknowledge. The note ended with an invitation to tea on Monday
+and promised a solution of some kind to Win's theories concerning
+the Spanish chest.
+
+"How nice of Miss Connie to set the very first possible day," said
+Frances. "I suppose we shall not see them before then."
+
+"Not unless we go to the little old church tomorrow," replied her
+brother. "If you want to, and it's a still day, we might get up
+there."
+
+But the travelers had returned on an evening of clouds and
+threatening winds. Easter Sunday dawned with Jersey in the grip of
+a terrific southeast storm. All day the rain beat on the panes of
+Rose Villa, all day the wind howled and snatched at the shutters,
+the house at times fairly quivering with its force. As dusk came,
+the gale increased to the proportions of a hurricane. Roger, going
+out to the pillar post-box, came struggling back with difficulty.
+
+"I met one of the Noirmont fishermen," he reported. "He said it is
+the worst gale in thirty years and when the weather clears the
+surf will be worth seeing."
+
+"Fisher told me that a southeast storm kicked up a fine sea,"
+replied Win. "I only hope it won't stop our going to the Manor to-
+morrow."
+
+All night the wind raged though the rain finally ceased. It seemed
+as though the reputed witches of Jersey were holding high carnival
+with the unloosed elements of air and water. Day broke, still
+without rain, but the violence of the wind was not lessened. Roger
+ran out to the end of the terrace and came hurrying back.
+
+"Come out, everybody, and look," he shouted above the uproar. "The
+waves are coming over the breakwater. There isn't one inch of
+beach to be seen."
+
+Roger's report was literally true. Though the sea wall protecting
+the town of St. Helier's rose twenty-five feet above the sands,
+the rollers were breaking beyond the wall on the esplanade itself,
+the white foam even running up some of the side streets. Only an
+inky howling mass of white-capped water stretched between the town
+and Elizabeth Castle.
+
+Win, who had managed to make slow progress to a point of vantage,
+stood fascinated by the wild whirl of wind and water. The tide was
+at the flood and the spectacle at its finest. Just a few moments
+sufficed to lessen its grandeur as the waves, yielding to the law
+of their being, were dragged away from the land. Presently,
+instead of dashing over the wall, they broke against it, and then
+came a scene of different interest. The water, forcibly striking
+the masonry, was flung back on the next incoming roller, with a
+collision that sent spray forty feet into the air from the
+violence of the shock. This phenomenon was repeated as the rollers
+crashed down the curve of the wall, continuing for its full
+length, the flying spray looking like consecutive puffs of steam
+from a locomotive.
+
+"Look, there comes the train from St. Helier's!" exclaimed Roger,
+dancing excitedly about. "Doesn't it look as though the ocean was
+trying to catch it?"
+
+The little train had prudently delayed its starting until after
+the turn of the tide. As it crept slowly around the curve of the
+breakwater, great white tongues of foam constantly shot over the
+wall like fingers frantically trying to seize and draw it into the
+sea. But always the hands fell back baffled, to the accompaniment
+of a roar that sounded almost like human disappointment. The train
+reached St. Aubin's dripping with salt water.
+
+"Five stones are torn out of the coping in the wall," reported
+Roger, coming back from his inspection of the adventurous little
+engine. "The guard says they are sweeping pebbles and stones by
+the ton out of the streets beyond the esplanade. And coming down
+here, he twice had a barrel of water slapped right at him. He is
+as wet as a drowned rat."
+
+"The surf must be wonderful at Corbiere," said Estelle. "They say
+there is an undertow off that point which produces something this
+effect of the water flung back by the wall."
+
+"Why, here's Miss Connie!" exclaimed Frances in excitement. Max
+and Constance on horseback were coming down the terrace.
+
+"We've been half round the island," Connie announced after her
+first greetings. Well prepared for wind as they were, both looked
+disheveled. Connie's hair was braided in a thick club down her
+back, evidently the only way she could keep it under control;
+Max's was plastered back by wind and spray, for he had lost his
+hat, and their horses were blown and spattered with salt brine.
+
+"Oh, but it is grand!" Constance went on. "Corbiere light is
+smothered in spray to the very top of the tower. We haven't had a
+storm like this since I was a tiny kiddie."
+
+To talk above the uproar of the surf was difficult. Asking them to
+be at the Manor promptly by three, the two rode away.
+
+"Why three?" asked Frances as they regained the shelter of the
+house.
+
+"I think we are going down into the cave," said Win happily. "Mr.
+Max told me just now that we were to begin exploring there and
+that things would be arranged so that it would not be hard for me.
+I suppose he and Pierre have some plan."
+
+"But you aren't going into the cave on a day like this?" exclaimed
+Mrs. Thayne, quite horrified at this announcement.
+
+"Why, yes, Mother," said Win. "The tide will be as low as usual
+when it does ebb."
+
+"Of course," assented his mother. "I forgot. But how about this
+wind? You must have the pony, Win."
+
+"I will if it keeps up, but I imagine the gale will blow itself
+out by noon."
+
+Win's prophecy proved correct. When the four started to keep their
+engagement, the wind was greatly abated and the only trace of the
+tempest was the ruined vines and gardens that marked their road.
+At the Manor gates, Colonel Lisle, Constance and Max met them.
+
+"It is to be the cave," Connie said gayly. "Max has things all
+mapped out for us."
+
+Arrived at the cliff, the party stopped. Marks of the storm were
+visible in one or two landslides and in a great amount of debris
+strewing the uncovered beach and rocks. Even large stones seemed
+to have been displaced.
+
+Max looked rather serious as he saw so much change in conditions
+usually stable. "I think you'd better let me go down and report
+whether matters are as I expect," he said. "There seems to have
+been considerable doing in this vicinity last evening."
+
+"Let us wait, Win," said Constance quickly. "No use in going down
+until we see how he finds things."
+
+Colonel Lisle also elected to await the report, but Roger and the
+girls accompanied Max. They were gone almost half an hour and the
+watchers on the cliff were beginning to wonder what had happened.
+When they did appear, they called to the others not to come.
+
+"'The best laid plans of mice and men!'" sighed Max as he reached
+the top of the cliff. "Uncle, the storm has picked up all the
+stones I had Pierre clear out of the tunnel and wedged them in
+tight again like a cork in a bottle."
+
+"There was a passage and we can't get into it?" demanded Win
+eagerly, his face reflecting the disappointment visible on the
+faces of the other young people.
+
+"There was," replied Max, looking at him sympathetically, "not
+merely into another cave but striking inland. Pierre cleared its
+mouth and reported it passable for fifty feet. Beyond that he did
+not go. Now, it is stopped as tight as ever. This shows, Uncle,
+how it came to be lost to the recollection of everybody about the
+Manor."
+
+"Yes," said Colonel Lisle. "Very likely it was stopped by a
+similar storm a century or more ago. So far as I know there has
+never been a legend of any tunnel. But, Max," he added, "there is
+yet the cellar where you and Win have decided that the passage
+enters the house."
+
+"May we knock a hole there?" Max asked quickly. Win had said
+nothing more but his disappointment was evident.
+
+"Certainly, if you like," assented the Colonel, smiling. "Only be
+prepared for another disillusion when you get the wall down. The
+existence of the tunnel doesn't ensure that of the chest."
+
+Max whistled, evidently a signal, for Pierre promptly appeared
+with a rope over his shoulder.
+
+"We sha'n't need that now," said Max. He proceeded to add some
+rapid directions in French. Pierre nodded, grinned cheerfully and
+set off at a fast pace.
+
+"I've told him to get another man and come to knock in the vault
+wall," Max explained as they started toward the Manor. "We may not
+get it down this afternoon, but that's all that's left to try. I'm
+beastly annoyed about that tiresome hole. Why should a ripsnorter
+of a storm come on the one day when it could spoil our plans?"
+
+"It's provoking." agreed Win. "Do you suppose there is really
+anything in the passage?"
+
+"Blessed if I know!" replied Max. "The one thing sure is that
+there is a passage. There must be since we located one end of it
+in the cave. If it hadn't been for that, we might not be permitted
+to tear down the wall, but even Uncle is convinced now that the
+tunnel exists."
+
+"Come and have tea," said Connie as they reached the Manor. "It's
+a bit early, but we may as well begin, for nobody knows how long
+it will take to pierce the vault."
+
+Max went down to show the men where to work and reported that the
+stone seemed soft and inclined to break easily. "This isn't going
+to be much of a job," he reported. "I told Pierre to send word as
+soon as he struck through."
+
+"What do you suppose the chest will look like?" asked Frances.
+"Will it be silver?"
+
+"No such luck," Max replied. "Possibly metal, probably wood,
+always provided that we find it."
+
+"You mustn't throw cold water, Max," reproved Connie from behind
+the tea-table. "Since we have found the passage, why not the
+chest? Let's have it a gorgeous one while we are about it, gold
+studded with uncut rubies and the Spanish crown in diamonds."
+
+Frances and Edith shrieked at thought of such sumptuousness and
+one by one each expressed an opinion as to what the box would
+resemble and its probable contents. Roger decided that the chest
+was of solid iron, fastened by seven locks of which they would
+have to find the seven keys and that inside would be discovered a
+complete suit of royal armor.
+
+"I fear that Prince Charles would not have made good his escape
+from England clad in a clanking suit of mail," said the amused
+Colonel.
+
+Just then Yvonne entered with her usual pretty air of importance.
+"It is Pierre who desires M'sieur to attend in the cellar," she
+said, addressing herself to Max.
+
+The entire party rose, hastily placing tea-cups on any convenient
+article of furniture. Roger found the floor most accessible for
+his, but with prudent foresight took with him such easily conveyed
+articles as the jam sandwiches and plum cake upon his plate.
+
+Down in the cellar, Pierre and McNeil, the Scotch gardener, stood
+facing the northern wall just where the newer wing joined the
+oldest Manor vault. Before them yawned a hole already two feet in
+diameter.
+
+With a grin on his face, Pierre thrust his crowbar through and
+showed that a space not quite a yard wide intervened before the
+tool brought up against what was in reality the outer wall of the
+cellar. The partition itself was only a foot thick, but because it
+was of equal thickness throughout its length, Max had not been
+able to detect any difference in resonance.
+
+"_Bien, Pierre!_" exclaimed Max eagerly. "_En avant!_"
+
+Pierre and McNeil attacked the wall again, Pierre all smiles and
+gay glances over this remarkable whim of M'sieur Max, whose whims
+as a rule he found enjoyable; McNeil looking perhaps not grimmer
+than usual, but as though the whole affair was quite below his
+dignity. To knock a hole in a perfectly good stone partition which
+would require a mason to fill and put in proper shape again at an
+expense of solid Jersey shillings, struck his thrifty Scotch soul
+as folly. Still, if Colonel Lisle wished to indulge Mr. Max in
+this youthful eccentricity, it was not McNeil's place to protest.
+
+After fifteen minutes a cavity yawned in the cellar wall,
+disclosing a passage leading to the left.
+
+"That will do, McNeil," said the Colonel. "That's enough for the
+purpose. Go ahead, boys. It was through your efforts that the
+tunnel was located, so it is for you to see this out."
+
+"Win shall be first," said Max. "Step in, old fellow."
+
+Pale with excitement, Win took the offered lantern and approached
+the hole. Once inside the opening he found that he could stand
+erect for the passage ran straight along the cellar wall about
+three feet wide and over five feet high. It seemed dry and the air
+was not musty. Rough stones formed its floor and roof but the
+crude workmanship had been strong and only a few scattered stones
+had fallen during the centuries.
+
+Max followed with another lantern, and Roger made the third
+explorer. The excited heads of the girls were thrust into the
+passage but only Frances actually stepped within.
+
+Win went slowly down the gently sloping tunnel, and presently the
+eager watchers who could catch only glimpses of shadowy roof and
+walls in the fitful light of the lanterns, saw the three stop. In
+her excitement, Fran forgot her fear of the distance stretching
+before her and ran to them. The next second came a wild warwhoop
+from Roger.
+
+"It's here!" Max called more quietly.
+
+At this wonderful news the rest entered the passage, the Colonel
+as eager as the others. Fifty feet from the opening at one side of
+the tunnel was a rough niche or alcove and in it stood a box about
+two feet square. Upon its cover lay the dust of ages, and it was
+scarcely to be distinguished in color from the stones about it.
+
+"We'll bring it out, Uncle," said Max. "No place to open it here.
+You hold the lanterns, Win. Lend a hand, Roger. Go easy; we don't
+know how much knocking it will stand."
+
+His eyes almost starting from his head, Roger took one of the
+handles, the girls stepped back and in two minutes the party stood
+in the open cellar, looking at what was undoubtedly the Spanish
+chest.
+
+[Illustration: WHAT WAS UNDOUBTEDLY THE SPANISH CHEST]
+
+"Is it heavy?" asked Fran breathlessly, while Pierre went for a
+brush to remove the silted dust.
+
+"Rather," said Max, looking boyishly excited. "Ah, now we know the
+style of the chest. No gold box nor uncut rubies, Connie!"
+
+Relieved of its heavy coating of dust, the box proved of dark
+wood, carefully finished and ornamented by plates and corners of
+steel. Upon its cover was inlaid a scroll engraved with the Manor
+arms and the name of Richard Lisle.
+
+"Gracious, what great-grandfather bought that bit of bric-a-brac!"
+exclaimed Connie, seeing her father's eyes light with interested
+pleasure. "It must have been the original Richard himself. Is it
+locked?"
+
+Max tried the lid. "No," he said, straightening up and looking at
+the Colonel. "It is your play, Uncle Dick. Only a Lisle of Laurel
+Manor should open Richard's chest."
+
+The Colonel smiled, stepped forward and with his single hand
+lifted the lid. The excited group about him bent forward eagerly.
+
+At first glance a roll of dark cloth was all that appeared. When
+Colonel Lisle lifted this, it unfolded into a long-skirted coat
+ornamented with many buttons. The fabric was stained and rotten,
+in places moth-eaten. Below the coat lay a pair of leather gloves
+with long wrists, stiff as boards, and two blackened bits of metal
+that proved to be spurs.
+
+For a moment no one spoke. The young people were silent, impressed
+with the fact that long years ago these things had been the
+property of a prince of England.
+
+With a smile the Colonel looked first at Max and then at Win. "Are
+you satisfied?" he asked. "Though the contents of the Spanish
+chest have no value in money, they certainly are rich in
+historical interest."
+
+"Oh, it was the fun of finding it that I cared about," said Win
+quickly. "That was the point for me. And I am so glad there is
+something in it."
+
+"Let's take it up-stairs," suggested Connie. "We can see so much
+better."
+
+The boys and Max delayed to inspect the empty secret passage,
+following to the spot where it was blocked by its stopper of
+stone. Then they joined the group in the study. In bright
+daylight, the fine workmanship on the Toledo steel trimmings of
+the chest stood out in full beauty.
+
+"The design on these buttons is very significant," remarked
+Colonel Lisle, who was inspecting the wreck of the once handsome
+coat. "And I suspect that they are of silver."
+
+Examination showed on the tarnished metal the three ostrich
+feathers that have marked the badge of the Prince of Wales since
+the far-off days of Edward the Black Prince. Below was the motto,
+"Ich dien," and the single letter C.
+
+"On my next new suit I guess I'll have buttons marked R," said
+Roger solemnly.
+
+The others laughed. A feeling of real awe had been creeping over
+them to think that garment had once been worn by Prince Charles.
+
+"Here's a loose button," said Max, picking it out of the box. "The
+whole coat is falling in pieces."
+
+"The buttons will last indefinitely," said Colonel Lisle,
+regarding thoughtfully the one Max had just rescued. "Thanks to
+Win's clever brain, the Manor has acquired an unsuspected secret
+passage and a valuable antique; of especial value to me because of
+the name it bears. I want you to keep this button, Win, for I
+think you, almost more than any one I know, will appreciate it and
+what it stands for."
+
+Win turned pale. To possess a silver button once the property of
+bonnie Prince Charlie rendered him speechless.
+
+"Oh, Colonel Lisle," he said after a minute, "I oughtn't to take a
+thing of such value. It belongs here."
+
+"I want you to have it, my boy," replied the Colonel kindly. "I
+really am indebted to you, for we have positive proof now that the
+Manor walls once sheltered the Prince."
+
+"I should value that button above all things," said Win simply,
+"if you really wish me to have it. Only it seems as though Mr. Max
+had done much more toward solving the mystery."
+
+"I merely followed the lead you gave me," said Max, who was
+looking at him with a very friendly expression. "You played a
+pretty fine game yourself, Win."
+
+"As for that," said the Colonel smiling, "Maxfield may have a
+button too, if he cares for it."
+
+"Thank you, Uncle Dick," Max replied promptly. "I do value it, but
+perhaps for the present, it would better stop with the others."
+
+As Max spoke, he looked not at the Colonel but at Constance,
+leaning against the table beside him. Something in their attitude
+struck Win's always acute perception. For the first time he
+doubted whether the young people of the Manor had been as
+genuinely absorbed in that search as he supposed. About Max, half-
+sitting on the corner of the study table, about Connie, with her
+hands loosely clasped before her, there was a certain air of quiet
+detachment, as of those who politely look on at some interesting
+comedy, but who, as soon as courtesy permits, will return to
+affairs of more importance.
+
+"You need not have the least scruple about accepting it, Win," the
+Colonel went on. "We hope this will not be your last visit to the
+island, but in any case, whenever you look at that old relic, you
+will have to give us a thought as well."
+
+Win turned the tarnished button on his palm. Yes, the sight of it
+would always bring back memories of the green lanes, the red
+cliffs, the turquoise sea of Jersey, not least the hours in the
+library, the Spanish chest and the Lisles of Laurel Manor.
+
+
+      *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+AFTERWORD
+
+
+After the story was finished and the characters were going away,
+Max and Connie turned back.
+
+"We have kept our promise?" they asked. "We have played quite
+nicely and haven't been silly?"
+
+"You have really been very good," admitted the author. "If Max
+hadn't appeared just when he did to rescue Edith and Frances from
+the tide, probably the story must have stopped there. And Connie
+has been most helpful about lending the Manor house and the beach
+dog."
+
+"May we play again?" Max asked.
+
+"I think not," decided the author. "This is five months later. You
+really must be grown-up now and stay so."
+
+"We have been all the time," said Connie. "We've pretended just to
+please you. But since you let us come into the story when we
+weren't expected nor invited, it is only polite to tell you what
+we are going to do now."
+
+They looked at each other and smiled.
+
+"Every girl who reads this story will want to know," Connie went
+on. "It would indeed be very diverting to be Princess Santo-Ponte,
+but somehow I think the chances of 'living happily ever after' are
+greater with Max. There's nothing at all romantic about marrying
+Max, but you might just mention that I'm going to do it."
+
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Spanish Chest, by Edna A. Brown
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SPANISH CHEST ***
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Spanish Chest, by Edna A. Brown
+
+Copyright laws are changing all over the world. Be sure to check the
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+*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!*****
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+Title: The Spanish Chest
+
+Author: Edna A. Brown
+
+Release Date: November, 2004 [EBook #6998]
+[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule]
+[This file was first posted on February 20, 2003]
+
+Edition: 10
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: Latin-1
+
+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SPANISH CHEST ***
+
+
+
+
+This eBook was produced by Vital Debroey, Charles Franks
+and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: "WHAT IS IS THIS TINY DOTTED LINE ACROSS THE
+GROUNDS?" WIN INQUIRED]
+
+
+
+
+
+THE SPANISH CHEST
+
+BY
+
+EDNA A. BROWN
+
+ILLUSTRATED BY JOHN GOSS AND FROM PHOTOGRAPHS
+
+
+DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF FLORENCE AND CLARA
+
+who shared a winter spent in the Channel Islands and
+have now gone on a longer journey.
+
+ This little book I wrote for thee
+ Thy friendly eyes will never see.
+ It was not meant for critics' reading,
+ Nor for the world that scans unheeding.
+ For there are lines washed in with tears,
+ As well as nonsense, mocking fears.
+ Alas! thine eyes will never see
+ This little book I wrote for thee.
+
+
+
+
+THE SPANISH CHEST
+
+
+
+
+FOREWORD
+
+
+Once upon a time a clever Japanese artist drew a sketch of a man
+who sat industriously painting, when, to his great amazement, all
+the little figures on his canvas came to life and began to walk
+out of the picture.
+
+Something like that happened to this book. Books grow, you know,
+because somebody thinks so hard about the different characters
+that gradually they turn into lifelike people, who often insist on
+doing things that weren't expected. When this especial book began
+to grow, two persons who hadn't been invited, came and wanted to
+be in the story.
+
+The author politely remarked that they were grown-up and couldn't
+expect to be in a book for young people.
+
+They said that they were not so very grown-up, only twenty-three
+and a half and that they still knew how to play.
+
+Connie said that her home was in the Island of Jersey where the
+story was going to be, and if she came in, she could make things
+much more pleasant for the other characters.
+
+Max said that the story would go to smash without him, because he
+should be needed at an important moment.
+
+So, because they looked most wistful and promised very earnestly
+to behave as though they were nice children, and not be silly, the
+author said they might have a share in the story.
+
+Connie at once offered to lend her collie. So that is how the
+beach dog happens to be in the book.
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+CHAPTER
+
+    I.  AT ROSE VILLA
+   II.  FRAN ENGAGES LODGINGS
+  III.  ST. HELIER'S
+   IV.  THE BEACH DOG
+    V.  MONT ORGUEIL
+   VI.  A RACE WITH THE TIDE
+  VII.  MR. MAX
+ VIII.  RICHARD LISLE'S LETTER
+   IX.  CHRISTMAS IN JERSEY
+    X.  THE BUN WORRY
+   XI.  THE MANOR CAVE
+  XII.  WIN VISITS THE LIBRARY
+ XIII.  ABOUT THE SPANISH CHEST
+  XIV.  IN THE VAULTS
+   XV.  THE HAUNTED ROOM
+  XVI.  THE MANOR GHOST
+ XVII.  THE DOTTED LINE
+XVIII.  ROGER THE MAROONED
+  XIX.  AT CORBIERE
+   XX.  WIN WONDERS
+  XXI.  THE TWO CHAINS
+ XXII.  THE CHEST ITSELF
+
+
+
+
+ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+"What is this tiny dotted line across the grounds?" Win inquired
+
+The Village of St. Aubin's
+
+"For a long time people supposed they were called Martello towers
+from the man who built them"
+
+Above and behind towered the ruined castle of Orgueil
+
+"Look there is a Jersey cow among the cabbages"
+
+"He'll come for us! He means us to climb this rock and wait"
+
+A most interesting little Church almost on the water's edge
+
+The old Norman gateway leading to Vinchelez Manor
+
+They came upon the loveliest of little beaches
+
+Plémont is the spot where the cable comes in from England
+
+Win's plan of the Manor cellars
+
+What was undoubtedly the Spanish Chest
+
+
+
+
+THE SPANISH CHEST
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+AT ROSE VILLA
+
+
+The silence in the little drawing-room had lasted for some moments
+before being broken by the man seated in the big wicker chair. His
+dress indicated a clergyman of the Church of England, his face
+betrayed lines of kindliness and forbearance, but its present
+expression showed a perplexity not unmixed with disapproval.
+
+"I suppose, Miss Pearce," he said at length, "there is no use in
+trying further to dissuade you from your plan, and of course it
+may work out for the best. But--you will excuse me, my dear, for I
+have daughters of my own--you seem too young to undertake a
+lodging-house. Now a position as governess in a nice family--"
+
+Estelle Pearce interrupted him quickly.
+
+"There is Edith, you know. Should I try teaching, it would mean
+separation from her. And I _must_ keep Edith with me. We have only
+each other now. No, Mr. Angus, I thank you from the bottom of my
+heart for your interest in us, but I am sure it is best to try my
+plan. You see I have the house on my hands. When we came to
+Jersey, Father leased it for the winter and I can't afford to
+forfeit thirty pounds. And there is Nurse as well as Annette.
+Surely Nurse lends dignity to any family. But I am older than you
+think," she ended with a smile and a pretty blush. "I am twenty-
+four, Mr. Angus."
+
+A kindly look came into the eyes bent on her slender, black-robed
+figure. "You do not look it, my dear," her visitor said after a
+pause. "Well, with two good servants, the plan may be successful.
+Much depends on what class of lodgers comes your way. I am told
+that Americans are rather desirable inmates, that they pay well
+and are not exacting. If you could let your rooms to some refined
+American ladies, things might adjust themselves very satisfactorily.
+To be sure, few Americans visit the Channel Islands; they are
+given to wandering farther afield. But I will speak of your plans to
+the postmaster and one or two others. It might be advisable to
+put a card in the circulating library at St. Helier's. Rest assured
+that both Mrs. Angus and I will do all we can for your father's girls.
+Lionel and I were good friends at Oxford though we saw so little of
+each other afterwards. I did not think when he wrote me scarcely
+six weeks ago that it was to be Hail and Farewell.
+
+"I must go," he added quickly, seeing that Estelle's eyes were
+brimming. "Where is Edith? I hoped to see her also."
+
+"She has gone to the sands," replied Estelle. "It is dull for her,
+moping here, so I sent her for an errand and told her to run down
+and see whether the tide had turned. She begins school on Monday."
+
+Mr. Angus took his leave, and still looking doubtful, went down
+the steps of Rose Villa, a quaint little house, covered with
+tinted plaster, as is the pretty custom of the Channel Islands,
+and appearing even to a masculine ignorance of details much more
+neat and attractive than its neighbors.
+
+So Mr. Angus thought, as he turned from his puzzled survey of its
+exterior, to walk slowly down the short street at the end of which
+glittered the waters of the English Channel.
+
+The tide was on the turn but the expanse of sandy beach lay yet
+broad. Far toward St. Helier's the curve of the port showed the
+high sea-wall, for this same innocent-looking tide that ebbs and
+leaves behind miles of sandy stretches and rocks, can return with
+force sufficient to dash over even the lofty breakwater and
+surprise the placid Jerseymen at times, by scattering large stones
+in the esplanade.
+
+But here at St. Aubin's the curve of Noirmont Point sheltered the
+little town from the full force of the waves. Dr. Angus looked
+from the end of Noirmont Terrace straight down to the sands and
+saw in the distance the sunset air filled with wheeling gulls, a
+group of boys playing football on the wide level, and somewhat
+nearer, a slender girl of fourteen, dressed in black, with long
+fair hair floating over her shoulders.
+
+She was walking slowly and the kind clergyman attributed her
+leisurely pace to dejection, but as a matter of fact, Edith was
+feeling quite happy and much interested in the tiny bright yellow
+snail shells the beach was providing for entertainment. She had
+been spared all that was possible of the depression and sorrow of
+the past weeks. Daddy had been poorly for years and Edith could
+not remember him as ever well and strong. His loss affected her
+more because it grieved Estelle, the only mother she had known.
+
+There had been a few sad confused days when nothing seemed real,
+and strangers had been kind in a way that Estelle accepted with a
+sort of resentful patience, plain even to Edith. But since then,
+life had been rather cheerful, with a great deal of attention from
+Nurse, and Estelle's time almost wholly given to her. It was
+gratifying to share Sister's confidence and to help arrange the
+rooms attractively for the possible delightful people who ought to
+come to lodge with them.
+
+That they might not be delightful, Sister would not admit for a
+moment, so of course they would be. St. Aubin's itself was far
+more desirable as a place of residence than the noisy Exeter
+street where Edith had spent much of her life. Far back in the
+past she could just remember a charming Surrey village with a
+pretty vine-covered church where Daddy used to preach. She could
+recall exactly how her fat legs dangled helplessly from the high
+pew seat. Directly behind sat a stout farmer with four sons. The
+boys made faces at Edith on the sly; their mother sometimes gave
+her peppermints.
+
+Edith's thoughts had wandered rather far afield, though still
+alert for any gleam of the yellow shells, when she arrived
+opposite Noirmont Terrace and reluctantly left the sands. A light
+shone from the drawing-room and she knew that Annette would be
+bringing in supper, and Sister would be found poring over a little
+account book with a "don't speak just now" look in her eyes.
+
+But Estelle proved to be waiting at the open door and as Edith
+began to run on catching sight of her, she thought that Sister
+somehow looked happier.
+
+"Did you meet Mr. Angus?" Estelle inquired. "He went toward the
+sands."
+
+"I saw him in the distance," replied Edith. "Why, Star, you look
+like--like a star," she ended laughing. "Was Mr. Angus agreeable?
+Did he say you oughtn't to take people?"
+
+"I think he doesn't wholly disapprove now," answered Estelle
+gently. "And he is going to do what he can toward sending pleasant
+lodgers. Wouldn't it be nice if some dear old ladies should come
+and want to stay with us all winter?"
+
+"Just ladies?" queried Edith. "Do they have to be old?"
+
+"I shouldn't take gentlemen," said Estelle. "Nurse wouldn't
+approve, and ladies would be pleasanter. Perhaps there might be a
+young mother and some ducky little children. How would you like
+that?"
+
+"Much better," responded Edith. "I don't want any fussy old freaks
+with false fronts and shawls. They'd expect to be read aloud to
+and waited on within an inch of their lives. I'd like some babies
+to take down to dig and paddle. Do say you'll have children,
+Sister."
+
+"Well, as a matter of fact, I think we'll have to take the people
+who want to come," replied Estelle sensibly. "Let's just hope that
+somebody very nice will think we'd be nice to stay with. Come in
+now, Edith. Annette has shrimps for supper and after we are
+finished, we will put a card in the window and see what happens
+next."
+
+But the little white card that most modestly announced "Lodgings"
+remained in the drawing-room casement for a week, and every day as
+Edith came from school, she looked anxiously to see whether it was
+gone. Its absence would mean that some one had looked at the rooms
+with approval.
+
+One afternoon as she came up the Terrace, the sight of an unknown
+face at an upper window sent a thrill down her back. The card was
+yet in evidence but the presence of strangers indicated that some
+one had felt attracted by Rose Villa. Yes, there was a cab at the
+door.
+
+As Edith entered quietly a voice struck her ear, struck it
+unpleasantly, an English voice, high-pitched and rather
+supercilious.
+
+"I should require to see your kitchen, Miss Pearce, and your
+servants. I am most particular. In fact, I must be free at any
+time to inspect the scullery. There must be a definite arrangement
+about Marmaduke's meals. He likes a light breakfast with plenty of
+cream, and for dinner a chop or a bit of chicken. His dinner must
+be served with my luncheon. Then for tea--"
+
+"I am afraid my servants would be unwilling to cook especially for
+a dog," interposed Estelle's voice, courteous but with a chilling
+tone Edith had never suspected it possessed. "It is useless for
+you to consider the lodgings."
+
+"Oh, your rooms are very passable," said the voice. "Small, of
+course, and underfurnished, but some pictures and antimacassars
+would take off that bare look. And Marmaduke is adorable. Your
+cook would soon be devotion itself. Why, at my last lodgings--"
+
+"I really cannot undertake the care of a pet animal," said Estelle
+firmly. "I hope to have other lodgers and his presence might be
+objectionable to them. You will excuse me now, as I have an
+engagement. I will ring for Nurse to show you out."
+
+"Well, really, Miss Pearce," began the voice, but Nurse appeared
+on the scene so promptly that one might have suspected her of
+being all the time within hearing distance. Edith scuttled into
+the drawing-room, just avoiding a very large, over-dressed person,
+who came ponderously down the stairs, a moppy white dog festooned
+over one arm. Her face was red and perspiring and she seemed to be
+indignantly struggling with feelings too strong for words. Edith
+could not suppress a stifled laugh as she was ushered from the
+house in Nurse's grandest manner.
+
+Emerging from her refuge, Edith saw Estelle on the landing, her
+face pale except for a tiny red spot on either cheek, her eyes
+unnaturally bright.
+
+"My word, Star!" said Edith, giggling, "didn't you get rid of her
+finely? What a fearful person!"
+
+"She was impossible," said Estelle. "Oh, Nurse," she exclaimed
+impetuously, seeing the old family servant still lingering in the
+hall, "do you suppose only people like that will want lodgings?"
+
+"No, indeed, my lamb," replied Nurse, casting a glance of
+satisfaction after the cab disappearing from the terrace. "Don't
+you fret, Miss Star, and don't you take the first people who come.
+Just bide your time, and there'll be some quality who will be what
+you ought to have."
+
+"Mr. Angus thought Americans might be rather desirable," said
+Estelle hesitatingly. To prepare Nurse for such a possibility
+might be wise.
+
+Nurse pursed her lips significantly. "Well, it's not for me to
+disagree with the reverend gentleman," she remarked. "And I
+haven't been in contact with Americans. No doubt they're well
+enough in their country, but I hope, Miss Star, it'll be some of
+our people that want to come. Now an elderly couple or some
+middle-aged ladies would be quite suitable and proper, but
+Americans--Well, I don't know."
+
+Nurse shook her head dubiously as she left the room. Edith came to
+put her arms about Estelle.
+
+"What a fearful woman that was!" she repeated, drawing her sister
+toward the window. "Poor Star, I'm sorry you had to talk to her.
+Rooms underfurnished, indeed! And you tried so hard not to have
+them crowded and messed with frightful crocheted wool things.
+She'd want a tidy on every chair and extra ones for Sunday. And
+you've made things so pretty, Star!"
+
+"We think so, don't we!" replied Estelle, kissing her little
+comforter. "Somebody may yet come who will agree with us. We won't
+give up hope."
+
+Estelle was silent for a moment. She did not want Edith to suspect
+how very necessary it was that those rooms should prove attractive
+to somebody.
+
+"Is that the Southampton boat just rounding the point?" she added.
+"She's extremely late."
+
+"They must have had a rough passage," agreed Edith, looking at the
+steamer ploughing into the smooth water of St. Aubin's bay. "Let's
+put a wish on her, Star. Let's wish, _hard_, that she has on board
+the nicest people that ever were and that they're coming straight
+out here and say they'd like to spend the winter with us!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+FRAN ENGAGES LODGINGS
+
+
+"I positively refuse," said Mrs. Thayne, "to go out again to-day.
+And I wish you wouldn't go either, Wingate," she added to her older
+son. "That steamer trip was frightful. What a night we did have!
+As for you two," she went on to Frances and Roger, "I suppose you
+won't be happy until you are off for an exploring expedition, but
+I don't see how you can feel like it."
+
+"Why, Mother, I wasn't seasick," said Roger, a handsome,
+mischievous-looking boy about twelve. "I slept like a log till I
+heard Win being--hmm--unhappy. That woke me but I turned over and
+didn't know anything more till daylight."
+
+"I shouldn't have been sick if you hadn't begun it, Mother,"
+observed Frances, turning from the window overlooking the
+esplanade. "I feel all right now. Mayn't Roger and I go down on
+the beach or take a car ride?" she asked, eagerly.
+
+"I don't imagine there are any electric cars on the island," said
+Mrs. Thayne.
+
+"But out here is a funny little steam tram marked St. Aubin's,"
+interposed Frances. "It's going somewhere. Look at the dinky cars
+with a kind of balcony and that speck of an engine."
+
+"That's a pony engine for sure," drawled Win, joining his sister
+at the window. Except that he was thin and fragile no one could
+have known from Win's clever, merry dark face, how greatly he was
+handicapped by a serious heart trouble. But the contrast between
+his tall, loosely-knit figure and Fran's compact little person
+brought a wistful expression into Mrs. Thayne's observant eyes.
+Win was seventeen and had never been able to play as other boys
+did. Probably all his life would be different, yet he was so
+plucky and brave over his limitations.
+
+"There's the _Lydia_ down in the harbor," exclaimed Frances. "My,
+didn't she wiggle around last night!"
+
+  "Lydia, Lydia, why dost thou tremble?
+     Answer me true.
+  Traveler, traveler, I'll not dissemble,
+     'Tis but the screw.
+
+  Lydia, Lydia, why this commotion?
+     Answer me quick.
+  Traveler, traveler, 'tis but a notion.
+     You must be sick!"
+
+drawled Win, following the direction of his sister's glance.
+
+"Win, how bright of you!" she exclaimed. "I wish I could think of
+things like that. But, Mother, mayn't we go out and take that
+little train wherever it's going?"
+
+"Yes, I suppose so," agreed Mrs. Thayne. "Take care of Fran,
+Roger, and don't get separated. You might notice any attractive
+places offering lodgings. We don't want to stay in this hotel all
+winter and the sooner we are settled the better."
+
+"Come along, Fran," exclaimed Roger. "That infant train is getting
+a move on."
+
+The two tore impetuously from the sitting-room. "Such energy!"
+Mrs. Thayne remarked with a sigh. "Will you lie down here, Win?"
+
+"No, I think I'll write a bit," replied her son. "I'm not so done
+up as you are, Mother."
+
+"Why Roger wasn't ill after the strange combination of food he ate
+at Winchester last evening is a miracle," remarked Mrs. Thayne.
+"Were you planning to write to Father?"
+
+"I will," replied her son. "Mother, do go and rest. You look like
+the latter end of a wasted life. But I hope the kids will light on
+some lodgings. I've had enough of hotels. Nothing on earth is so
+deadly dull and so deadly respectable as a first-class English
+hotel."
+
+"Why, of course it is respectable," said Mrs. Thayne, looking
+rather puzzled.
+
+"Thunder, yes! But it's so _fearfully_ proper! That head-waiter
+down-stairs, with his side-whiskers and his velvet tread and his
+confidential voice--why, when he came to take my order, I wanted
+to pull his hair or do something to turn him into a human being."
+
+Mrs. Thayne smiled. Much as she loved Win, she did not always
+understand him. Shut out from active sports, Win had early taken
+refuge in the world of books and his quick perceptions were often
+those of a mature mind.
+
+When his mother had gone into her room, Win settled himself by the
+west window overlooking the bay where Castle Elizabeth rose on its
+rock in the middle distance. Win looked at it approvingly,
+promising himself later the fun of finding out its history and
+present use. Just now, he would devote himself to getting the
+family journal up to date for Father, on duty with the _Philadelphia_,
+somewhere near Constantinople. It was to be on the same
+side of the Atlantic that the Thaynes had come to England and
+a slight attack of bronchitis on Win's part had resulted in this
+additional trip. Jersey was reported to possess a mild climate as
+well as good schools where Roger and Frances might have new and
+probably interesting experiences. Win himself was not equal to
+school routine, but there would doubtless be some tutor available
+to give him an hour or two every day, a pleasant and easy task for
+some young man, for Win was always eager to study when health
+permitted.
+
+Deep in his heart was the ever-present regret that he could not
+enter Annapolis nor follow in the footsteps of his father, but if
+an elder brother had any influence, Roger was going into the naval
+service. At present, Roger showed no inclination to such a future,
+and was but mildly interested in his father's career, but Captain
+Thayne and Win shared an unspoken hope that a change would come
+with the passing years.
+
+For some time after finishing his letter, Win sat with eyes on
+Castle Elizabeth, idly speculating about the coming winter. This
+old-world island, with its differing customs and ancient
+traditions seemed a place where most interesting things might
+happen, a land of romance and fairy gold, offering possibilities
+of strange adventure. Just because Win was debarred from most
+boyish fun, his mind turned eagerly to deeds of daring. Visions of
+pirates, smugglers, and buried hoards often danced through his
+brain, and the least suggestion of any mystery was enough to
+excite his keen interest. That hoary old castle on its island
+proved a source of many romantic ideas to Win, who presently fell
+into a day-dream.
+
+The sun set in crimson splendor behind the castle towers and Win's
+reverie changed to genuine slumber from which he was roused by the
+reappearance of Mrs. Thayne.
+
+"I'm sorry I waked you," she said. "I didn't notice that you were
+asleep."
+
+"Why, I didn't know I was," said Win lazily. "I must have been
+dreaming and yet I thought I was awake. It was such an odd dream
+about a young man or rather a boy, in queer clothes ornamented
+with silver buttons and wearing his hair in curls over his
+shoulders. I was following him somewhere through a passage, very
+dark and narrow. Then suddenly we were in a room with a big
+fireplace and books around the walls. It was a beautiful old room
+but I never remember seeing a place like it. Some other people
+came, all men, also in queer clothes and very quiet and serious.
+On a table was food of some kind and this boy I had been following
+began to eat but the others stood about, apparently consulting
+over something. Then I woke. Wasn't it a crazy dream? Oh, the
+reason we were in that passage was because something was lost. I
+don't know what it was nor how I knew it was lost but we were
+trying to find it."
+
+"That was odd. You must have read something that suggested it,"
+Mrs. Thayne began, just as Fran and Roger came into the room,
+bursting with suppressed excitement. For a few moments they talked
+in a duet.
+
+"Mother, it's lovely over at St. Aubin's, ever so much nicer than
+here," Fran began breathlessly, her brown eyes sparkling. "And
+such a funny little train running along the esplanade!"
+
+"You couldn't believe there was such a beach," put in Roger. "Why,
+the tide goes out forever, clear to the horizon! Fellows were
+playing football down there, two games. How much does this tide
+rise, Win?"
+
+"This book I've been reading says forty feet," replied his
+brother.
+
+"And the houses!" Fran went on breathlessly, "all colors, cream
+and brown and blue and pink."
+
+"Oh, draw it mild, Sis," interrupted Win. "I should admire a pink
+house."
+
+"It's out there," said Frances, "and what's more, it's very
+pretty!"
+
+"That's right," corroborated Roger. "Wouldn't a pink house look
+something fierce at home? But here it's swell and kind of--of
+appropriate," he ended lamely.
+
+"And flowers, Mother," Frances took up the tale. "_Hedges_ of
+fuchsia, real live tall hedges, not measly little potted plants.
+Geraniums as tall as I am, and ever so many roses and violets. Oh,
+and we've found some lodgings. You're to see them to-morrow."
+
+"Frances!" exclaimed her horrified mother. "You haven't been in
+strange houses, inspecting rooms?"
+
+"Why, you told us to look for them, didn't you, Mother?" replied
+her astonished and literal daughter. "Roger was with me. It was
+perfectly all right."
+
+"I simply meant you to notice from the outside any attractive
+houses that advertised lodgings," explained Mrs. Thayne. "Well--"
+she ended helplessly, "I suppose there's no harm done."
+
+"Why, no," Frances agreed. "What could happen? Let me tell you
+about them. We took the baby cars and got off at St. Aubin's
+because that especial train didn't go any farther. It's lovely
+there, Mother, and plenty of lodgings to let. We walked along and
+saw one house that looked pleasant, so we went up and rang and a
+maid showed us into a parlor. We knew right off we didn't want to
+come there, because the place was so dark and stuffy and there
+were fourteen hundred family photographs and knit woolen mats and
+such things around. I was going to sit down but just as I got near
+the chair,--it was rather dark, you see,--something said 'Hello!'
+and there was a horrid great parrot sitting on the back of the
+chair. I jumped about a foot."
+
+"You screamed, too," said Roger.
+
+"I may have exclaimed," admitted Frances judicially. "It was not a
+scream. If I had yelled, you would have known it. Well, a messy
+old woman came who called me 'dear,' but when I said I didn't
+believe my mother would care for the rooms, she got huffy and said
+she was accustomed to rent her rooms to ladies, only she
+pronounced it _lydies_.
+
+"We left that place," went on Frances, paying no attention to the
+look of silent endurance on her mother's face, "and walked some
+distance without seeing anything we liked. But suddenly we came to
+a tiny street going down to the sea. There were only six houses
+and one had a card in the window. They faced the bay and just big
+rocks were on the other side of the street. Now, listen."
+
+Frances went on dramatically. "The house with the card was the
+dearest thing, all cream-color and green, with a pink rambler rose
+perfectly enormous, growing 'way up to the eaves, and a rough roof
+of red tiles and steep gables. The windows were that dinky kind
+that open outward and had little bits of panes. Everything was
+clean as clean, the steps and the curtains and the glass. While we
+were looking, the door opened and a girl came out. She was about
+my age, Mother, but _so_ pretty, with gray eyes and yellow hair
+and _such_ a complexion. I'd give anything to look like her."
+
+Frances shook her head with disapproval over her own brown hair
+and eyes. To be sure the one was curly and the others straightforward
+and earnest, while her gipsy little face and figure were considered
+attractive by most people and by those who loved her, very satisfactory
+indeed.
+
+"Well, this girl came out and we sort of smiled at each other and
+I asked if that card meant that there were rooms to let. I told
+her you were seasick, and at the hotel, and my brother and I saw
+the card and we were looking for lodgings and all the rest, you
+know. She said yes, there were rooms and she'd call Sister.
+
+"Sister came and she was a love, tall and sweet and just
+beautiful, only she looked sad and wore a black dress. The younger
+girl went away but Sister showed us the rooms and they are just
+what we'd like, I'm sure. There wasn't any messy wool stuff nor
+ugly vases,--I forgot to mention that in the other place there
+were eight pair of vases on the mantel, truly, for Roger counted
+them. These rooms were clean and rather bare, with painted floors
+and washable rugs and fresh curtains and flowers, just one vase in
+each room and a clear glass vase at that. The beds had iron frames
+and good springs and mattresses, for I punched them to see. Aren't
+you proud to think I knew enough to do that?" Fran interrupted her
+story.
+
+"Two bedrooms had the furniture painted white and the rest had
+some old mahogany," she went on.
+
+"How many rooms were there?" inquired Mrs. Thayne, attracted by
+Fran's enthusiasm and interested by the pleasant picture she was
+describing.
+
+"On the first floor is the drawing-room, which will be at our
+disposal," began Frances, evidently quoting "Sister." "It's pretty
+and sweet, Mother dear, very simple with a little upright piano
+and quite a number of books and a fireplace. Just behind is a room
+where we can have our meals. We can use as many bedrooms as we
+like; there are five and Sister said if we wished, one could be
+made into an up-stairs-sitting-room. The bathroom was really up-
+to-date, and looking _very_ clean."
+
+"And how much does Sister expect for all this?" inquired her
+mother.
+
+"Well," admitted Frances, "I asked and she smiled so sweetly and
+said it depended upon how much service we required and whether we
+wanted to do our own marketing and perhaps it would be better to
+discuss the terms after you saw whether you liked the rooms. I
+told her we were Americans and she said yes, she had thought so. I
+don't see why," Frances ended reflectively.
+
+Win gave a chuckle. "Easy enough to guess," he remarked. "I
+imagine English girls of fourteen don't go around on their own
+hook, engaging lodgings for the family."
+
+"I am almost fifteen," said his sister severely. "And I understood
+that Mother wanted me to look for rooms, so I did, but of course
+she will make the final arrangements. I thanked Sister and said
+I'd try to bring my mother in the morning, for I felt sure she
+would like the rooms. And Sister said she'd be very glad to have
+young people in the house and that if you wanted references,
+Mother, you could apply to some clergyman,--I forget his name,--
+but I know it's all right. You'll think so, too, the minute you
+see Sister. I fell in love with her. Oh, her name is Pearce,
+Estelle Pearce. She gave me her card."
+
+Frances produced it. "You will come and see the rooms to-morrow,
+won't you, Mother? Win can come too, for that tiny train is very
+comfortable and the walk to the house is short. Rose Villa,
+Noirmont Terrace. Isn't that a sweet name?"
+
+[Illustration: THE VILLAGE OF ST. AUBIN'S]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+ST. HELIER'S
+
+
+The moment she entered Rose Villa, Mrs. Thayne heartily agreed
+with Frances as to its desirability. To Estelle's amazement, she
+proceeded to engage all the rooms, offering to pay for the
+privilege of having the whole house for her family.
+
+This was better fortune than Estelle had dreamed of and scarcely
+two days passed before she realized that a kindly star was
+favoring her. Frances and Edith became friends on the spot; Nurse,
+who might have proved a problem, took an instant fancy to delicate
+Win and started on a course of coddling that luckily amused Win
+quite as much as it satisfied Nurse. Blunt, downright Roger
+appealed especially to Estelle, who also found Mrs. Thayne
+charming.
+
+"Aren't we in luck, little sister?" she confided to Edith. "Even
+our wildest expectations couldn't have pictured anything more
+pleasant than this. If they only stop the winter! But where are
+you going now?"
+
+"On the sands with the others," said Edith happily. "Fran asked
+me. The boys have gone ahead to the end of the terrace."
+
+Win was singing softly to himself as he stood looking down upon
+the sandy beach that stretched for miles towards St. Helier's at
+the left, and on the right, though showing more warm red granite
+rocks, to Noirmont Point. "Britannia needs no bulwarks, no towers
+along the steeps," he hummed just above his breath.
+
+"There's a tower right in front of you," commented Roger, between
+the throwing of two stones.
+
+Win cast a glance at the deserted castle of St. Aubin's, a
+miniature Castle Elizabeth on its isolated rock off shore, another
+at the martello tower on the point.
+
+"I was talking to a man about those little towers," he remarked.
+"One can be rented for a pound a year, and there are thirty-two of
+them around the island. But they didn't amount to much when it
+came to actual fighting. The rocks and tides are what makes Jersey
+safe. That's what I meant by this place needing no bulwarks."
+
+"One of those martello towers would make a fine wireless station,"
+commented Roger. "Why did they build them if they aren't any use?"
+
+"They thought they were going to be," replied Win, looking to see
+whether the girls were coming. "About two centuries ago there was
+a battle down in the Mediterranean that was decided by the
+possession of one of those little towers, so England built a good
+many. But they weren't much use after all."
+
+"I never knew that before," said Edith, as she and Frances joined
+the boys.
+
+"England wasn't the only nation that was taken in by them," Win
+went on. "Italy has a number on her southern coast. For a long
+time people supposed they were called martello towers from the man
+who built them, but I found in a book that the name came from a
+vine that grew over this one in Corsica. Before many moons pass
+I'm going to get into one of them. Smugglers must have used them
+and there may be things left behind."
+
+Frances cast a glance at the tower in question. At first
+inspection it looked like a stony mushroom sprouting from the
+rocks. Some distance above the base opened a rough entrance and a
+low parapet encircled the top. To scramble over the exposed rocks
+to the base of this especial tower appeared a hard climb, to say
+nothing of the difficulties of ascending. The feat looked beyond
+Win's accomplishment but Frances said nothing. To argue with Win
+about whether he could or ought to attempt anything was never
+wise. Left to himself he would stop within the bounds of prudence
+but resented solicitude from others.
+
+"Well, where are we going?" she asked.
+
+"Let's take the train into St. Helier's," suggested Win. "We've
+scarcely seen the town."
+
+Edith looked doubtful. "I ought to ask Sister," she said. "Star
+thought we were just going on the sands."
+
+"And so we are," replied Roger. "We're taking a train that runs on
+the sands," he mimicked in a teasing, boyish way. "Why don't you
+call it a beach?"
+
+"Because it _is_ sands," retorted Edith with a pretty flash of
+spirit that Roger already delighted to arouse. "The tram-line is
+far beyond the shingle."
+
+[Illustration: "FOR A LONG TIME PEOPLE SUPPOSED THEY WERE CALLED
+MARTELLO TOWERS FROM THE MAN WHO BUILT THEM."]
+
+"Shingle!" gasped Roger, staring in that direction. "I don't see
+any."
+
+"The pebbles, cobbles, beyond the sands," explained Edith.
+
+"Oh, excuse _me_," chuckled Roger. "I thought they were plain
+stones. Didn't see anything particularly wooden about them."
+
+Edith looked at him. A few days had made her feel very well
+acquainted with these friendly young people, but Roger was often
+surprising.
+
+"Oh, cut it short, Roger," drawled Win. "Run back, will you, and
+tell Mother that we want to go into town. She won't care and I
+don't believe Miss Estelle will either, but we ought to mention
+it. Hustle, because I think that train is coming."
+
+Roger obligingly bolted back, received a nod of possible
+comprehension from a mother very much absorbed in an important
+letter, and arrived just as the others boarded the steam tram, a
+funny affair with a kind of balcony along one side where people
+who preferred the air could stay instead of going inside. Edith
+and Frances exchanged smiles of happiness.
+
+"I haven't been to St. Helier's often," Edith confided. "Just to
+market once with Nurse, and once to choose curtains with Sister.
+We thought the drapers' shops quite excellent."
+
+Fran's attention was held for an instant, but after all it seemed
+only reasonable that draperies should be purchased at a draper's.
+
+"Isn't the beach lovely?" she confided. "It would be fun to walk
+back."
+
+"We might," said Edith. "Would Win care if we did? Or could he do
+it too?"
+
+"He couldn't walk so far," said Fran, "but he won't mind if we
+want to. Win is angelic about not stopping us from doing things he
+can't do himself."
+
+"Has he always had to be so careful?" asked Edith. She and Frances
+sat at a little distance from the boys. Roger was peering around
+into the cab of the tiny engine; Win watched the water as it broke
+on the beach.
+
+"Always," said Frances. "He was just a tiny baby when they knew
+something was wrong with his heart. It isn't painful and may never
+be any worse. Only he must take great care not to get over-tired.
+Ever so many doctors have seen him and they all say the same
+thing,--that if he is prudent and never does too much, he may
+outlive us all. Just now in London, he and Mother went to a
+specialist but all he told Win was that he must cultivate the art
+of being lazy. Mother says the worst was when he was too little to
+realize that he mustn't do things. Now, of course, he understands
+and takes care of himself. It's hard on Win but Mother says it's
+good for Roger and me. It does make Roger more thoughtful. He says
+anything he likes to Win and pretends to tease him, but if you
+notice, you'll see that he does every single thing Win wants and
+always looks to see if he's all right. It helps me too, for I'm
+ashamed to fuss over trifles when Win has so much to bear."
+
+The little tram was traveling at a moderate pace toward town,
+stopping at several tiny stations where more and more people
+entered.
+
+"I can't get used to hearing people talk French," said Frances.
+"It seems so odd when Jersey is a part of England."
+
+"The French spoken here isn't that of Paris," remarked her
+brother, rising from his seat. "It's Norman French."
+
+"I know I can't understand it easily," confessed Edith, "and
+Sister has always taken pains to teach me. I'm glad it isn't all
+my fault."
+
+The train came to a stand on the esplanade of St. Helier's. The
+four stopped to look over the sea-wall, to the beach far below,
+across to the long stone piers forming the artificial sea basin
+and up to Fort Regent overhanging the town like a war-cloud.
+
+"That fort looks stuck on the cliff like a swallow's nest,"
+commented Roger. "Look, there's a snow-white sea-gull!"
+
+"There's another with a black tail," exclaimed Edith. "Oh, aren't
+they beautiful!"
+
+"In the United States is a city that put up a monument to the sea-
+gulls," said Win. "Salt Lake City, ever so far inland. A fearful
+plague of grasshoppers ate everything green and turned the place
+into a desert. They came the second summer, but something else
+came too. Over the Rocky Mountains, away from the Pacific Ocean,
+flew a great flock of gulls and ate the grasshoppers. Their coming
+seemed so like a miracle that the city erected a beautiful
+monument to them."
+
+"Did they ever come again?" asked Edith, greatly impressed.
+
+"No," said Win. "Just that once."
+
+"Without doubt it was a miracle," said Edith so reverently that
+the three looked at her.
+
+Roger gave a little snort, started to say something, looked again
+at Edith's rapt face and changed his mind. "Boston ought to put up
+a monument, too," he remarked at length. "Miracles happen every
+summer in Boston. The city swelters with the mercury out of sight
+and then along steps the east wind. In ten minutes, everybody puts
+on coats and stops drinking ice-water. Some tidy miracle-worker,
+our east wind."
+
+"Especially in winter," said Win laughing. "I'm afraid a monument
+to the east wind wouldn't be popular along in January. Shall we
+come on? Let's go up this street. I've a map, but things look
+rather crooked, so we'd better keep together."
+
+The quartette started, Roger and Win leading the way. St. Helier's
+streets are indeed crooked, and paved with cobble stones of
+alarming size and sonorous qualities. Numerous men and boys
+tramped along in wooden sabots which made a most unearthly
+clatter. Even little girls wore them, though otherwise their dress
+was not unusual. Outside one shop hung many of the clumsy foot-
+gear, the price explaining their evident popularity.
+
+Signs over shops were as often French as English and sometimes
+both. At one corner, the party met a man ringing a bell and
+uttering a proclamation in French. At the next corner he stopped
+to announce it in English and the interested boys found that he
+was advertising a public auction. No one else seemed in the least
+attentive to his remarks.
+
+Fifteen minutes' loitering through narrow, ill-paved streets,
+crowded with hurrying people and a great number of dogs, brought
+the four to an open square of irregular shape with a gilded statue
+at one end. Its curious draperies caught Win's observant eye and
+he walked around it thoughtfully.
+
+"What a very queer costume!" he remarked as he completed his
+circuit. "What is it doing on a statue of an English king?"
+
+Win spoke aloud, not noticing that the others were beyond hearing,
+but his inquiry was answered by a gentleman who chanced to be
+passing.
+
+"It is a Roman statue," he volunteered, "rescued from a shipwreck.
+The thrifty Jerseymen considered it too good to be wasted, so they
+gilded it and placed it here in the Royal Square in honor of
+George the Second."
+
+Win smiled as he turned to the speaker, a tall, thin Englishman in
+riding dress. His bearing suggested a military training and a
+second glance showed an empty coat-sleeve.
+
+"This group of buildings may interest you," the speaker added.
+"They contain the Court House, Parliament rooms and a small public
+library."
+
+Touching his riding-crop to his hat in response to Win's thanks,
+he turned into a side street where a young man mounted on a
+handsome horse sat holding the bridle of another. With interest
+Win watched them ride away. Even from a distance, something about
+the younger man struck a chord of recollection in Win's usually
+reliable memory. He was almost certain that somewhere, at some
+time, they had met. Yet he could not think of any American
+acquaintance of that age who would be at all likely to be riding
+about the island of Jersey, his companion not only an Englishman,
+but obviously an ex-army officer.
+
+Still, the impression of familiarity was strong and Win was yet
+wondering about it as he slowly climbed the stairs leading to the
+public library.
+
+Protesting somewhat, the others followed to look at a rather
+uninviting room, appealing to them far less than to Win, already
+on the trail for local history. The attendant proved obliging and
+after supplying Win with several books brought out a shabby brown
+volume.
+
+"We have one of your writers on our shelves," he remarked with a
+smile, offering the book to Frances.
+
+"Poems of Oliver Wendell Holmes," she read aloud. "Haven't you any
+other American authors?" she demanded in amazement. "And how did
+you know I was an American?"
+
+The librarian shook his head. "I have often thought we should have
+more American books," he replied, "but they are so extremely dear
+as compared with those published on this side of the Atlantic that
+we have not afforded them. How did I know your nationality? By the
+way you speak."
+
+Frances looked disgusted. She said little more, but soon persuaded
+the reluctant Win to postpone his investigations and come down
+again into the Royal Square.
+
+"Now, Sis, what's the matter with you?" Win inquired on seeing her
+flushed face.
+
+"Oh, you didn't hear that man say he knew I was an American by the
+way I talked," sniffed Frances indignantly.
+
+"Anybody would think you didn't want to be one," commented Roger
+bluntly.
+
+"I wouldn't be anything else," retorted Frances, "only I don't
+care to have fun poked at the way I talk."
+
+Win's glance traveled from his sister's annoyed face to Edith's,
+which wore a look of perplexity.
+
+"We're polite," he remarked. "Here's Edith, who wouldn't be
+anything but English."
+
+"No," said Edith gravely. "One always feels that way about one's
+country. But I understand what Frances means. And I see why people
+know you are not English. It isn't so much your pronunciation, but
+you put words in odd places in the sentence and some of your
+expressions are most unusual," she ended apologetically. "I like
+them. It is interesting to hear things called by new names. Just
+now Fran said 'poke fun' when she meant 'criticise,' and Roger
+says a thing is 'fine and dandy' when I should call it 'top-hole.'
+That is the difference, is it not?"
+
+The others laughed and Edith's attempt to bridge a dangerous
+situation ended successfully. Presently their whereabouts absorbed
+their attention for Win had left the map behind him on the library
+table.
+
+For a time they wandered at random, following one narrow street
+after another, seeing interesting shop windows, but presently
+discovered that they did not know where they were.
+
+"The esplanade must lie at our left," said Win. "If we keep
+turning in that direction we shall surely strike it."
+
+"Look at that candy," exclaimed Roger, attaching himself to a
+confectioner's window. "Here's a chance to acquire some choice
+English. What is black-jack, Edith? Looks like liquorice. Bismarck
+marble, Gladstone rock, toffy,--what's toffy?"
+
+"It is sweets made of treacle instead of sugar," explained Edith,
+turning surprised eyes upon him.
+
+"Sweets! treacle!" exclaimed Roger after a petrified instant.
+"Bring me a fan! Give me air!"
+
+"Why," said Frances, a sudden light dawning on her. "Treacle! I
+never knew before what Alice in Wonderland meant by her treacle
+well. It's molasses, Edith. There are some chocolate peppermints!"
+
+Without stopping for further speech Frances dashed into the shop.
+Presently she emerged, carrying a white paper bag, or "sack" as
+Edith designated it, and with an odd expression of face.
+
+"Joke?" inquired Win. "What did you ask for?" he demanded,
+accepting a piece of candy.
+
+"I got what I wanted," said Fran evasively. "It's always possible
+to walk behind a counter and help yourself if you don't know the
+names of things."
+
+Later she drew Edith aside. "What do you call these?" she asked
+confidentially.
+
+"Peppermint chocolate drops," replied Edith. "What else could they
+be?"
+
+Turning constantly to the left did not bring them to the sea.
+Instead they walked a long distance only to find themselves in a
+poorer part of the town, with increasing crowds of children
+inclined to follow. Their appearance seemed a source of interest
+to older people as well and presently Win was induced to inquire
+his way to the boulevard.
+
+To his surprise the reply came in French, but between his own
+knowledge and that of Edith, they made out that they were
+traveling inland instead of toward the shore. This sounded
+impossible unless they had completely lost all sense of direction.
+
+But a second inquiry brought the same answer, so they followed the
+offered advice, coming at last to the bay of St. Aubin's more than
+a mile below St. Helier's, fortunately near one of the tram
+stopping-places. Edith was good for a walk home and Roger would
+have gone also if challenged, but both Win and Frances were tired
+so Edith did not propose to return by the beach. Indeed, the tide
+was now so high that they would have been forced to go part of the
+way by the road.
+
+"School for us to-morrow," said Frances dismally. "But I think we
+should plan to do something very interesting every holiday all
+winter."
+
+"We will take a tea-basket and lunch out of doors," replied Edith
+happily. "There are beautiful spots to visit in Jersey."
+
+Win looked up suddenly. "Fran," he asked, "did you notice those
+gentlemen who rode out of the square while we were looking at the
+statue? Had you ever seen the younger one before?"
+
+Fran shook her head. "I noticed only the one who spoke to you,"
+she replied. "I was looking at their horses."
+
+"All the same," mused Win thoughtfully, "I've seen that young
+fellow before and it must have been in the United States, for I
+know I should remember encountering him over here."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+THE BEACH DOG
+
+
+"You would certainly smile if you could see the school I am going
+to," Frances wrote to her chum, Marjorie Benton, "but when I think
+of you and the other girls back at the dear old Boston Latin, I
+feel more like crying.
+
+"First I must tell you about Edith Pearce, the girl in the house
+where we are staying. She has long flaxen hair which hangs over
+her shoulders in the most childish way, though she's our age. Her
+eyes are gray with dark lashes and when she looks at you they are
+like surprised stars. And she has the most beautiful complexion in
+the world, just pink and white. She is lovely to look at and I
+feel like a tanned, homely gipsy beside her. She's sweet too, but
+very easily shocked and I'm afraid she's not only good but pious.
+She can never take your place so don't worry, only, as I have to
+be here, I might as well have some fun with her.
+
+"I go to school with Edith and it is as unlike the Latin School as
+the North Pole and Boston Common. There are about thirty boarders,
+some of them little bits of things--Edith calls them 'tinies'--who
+have been sent home from India where their parents couldn't keep
+them any longer. About fifty day-scholars attend, from kindergarten
+age up.
+
+"I'm the only American and I can tell you I was well stared at. At
+first the girls couldn't believe it, insisted that I must be
+Scotch or at least Canadian, so now I wear a little United States
+flag pin all the time. Gracious, but things are different,
+especially clothes! Mine are the prettiest in school, if I do say
+it, and Edith thinks so too. She says my 'frocks' are 'chic.'
+
+"Most of the girls, even the big ones almost eighteen, wear their
+hair hanging and have _such_ dresses,--frocks, I mean. They fit
+like meal bags, and being combinations of many colors, look
+perfectly dreadful. And yet the girls are very nice, some of them
+from really important families.
+
+"To cap the climax, most of them sport ugly black mohair aprons
+which they call 'alpaca pinnies.' Marjorie, can you imagine what
+they look like? I told Mother if she wanted me to be English to
+the extent of wearing a pinafore, I should lie down and die and
+I'm thankful to say that she simply grinned. But many of the girls
+have wonderful yellow or red-gold hair and stunning peachy
+complexions, so they aren't such frights as you'd think.
+
+"Instead of going around from one class to another as in any
+sensible school, the girls stay in one room and teacher after
+teacher,--I mean mistress, comes to them. I get so everlastingly
+tired sitting still. Never before did I realize what a rest it was
+to walk from class to class and get a chat on the way. The only
+exceptions to this rule are preparation, when we sit at desks
+under the eye of a monitress, and gymnasium work.
+
+"Marjorie, when I first beheld that gymnasium teacher, I nearly
+fainted. Her molasses-colored hair was frizzed hard in front and
+pinned in a round bun at the back of her head. She had on tight-
+fitting knee trousers, not bloomers, believe me. Over these she
+wore a white sweater of a very fancy weave. Over this was a weird
+tunic of alpaca with two box-plaits in front and three in back.
+This fell an inch or so below her knees, and every time she bent
+over or stretched up, those queer tight trousers showed. Her shoes
+were ordinary ones with heels. The girls wear either their usual
+frocks or an arrangement like this. I can tell you my pretty brown
+gym suit was the event of the day when I appeared in it.
+
+"Everybody wears slippers at school, puts them on when she first
+comes and no wonder, because the English shoes are the worst-
+looking and clumsiest things ever invented by man. Edith's feet
+look twice as big in her boots as in slippers. You'd think by
+their appearance that English feet were a different shape from
+ours, but they are not; it is only the shoes. They make them so
+thick and stout that they last for years. Edith was plainly
+shocked when I told her I had a new pair every few months. She
+thinks mine suitable only for the house. Well, I will admit that
+English girls can out-walk me.
+
+"The other mistresses aren't so queer as the gym teacher but look
+more like other people except that they wear too much jewelry.
+Everybody wears a great deal and you know what we think at home of
+ladies who appear on the street with rings and chains and lockets.
+Edith and her sister Estelle don't dress so, but Mother says they
+are quite exceptional.
+
+"As for lessons, we have to study. They expect a lot of grammar
+and parsing, and dates in history and solid facts in geography and
+all that. Mother approves; she thinks the English system much less
+faddy than at home. We have Bible instruction in regular lessons.
+I'll admit that these English girls know more than I do about
+things in books, but they haven't any idea what's going on in the
+present world. They didn't know much about the Panama canal and
+the tolls. Win howled when I said I explained it to them and vowed
+he'd give a dollar to have heard me. And several didn't know who
+was president of the United States. Imagine that, when we're the
+most important republic in the world! I knew their old king.
+
+"We begin school at half-past eight and have prayers and a Bible
+exercise. Different classes follow until eleven when a gong rings
+and everybody rushes into the garden, a lovely place with box-
+edged beds and a sun dial and gravel walks. There are myrtles and
+geraniums, great big bushes of them, and japonicas and heavenly
+wall-flowers and _trees_ of lemon verbena and fuchsias up to the
+eaves. This is solid truth, and in November, too.
+
+"In the garden we find a table with jugs of milk,--notice my
+English, please--and biscuit, that is, crackers, and we gobble and
+faith, we have reason! Studying so hard makes one famished. Then
+recreation follows for half an hour and we play ball or tennis.
+Some of the girls are splendid players. School again until two,
+when we day-scholars leave.
+
+"Three afternoons a week, we have to go back for gym work and
+English composition, which is beastly. On Wednesday there is no
+school.
+
+"Do you want to know what I've learned in one week of school in
+Jersey?
+
+"Well, I can speak three sentences in French. I'll write you in
+French next time.
+
+"I know that Amos and Hosea and Isaiah were all prophets and said
+that Israel was a very bad place.
+
+"I know that Paleolithic man was probably the first inhabitant of
+Great Britain.
+
+"I know how few people like to join mission study classes.
+
+"And I know that I love you."
+
+Fran finished her letter, directed and sealed the envelope,
+affixed a stamp, sniffing slightly at the head of King George
+instead of George Washington, and ran down-stairs.
+
+"Do you know where Edith is?" she asked of Nurse.
+
+"She is out in front, Miss Frances," replied Nurse. "Are you going
+for a walk?"
+
+"Just to the beach. We'll be back for tea."
+
+Edith stood at the gate and the two ran down to the shore. The
+tide, half-way out, left bare a tremendous expanse of wet sand,
+iridescent under the sun's rays. The water showed wonderful shades
+of blue, green and turquoise, and in the edge of the retreating
+waves walked hundreds of gulls, searching for food.
+
+The girls started up the beach toward St. Helier's, chatting
+happily as they watched the water and the birds. Little sandpipers
+appeared and some huge gray cormorants.
+
+Presently a handsome collie ran up to them, dropped a stone before
+Frances and stood looking at her, his head cocked on one side, all
+but speaking.
+
+"You darling," said Frances, picking up the pebble. "Does he want
+to be played with? Well, he shall."
+
+She threw the stone down the beach and the collie shot after it at
+full speed, his beautiful tawny coat shining in the sunlight.
+
+"Twice before," said Edith, "when I've been on the sands, he has
+begged me to throw stones for him to chase. He's a thorough-bred.
+Such fine markings! He looks like one of the Westmoreland sheep
+dogs. You've heard of them, haven't you? They are so intelligent
+about taking care of sheep and they understand everything their
+masters want. We saw one once that separated and brought to his
+master three sheep out of a big flock and the man didn't say one
+word, only motioned to him. He wants you to throw it again."
+
+"I can't throw stones for you all night," said Fran at last. "You
+take a turn, Edith."
+
+Edith threw a pebble picked up at random. The collie raced for it
+and after a sniff, returned without it.
+
+"He wants his own stone and no other," laughed Frances. "See, he's
+hunting all about. There, he's found it!"
+
+For a good mile down the beach the collie accompanied them, till
+both were tired of play. Convinced that they would throw his stone
+no longer, the dog reluctantly left them. Looking back, they saw
+him accosting a young man, who promptly yielded to the mute
+coaxing.
+
+"I wonder whose dog he is," said Edith. "He didn't seem to belong
+to any one we passed. I fancy he's here on his own."
+
+"We really ought to go over to Castle Elizabeth soon," observed
+Frances. "Doesn't it look like a huge monster stranded out there
+in the harbor?"
+
+"Sister is afraid of the tides," replied Edith. "A soldier was
+drowned there the other day, trying to cross the causeway after
+the tide had turned. Look, Fran, I believe that must be his
+funeral up on the road now. It is a military one at any rate."
+
+Frances looked with interest. First marched a guard of soldiers,
+two by two, then a band with muffled drums, playing the Dead
+March. After the band came a gun-carriage drawn by four horses and
+bearing the coffin, over which was draped the English flag.
+Several barouches followed with officers in uniform, and then the
+rest of the regiment, walking very slowly, their guns reversed.
+
+As the procession approached, every man on the route uncovered and
+did not replace his hat until it had passed, a mark of respect
+which struck Frances forcibly. "They have better manners than we
+have," she acknowledged half to herself.
+
+Edith looked surprised. "Men always uncover on meeting a funeral,"
+she remarked. "This was a private, but if he had been an officer,
+his helmet and sword would be on the flag, and directly behind the
+gun-carriage, his orderly would lead his riderless horse. A
+military wedding is so pretty, Frances. I saw one once in Bath
+Abbey. The officers were all in full uniform and after the
+ceremony they formed in the aisle, two lines going way down out of
+the church and at a signal, drew their swords and crossed them
+with a clash above their heads and the bride and groom came down
+this path through the glittering swords. I was just a tiny then,
+but I decided I'd marry a soldier so I could have the arch of
+swords."
+
+"It must have been very pretty," Frances agreed. "Why, what are
+those? See, like immense horseshoes in the water."
+
+"The bathing pools," explained Edith. "They show only when the
+tide is very low. They keep back water for bathing."
+
+"And a good job, too, when you have a tide that goes out of
+sight," commented Frances approvingly, as she looked at the two
+huge masonry walls near St. Helier's, set in the expanse of wet
+sand. "Look at the boys sailing boats."
+
+"Sometimes there are real races with little model yachts," said
+Edith. "There's a club of the young officers and some of the
+townspeople and they have the prettiest little miniature boats
+with keels about a metre long, rigged exactly like real racing
+yachts. It's great sport to see them. But ought we not to go
+back?"
+
+The girls turned for they were already far from home. To their
+surprise they were presently greeted again by the collie who tore
+up to hail them rapturously.
+
+"Still chewing your stone?" Frances inquired. "Come along. I
+suppose we'll have to take you part way back."
+
+The collie flew for the pebble as though for the first time of the
+afternoon. Before they had gone more than a quarter of a mile, a
+pretty young lady came up.
+
+"I'm afraid my bad Tylo has been bothering you," she said
+apologetically. "He is forever coming on the sands and badgering
+people into playing with him."
+
+"Oh, we liked to play," said Frances, smiling. "I think he's a
+brick. What did you call him?"
+
+"Tylo," replied the young lady. "After the dog in the 'Blue Bird,'
+you know."
+
+Edith also smiled. Their new acquaintance was looking from one to
+another, a charming and rather mischievous expression lighting a
+sweet face.
+
+"You're a little sister compatriot," she said to Edith; "but I
+fancy this little lady comes from across the ocean."
+
+"Yes, I do," said Frances, "but how did you know?"
+
+The young lady laughed merrily. "Oh, I've knocked about a good
+bit. And I happen to have known one American boy very well.
+Indeed, we really grew up together in Italy and England. 'Brick'
+is rather an American word, isn't it? I've surely heard my friend
+use it. Americans seldom find their way to Jersey. Are you
+stopping long?"
+
+"Perhaps all winter," replied Frances.
+
+"There are many delightful excursions to make in the island," said
+the young lady. "Come along, Tylo. We must go home to tea. Oh,"
+she added to the girls, "when you go on picnics, don't forget to
+look for caves."
+
+With another smile and a charming little nod, she left them.
+
+"I wonder who she is," said Frances, frankly looking after her.
+The erect lithe figure was crowned by a finely poised head and a
+wealth of beautiful fair hair, prettily arranged. Something in her
+face suggested possibilities of good comradeship, and her dress,
+while simplicity itself, betrayed a French origin.
+
+"She looks nice enough and ladylike enough to be an American,"
+thought Frances approvingly and with a sudden stab of homesickness.
+
+"I wish she'd told us her name," she went on aloud, "and who the
+American boy was. Perhaps we might know him."
+
+"He can scarcely be a boy now if they grew up together," observed
+Edith. "Wasn't she sweet? I hope we'll see her again."
+
+"And what did she mean by caves?" Frances continued, pursuing her
+train of thought. "That sounded very interesting and mysterious."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+MONT ORGUEIL
+
+
+To find a tutor for the boys proved less easy than Mrs. Thayne
+anticipated. There seemed a dearth of available young men in
+Jersey and she had about decided to send Roger to the best school
+and let Win work as he chose by himself, when Mr. Angus heard of a
+young Scotchman, already acting as secretary to a gentleman in St.
+Helier's and who could give the boys his afternoons.
+
+Such an arrangement was not ideal, but Win took an instant liking
+to the tall raw-boned person, who announced himself in a
+delightful manner as "Weelyum Feesher."
+
+Roger promptly dubbed him Bill Fish and refused to speak of him by
+any other term, causing his mother to live in terror lest Mr.
+Fisher should in some way learn of the disrespectful abbreviation.
+Roger was not at all enthusiastic about Bill Fish but liked still
+less the two schools he visited. To accept the tutor seemed the
+lesser of two evils.
+
+The chief drawback proved that the boys were occupied at just the
+time when the girls were free, with the exception of Wednesday, a
+holiday for all.
+
+The result was that Edith and Frances were thrown much together.
+Frances found it fortunate that she had a companion of her own
+age, for the island ladies soon called upon Mrs. Thayne and drew
+her into numerous social engagements. The little community had a
+strong army and navy tinge and naturally welcomed Mrs. Thayne. She
+would have taken far less part in the various festivities had she
+been leaving her daughter alone, but the two girls proved so
+congenial and Mrs. Thayne was so well satisfied with Edith as a
+companion for Frances that she felt free to indulge her own social
+instincts and enjoy the pleasant circle so invitingly opened.
+
+Whenever they went out, the girls kept a close watch for the "collie
+lady" and the "beach dog." Twice Tylo came to hail them on the
+sands, once apparently entirely alone. The other time he merely
+greeted them and bounded away to rejoin two riders on the road.
+One was his lady, her companion a slender young man of distinctly
+foreign aspect, dark and distinguished-looking. Their horses were
+walking slowly, the riders engaged in deep conversation and the
+beach dog's mistress did not see the eager faces of the girls.
+
+They talked a good deal about her, wondering who she was, where
+she lived and whether they would ever know her. After seeing her
+on horseback, they fell more and more under the spell of her charm
+and began to picture her the heroine of all sorts of stories.
+
+Day-dreams and romantic stories however, had but a small place in
+a world so busily filled with lessons of various kinds. One
+Tuesday evening, Frances was openly groaning over the need of
+writing an essay upon Julius Caesar.
+
+"Wouldn't you like him better if you saw something he did?"
+inquired Win, hearing her lamentations. "There's a castle in
+Jersey, part of which he built."
+
+Fran's eyes opened incredulously and Roger whistled. "Is that one
+of Bill Fish's yarns?" he demanded.
+
+"Ante-dates him," replied Win. "It's Mont Orgueil, over the other
+side of the island. Let's have a picnic there to-morrow, take our
+lunch and stay all day. Mother, you must come. Don't say you've
+promised to make calls."
+
+"I can go perfectly well," said Mrs. Thayne. "Only there is
+Roger's appointment with the dentist in the afternoon. He'll have
+to keep that, but there will be plenty of time for the picnic if
+we start early."
+
+"Think of having an outdoor picnic in December," exclaimed
+Frances. "We'll take Edith, of course."
+
+"Of course," assented her mother. "And Estelle, if she will go. I
+wish she would. She shuts herself up so closely and seems to
+shrink from seeing people, but perhaps she will go to Orgueil just
+with us."
+
+Even Edith could not persuade her sister to join the party though
+Estelle was touched by their regret, evidently genuine.
+
+"If you only would, Star," begged Edith. "You would enjoy it. You
+don't know how funny and nice they are to go with."
+
+"I couldn't, little sister," said Estelle gently. "You go and tell
+me about it afterwards."
+
+Edith was not satisfied but all persuasion proved useless. She had
+a vague idea that Star was worried. Just why, Edith did not see,
+since the plan of letting lodgings had come out so pleasantly.
+Everything was going smoothly at present; why should Star borrow
+trouble from the future?
+
+Mont Orgueil is reached by a miniature railway leading from St.
+Helier's to the fishing village of Gorey. By this time the young
+people were all well accustomed to the absurd little narrow gauge
+tramways with their leisurely trains. But if the train into St.
+Helier's crawled, the one to Gorey snailed, to quote Roger. Time
+was ample to note the pretty stuccoed houses, pink, cream or
+brown, with gardens and climbing vines that even in December made
+them spots of beauty. They passed under the frowning cliffs of
+Fort Regent and saw several lovely turquoise-blue bays with
+shining sandy beaches. Farther on farms succeeded the villas,
+stone farmhouses with tiled or thatched roofs, some with orange or
+other fruit trees trained against their southern walls. Suddenly
+Frances rose to her feet.
+
+"What on earth are those?" she demanded. "Just look at those
+cabbages on top of canes."
+
+The others looked and saw something answering exactly to Fran's
+graphic description.
+
+"Oh, yes" said Mrs. Thayne, "those are the cow cabbages of Jersey.
+They are common in the interior of the island. It's a peculiar
+kind of cabbage growing five or six feet high. The farmers pick
+the leaves on the stalk and leave just the head on top. These
+stalks are made into the canes we have seen in shops."
+
+"I saw them," said Win, "but I didn't realize what they were.
+Look, there's a Jersey cow among the cabbages."
+
+"The Jersey cattle are so pretty," said Frances admiringly.
+
+"They are very valuable," said Edith. "The farmers coddle them
+like children."
+
+Gorey proved a picturesque village with many schooners and boats
+of different kinds drawn up on the beach and in every direction
+fish nets drying. Above and behind towered the ruined castle of
+Orgueil, rising more than three hundred feet sheer from the sea.
+
+Mrs. Thayne sent Roger to find and engage a donkey which Win
+mounted without protest, after one glance at the climb before him,
+though he insisted on swinging the boxes of luncheon before him on
+the little animal's neck. Its owner was dismissed, Roger agreeing
+to pull the beast up the hill.
+
+Mont Orgueil forms the crest of a lofty conical rock and looks
+down like a grim giant upon the blue waters that stretch away to
+the coast of France. Tier after tier the fortifications mount the
+cone, crowned at the apex by a flagstaff.
+
+At the castle entrance, gained after a steady climb, a small boy
+appeared, sent by the castle keeper to act as guide. He tied the
+donkey to an iron post and led the way into the interior.
+
+"This is the oldest part," he began shyly. "They do say this tower
+was built by Julius Caesar."
+
+"Gracious, that's some story!" whistled Roger, looking with all
+his might.
+
+"I believe it is true," said Mrs. Thayne. "Win, you were reading
+about the castle before we started."
+
+"Yes," said Win. "That's straight about Caesar. That's why I
+wanted Fran to see it. And most of the place was built a thousand
+years ago. Is it ever used now!"
+
+[Illustration: ABOVE AND BEHIND TOWERED THE RUINED CASTLE OF
+ORGUEIL]
+
+"In summer the signal service is quartered here," replied the boy.
+"This is the well, ninety feet deep."
+
+As he spoke, he dropped a pebble over a low parapet. Some seconds
+later came a hollow splash.
+
+The guide showed them a cell where condemned prisoners were once
+kept, a ruined chapel with a very old crypt, and above the chapel
+a room reached by winding stairs. The girls entered with a
+simultaneous shriek of delight.
+
+"What a love of a room!" said Edith.
+
+"Mother, isn't this too sweet for words?" demanded Frances.
+
+"This is the Cupola room," explained their guide. "Charles the
+Second stopped here during his exile from England."
+
+"Prince Charles!" exclaimed Win, his imagination fired at once.
+"Oh, I read that in the guide book, but this--his room--"
+
+Win's voice trailed into silence. To read a fact in a book was
+different from standing under the very roof that had once
+sheltered bonnie Prince Charlie. He looked about him, trying to
+picture to himself those far past days.
+
+The ceiling rose in a huge dome and one immense window framed a
+wonderful view. From a little sally-port leading to a platform one
+could look sheer down to the rocks or across fourteen miles of
+tossing water to beautiful France. By using a little imagination
+the girls agreed that they could detect the spire of the cathedral
+of Coutances easily visible in clear weather.
+
+"In the French revolution the governor of Jersey signalled to the
+army of the Vendée by means of a flagpole held in place by
+chains," said Mrs. Thayne.
+
+"Yes," said their small guide. "The chains are still on the wall
+but the pole is new. The naval men use it in summer."
+
+"Do they sleep here?" asked Win.
+
+"Down in the chapel, sir."
+
+"I'd stay here," said Win. "Say, how much would you rent this room
+for?"
+
+"Three and six a week, sir, with the platform thrown in," replied
+their small guide so gravely that they all looked to see whether
+he was really in earnest.
+
+"That's cheap enough, considering the view," said Mrs. Thayne,
+smiling.
+
+Fascinated by the picturesque old castle, Win wandered off by
+himself, deciphering the inscriptions placed on the many doors.
+There is no guard in the guard-room, no stores are kept in the
+storeroom, and the chapel never hears a sermon save those preached
+by its own stones to those who have ears to hear. But the sunlight
+falling on the green platforms, the pigeons cooing on the walls,
+the blue sea stretching to the shining cliffs of France, the
+glamour of old-world romance struck impressionable Win. Dreamily
+he recalled that whether Caesar built the tower or not, no
+reasonable doubt exists that Orgueil was occupied if not built by
+the mighty Prince Rollo, grandfather of William the Conqueror.
+Over the main entrance to the castle-keep his coat of arms
+survives the centuries. For centuries to come, Orgueil will remain
+gathering more legendary charm as the slow years pass.
+
+Win shook off the feeling of awe gently creeping over him and
+joined the others, investigating a tiny cell where Prynne the
+Puritan leader was confined for three years. Roger was immensely
+impressed by the ruins of a secret staircase, connecting a dungeon
+where the criminals were executed, with the keep and sally-port.
+
+"There's a many secret stairs in the old Jersey houses,"
+volunteered their guide, noticing his interest.
+
+"Where can we see them?" demanded Roger at once, but this their
+small informer could not tell.
+
+"Gentry lives in those houses," he volunteered. "They'se not open
+to trippers."
+
+"To what?" demanded Roger.
+
+"Visitors, strangers like," explained the boy.
+
+"I like that," said Roger, flushing indignantly.
+
+"Hush, Roger," interposed his mother. "No offense was meant. What
+are these chains? They seem very old."
+
+"They were used long time ago to hang criminals. They do say they
+put 'em there alive and left 'em to the corbies."
+
+"Corbies? Oh, crows," interpreted Win. "Nice custom! Mother, look
+at the heaps of rocks exposed by the tide."
+
+"There's more this side," said their guide, turning a corner of
+the rampart with Roger close at his heels. The rest were about to
+follow when suddenly Mrs. Thayne gave an exclamation.
+
+"Listen!" she said. "That must be a skylark."
+
+From somewhere in the blue above fell a rain of happy music, so
+liquid and so sweet that it scarcely seemed to come from any
+earthly bird.
+
+"Where is it?" asked Frances excitedly, peering into the air and
+dropping on her knees the better to look up. Mrs. Thayne did the
+same and both stared into the sky, trying to detect the tiny spot
+of feathered joy, the source of all this melody. Presently Edith
+and Win joined them.
+
+Back around the corner came Roger and the guide, both stopping
+short at sight of the rest of the party down on their knees on the
+daisy-starred turf.
+
+"Whatever are they doing?" ejaculated the boy.
+
+"Oh, it's a skylark!" exclaimed Frances enthusiastically. "Come
+and see."
+
+Mouth open in amazement, their small guide stood rooted to the
+spot. "A skylark!" he muttered, staring at the four in their
+attitude of devotion. "Lookin' at a skylark!" he repeated as
+though unable to credit the testimony of his own eyes.
+
+Win burst out laughing and rose to his feet. "Take this," he said,
+producing a shilling. "Thank you for showing us about. We'll stay
+a while longer and eat lunch here."
+
+The boy pocketed the coin and withdrew, his face still a picture
+of incredulous astonishment over the actions of this singular and
+apparently insane group of excursionists. At last sight, he was
+still slowly shaking his head and murmuring, "Lookin' at a
+skylark!"
+
+[Illustration: "LOOK, THERE IS A JERSEY COW AMONG THE CABBAGES."]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+A RACE WITH THE TIDE
+
+
+After luncheon, time passed too quickly. Before it seemed
+possible, Mrs. Thayne declared the hour had come for Roger to keep
+his appointment with the dentist in St. Helier's.
+
+"Let him go alone, Mother," said Win. "He's no kid. We want you to
+stay with us."
+
+"Of course he could go alone," agreed Mrs. Thayne, "but I ought to
+consult the dentist myself and do an errand or two. There's no
+reason why you and the girls should cut short your stay. This is a
+lovely place to spend the afternoon and the day too perfect to
+hurry home. Just be back for dinner."
+
+"Let Roger return the donkey," suggested Win. "I sha'n't need him
+going down hill and very likely we shall strike across beyond the
+village."
+
+Mrs. Thayne departed, Roger clattering ahead on the donkey, and
+the three were left in the meadow by the castle entrance, a meadow
+starred with most fascinating pink-tipped English daisies.
+
+"Just see the dears and then think that it's really winter,"
+sighed Frances. "I can't believe that at home everybody is wearing
+furs and the ground is frozen. It doesn't seem possible that
+Christmas is so near."
+
+Win was lying flat on the close-cropped turf, his attitude
+indicating that he contemplated a nap. After a glance at his
+prostrate figure, the girls wandered to a little distance, seeking
+the pinkest daisies. Presently they were surprised by the sudden
+arrival of a beautiful collie, who poked a cold nose into Edith's
+face.
+
+"O-oh!" she exclaimed. "Go to Frances. She's the one who likes
+dogs. I prefer nice soft little pussy-cats."
+
+"It's the beach dog," said Frances. "Do you suppose his lady is
+with him?"
+
+Edith looked eagerly about. The elevated castle meadow commanded a
+rather extended view but in no direction was any one visible.
+
+"I don't see her anywhere. Come here, Tylo. Oh, Fran, let's read
+the plate on his collar. Perhaps it will have her name."
+
+Hot and panting from a run, Tylo willingly lay down by the girls
+and made not the least objection to having his collar examined.
+The unusually long plate bore considerable lettering.
+
+"Laurel Manor, St. Brelade's," read Frances in excitement. "Here's
+some French, Edith."
+
+"It's Italian, Fran. 'Palazzo Grassi, Via Ludovisi, Roma.' Just
+two addresses and no name!" Edith ended in disappointment.
+
+"Oh, but wait!" exclaimed Frances. The light struck the plate at
+such an angle as to make visible to her some additional lettering,
+not engraved but apparently scratched with a knife. Though small,
+the words were extremely neat and legible and the girls deciphered
+them eagerly.
+
+"Connie--her dog.
+
+"Max--his mark."
+
+"Her name must be Connie!" Edith declared, turning excited eyes
+upon her companion. "Speak, Tylo! Is your mistress called
+Constance?"
+
+Tylo vouchsafed no answer, only pricked his ears, hearing
+something inaudible to the girls. The next instant came a distinct
+though faint whistle.
+
+The beach dog departed at once, tearing down over the meadow in a
+graceful curve to leap a hedge into a shady lane beyond.
+
+"Well, we've learned a little," sighed Frances. "His mistress is
+called Connie and she lives at Laurel Manor. The rest ought to be
+easy. Let's go down to the shore. I want to explore that point of
+rocks."
+
+"But Win's asleep," said Edith hesitatingly. "Ought we to leave
+him?"
+
+"It's all right," said Frances. "He couldn't scramble on the rocks
+and it's splendid for him to sleep in this fine air. I'll leave a
+note telling him where to look for us."
+
+Edith supplied a blunt pencil and Fran wrote her message on a bit
+of paper torn from the luncheon box, pinning it carefully to her
+brother's coat where he could not fail to see it. Then they ran
+down to the cove beyond Orgueil.
+
+The water, far on the horizon, showed only as a gleaming line of
+light, leaving bare heaps and piles of rocks, inextricably turned
+on end in some prehistoric upheaval. In places the rocks were
+continuous, in others separated by spaces of wet sand.
+
+Over the rocks grew masses of vari-colored seaweed, brown, yellow,
+blue-green, even pink. Footing proved both slippery and
+treacherous, but offered the fascination of exploring an unknown
+region. As they walked farther out, curious shell-fish were
+clinging to the stone.
+
+"These are ormers and limpets," said Edith. "I saw them the day
+Nurse and I went to market. What a huge winkle!"
+
+Fran stared at this new specimen. "Is that a winkle?" she demanded
+in disgust. "I call it a plain snail. Why, all my life, I've read
+about winkles and thought I'd like to eat some but I'd die before
+I'd eat a snail. Oh! Oh! Oh!"
+
+Edith turned so quickly that she almost fell on the slippery weed.
+Frances was fairly dancing with excitement, wholly however of
+pleasure.
+
+In the hollowed rock lay a pool of clear sea water, at first sight
+filled with bright-hued flowers, pink, purple, orange. The next
+glance showed them to be living organisms.
+
+"Sea-anemones!" breathed Edith softly. "I never saw anything so
+beautiful."
+
+The anemones were pulpy brown bodies varying in size from a pea to
+a tomato. From their anchorage on the rock they stretched waving
+tentacles of soft iridescent hues, transforming the little pool
+into a marine fairyland. Between the anemones a bright yellow
+lichen-like growth almost covered the warm red granite, and tiny
+yellow, rose, and black and white striped snails were set like
+jewels on this background. Two or three sharp limpet shells waved
+feathery seaweed fans.
+
+A long time passed and the girls still lingered. They discovered
+that most of the pools boasted anemones, some not unlike an
+ordinary land daisy with light-colored tentacles stretching ray-
+shaped from a yellow centre. When touched with an empty shell, the
+anemone would close over it, folding both the shell and itself
+into a tight brown ball, then open slowly and drop the shell. The
+only food the girls had with them was some sweet chocolate, so
+they experimented with this, watching the lovely living sea-
+flowers seize upon fragments held within reach of their feelers.
+
+"I suppose it will give them frightful pains," remarked Frances at
+last, rising from her cramped position. "Goodness! the tide is
+coming!"
+
+"Yes, but it's far out," replied Edith, casting a glance at the
+line of water, still distant a full half-mile. "Look, Frances,
+here's a tiny pink crab."
+
+For a moment Frances again bent over the aquarium but soon started
+to her feet.
+
+"Let's go back, Edith. We're a long way from shore and you know
+how very fast the tide comes in."
+
+"Oh, is that crab gone? I thought you would mind where he went,"
+said Edith as she reluctantly rose. "I wanted to take him to Win."
+
+The two began to retrace their way, at first over piles of red
+rock covered with seaweed, farther on over stretches of sand
+surrounding rock islands.
+
+Just as they left the last of the solid rock a big wave came
+curling lazily along its side. For a second the water clung to it
+like fingers, then withdrew.
+
+"Fran, we must run," said Edith quietly, but her face had grown
+pale.
+
+Frances made no reply. Both ran as fast as they could across the
+stretch of level hard sand. Before they reached the first rock
+island, long fingers of foam again darted past at one side.
+
+Neither girl spoke. Automatically they seized hands and redoubled
+their efforts. One island after another was left behind, then
+Edith, looking over her shoulder, saw that the tide was gaining.
+Its next incoming heave would overtake them.
+
+"We'll have to climb these rocks!" she gasped.
+
+"_No!_" said Fran, giving her hand a tug. "Keep on. No matter if
+we do get wet. We _must_ get nearer in. These rocks will be
+covered."
+
+Edith kept pace. They seemed to have reached a higher ridge of the
+beach since presently the water, instead of pursuing directly,
+passed on either side, stretching shorewards.
+
+Too terrified to consider what this would mean when the tongues of
+water should meet before them, the girls pressed on blindly.
+
+Suddenly there came a shout from shore, now measurably nearer.
+Down the beach sped a galloping horse, his rider waving to attract
+their attention.
+
+Fran's quick wits grasped the situation. "He'll come for us!" she
+exclaimed. "He means us to climb this rock and wait."
+
+This seemed what the rider meant for as they scrambled up the
+ledge, he ceased to call and merely urged his horse to greater
+effort. Edith reached the top without accident, but Frances
+slipped and soaked both feet.
+
+The horse, a beautiful chestnut thoroughbred with tossing mane,
+came at quick speed. In the distance, his rider looked a mere boy,
+but as he approached, the girls saw that he was a young man of
+twenty-three or four, with a fine, clean-cut face, who sat his
+horse as though a part of it.
+
+Arriving by their rock, the chestnut checked himself in full
+gallop and turned almost in his stride.
+
+"Give me your hand," said the young man to Edith. "Step on my
+foot. Swing round behind me and hold on any way you can."
+
+Edith instantly obeyed. "Here," he added to Frances, "scramble up
+in front. Quick! There's no time to lose. Steady on, Saracen!" he
+added as the horse jumped and snorted at touch of the water
+curling about his heels.
+
+They were perhaps a quarter-mile from shore and the return was
+made at a fast pace, yet as they came up above tide mark, the
+waves were lapping the shingle and only a rock here and there
+remained uncovered.
+
+During the hurried trip the young man had spoken only to his
+horse, words of encouragement uttered in a pleasant voice, and
+both girls were still too stunned by the sudden peril and their
+equally sudden rescue to realize their very unconventional
+situation; Edith with both arms around the stranger, her cheek
+pressed into his shoulder; Fran sitting on the saddle-bow, held in
+position by his left arm while his right hand clasped the reins.
+
+Once in safety, Saracen stopped of his own accord, looking around
+as though, now the hurry was over, he would like to know what sort
+of unaccustomed load he had been carrying.
+
+"Right we are!" said the young man cheerily. "Now I wonder if you
+can slide down."
+
+Still speechless, Frances did so. The young man swung himself from
+the saddle and turned to lift Edith from her perch as though she
+was a little child. Again on firm ground, she began to utter
+incoherent thanks.
+
+[Illustration: "HE'LL COME FOR US! HE MEANS US TO CLIMB THIS ROCK
+AND WAIT"]
+
+"I think you must be strangers to the island," he said rather
+gravely, "else you would know that the Jersey tides come in as
+rapidly as they ebb. This isn't a safe coast to experiment with."
+
+"It was the anemones," began Frances. "We never saw any before and
+forgot to watch the water."
+
+The young man smiled. "Those anemones!" he said. "I was once in a
+similar fix for the same reason. Better remember that the only
+safe time to watch sea anemones is when the tide is just going
+out. There's a place up here where the farmer's wife is a friend
+of mine. I think you'd better let me take you over to Mother Trott
+and she'll dry you out."
+
+"I'm not wet," said Edith. "Frances fell, that's why she's
+drippy."
+
+"Oh, but Win!" Frances exclaimed. "He'll find that note saying
+we're on the rocks and he'll see the water and be frightened. My
+brother," she added to the stranger, who was looking at her
+inquiringly. "He's in the meadow."
+
+The young man's clear gray eyes grew rather stern. "And what is
+this brother doing while his little sister gets into danger?" he
+asked.
+
+"Oh, it's not his fault. He was asleep and he _mustn't_ be
+frightened," Fran began. She spoke rapidly, her explanation
+banishing from the inquirer's face all look of disapproval.
+
+"I'll go and tell Win," said Edith. "I'm not a bit wet. You go on
+to the farm, Frances. Which house is it?"
+
+"Do you see the long low one with the vines about half a mile up
+the hill?" replied their rescuer. "That's it."
+
+"If Win's still asleep, for goodness' sake don't wake him,"
+directed Frances as Edith set off toward the castle. "Perhaps I
+can get dry and be there before he need know what has happened."
+
+"Would you be willing to ride in front of me again, Miss Frances?"
+asked the young man, as Edith vanished around the wall. "We could
+reach the farm much more quickly."
+
+Without demur, Frances consented. She felt queerly shaken and ill
+and to her consternation, as Saracen crossed the highroad and
+entered the farm lane, a sudden burst of sobs overcame her. She
+struggled bravely to control herself.
+
+"That was a beastly experience," said the pleasant voice, "but you
+were so near shore when Saracen and I saw you, that you'd probably
+have made it with merely a wetting."
+
+"We haven't really thanked you," said Frances incoherently. "I do
+--so much--Mother--"
+
+"Thank Saracen. He did it. It's nothing at all, and you mustn't
+let it trouble you. Hello, Tylo. Been off again on your own?"
+
+Obedient to touch, his horse stopped at the cottage gate. Frances
+slid from her perch and the young man dismounted, throwing the
+reins to the beach dog, whose sudden reappearance did not surprise
+nor interest Frances, as ordinarily it would have done.
+
+"Come round to the back," said her companion, opening the gate.
+"Mother Trott will probably be in her kitchen. She'll put you to
+rights in no time. No mess too bad for her to take on."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+MR. MAX
+
+
+Frances accompanied her guide along a pebbled path neatly edged
+with big scallop-shells measuring fully six inches across. Beside
+the walk stretched garden borders still gay with geraniums,
+japonicas and other hardy plants in full bloom. As they passed the
+front door of the cottage with its whitewashed steps gleaming in
+the afternoon sun, a roughly outlined heart surrounding some
+initials caught Frances' attention. The design was carved in the
+stone top of the door-frame and looked very old.
+
+"That's a pretty custom of the island," said her companion,
+noticing Fran's glance. "The people who first made a home had
+their initials cut over the door. Many of the Jersey farmhouses
+have several sets of initials on the door-stones."
+
+Around the corner of the house lay a neat kitchen garden full of
+vegetables in thrifty green rows, a patch of the curious cabbages
+and in a field just over a fence, was tethered a pretty, soft-eyed
+Jersey cow. Beside the entrance stood a bench glittering with
+shiny copper pails and milk-cans.
+
+Without stopping to knock, the young man stepped directly into a
+clean, low-ceiled kitchen, where white sand was scattered on the
+stone floor.
+
+"Are you there, Mrs. Trott?" he inquired.
+
+Hastily setting down the pan of potatoes she was peeling, a
+pleasant-looking stout woman rose to her feet with a curtsy.
+
+"If it isn't Mr. Max!" she exclaimed, her voice expressing both
+surprise and delight.
+
+"And as usual seeking help, Mrs. Trott. This young lady, Miss
+Frances, has been unlucky enough to be overtaken by the tides--"
+
+"Poor dear!" interrupted Mrs. Trott. "Bess!" she called, "come you
+down. Ah, 'tis the tides that make the Jersey heartaches. Ye did
+quite right to bring her, Mr. Max. Bess, be quick!"
+
+A rosy-cheeked girl of seventeen came clattering down the tiny
+stair, to smile at the visitors and drop an awkward, blushing
+curtsy to each.
+
+"Why, Bess, you're quite grown up," said the young man, smiling
+back at her.
+
+"A year does make a differ, sir," said Mrs. Trott. "Lead the young
+leddy up the stair, Bess, and dry her feet and give her your
+Sunday socks and shoon. Mr. Max, you'll drink tea? Sure, now, and
+taste my fresh wonders. The young leddy'll be down directly and a
+cup of tea will set her up."
+
+"Indeed, I could do with some tea, Mrs. Trott, and I've not had
+any wonders since--"
+
+Frances did not hear the end of the sentence for she was following
+Bess up the narrow, winding stone stairs to emerge in a little
+room with slanting caves and dormer windows in its thatched roof.
+The place was bare but spotlessly clean and through the open
+western casement shimmered the blue sea.
+
+"Sit down, Miss," said Bess in a soft voice with curious musical
+intonations that made up for imperfect pronunciation.
+
+With a sigh of relief, Frances sank into the straight chair. The
+reaction from her late adventure was still upon her. Before she
+knew what was happening, Bess approached with a basin of water and
+a towel, and knelt to unfasten the soaked shoes.
+
+"Oh, I can do that for myself," Frances protested with the
+independence of an American girl.
+
+"Sit ye still, Miss," said Bess pleasantly. "'Tis bad for the
+nerves to race the tides. It shakes one a good bit."
+
+Her deft fingers made short work of their task. Presently, Frances
+was comfortable in white cotton stockings and black slippers far
+too large and wide.
+
+"Twill serve," said Bess, smiling at the way they slid around on
+Fran's slender feet. "Dry at least. Now come ye down and drink
+your tea. 'Tis not lately we've seen Mr. Max. Mother'll be rarely
+pleased."
+
+Frances had it on her tongue's end to inquire into the identity of
+her rescuer, but the difficulty of keeping on those heavy leather
+shoes with their big silver buckles distracted her attention. She
+came carefully down the stair to find Mr. Max seated on the big
+black oak settle, his hat and riding-crop beside him and Mrs.
+Trott arranging her table before the fire.
+
+"Come, Miss, to your tea," she exclaimed. "Bess, fetch the cream."
+
+Frances tried to protest, feeling already under great obligations
+to these total strangers, but Mr. Max promptly rose to give her a
+seat.
+
+"Tea will do you good, Miss Frances," he said with a most engaging
+smile. "Try Mrs. Trott's wonders. Have you ever eaten a Jersey
+wonder?"
+
+"It looks like a doughnut," said Frances, taking a fried cake from
+the proffered plate.
+
+A sudden, mischievous grin crossed the young man's face. "A plain
+New England doughnut disguised by an old-world name," he said.
+
+"New England!" repeated Frances, stopping with the cake halfway to
+her mouth. "How do you know about New England doughnuts?"
+
+Mr. Max seated himself, looking boyishly amused.
+
+  "'Land where our fathers died,
+    Land of the Pilgrims' pride,'"
+
+he quoted, seriously enough but with gray eyes dancing with fun.
+"Oh, I know the whole thing. Shall we sing it together?"
+
+"Are you really an American?" Frances demanded in utter amazement.
+"Then how--what--You don't talk--But that accounts for it."
+
+She stopped, feeling suddenly shy of questioning him. "Well," she
+added after a second, "that's the reason I didn't feel a bit
+strange about coming with you. It seemed all right--just as though
+you were somebody I knew."
+
+"Thank you, Miss Frances," said her companion. "That is a very
+lovely way to express your appreciation. Yes, we are fellow-
+countrymen, though I have spent much of my life in Europe. In
+fact, my first visit to the United States was when I was around
+your age. Since then I've put in four years at Yale and one in
+Washington. Now, I'm attached to the American Embassy in Paris and
+came over here to spend the Christmas holidays with old friends.
+Jersey has seen me many times before this. That's how I happen to
+know about the sea anemones and the tides."
+
+Mrs. Trott came bustling back with jam, followed by Bess with a
+covered jar. "And how's Miss Connie?" she inquired.
+
+"She seems very well," replied Mr. Max. "Your tea is as good as
+ever, Mrs. Trott. Clotted cream, Bess? You know my weak spots,
+don't you?"
+
+"They do be saying that the Colonel fails since his lady died,"
+went on Mrs. Trott, regarding her table anxiously. "Couldn't you
+fancy an egg now, Mr. Max, or a bit of bacon?" as he raised a
+protesting hand.
+
+Frances also declined. She did not feel hungry but after Mrs.
+Trott had brought water to dilute the strong tea, she drank it
+willingly.
+
+Neither did Mr. Max eat enough to satisfy his hostess. After a few
+moments he rose and looked at his watch.
+
+"I think I'll ride over to the Manor and exchange Saracen for
+another horse and the trap and give myself the pleasure if I may,
+Miss Frances, of driving you and the others back to St. Aubin's.
+Your boots will hardly be dry for you to wear on the train. I'd
+really like to do so," he added, seeing that Frances looked
+disturbed. "You know it is the business of the American Embassy to
+look after its fellow countrymen in a foreign land, so this is
+only my plain duty."
+
+"Best let him, Miss," said Mrs. Trott approvingly. "Mr. Max do
+always take thought for others. But where happens Miss Connie to-
+day?"
+
+"Oh, Miss Connie's gone to a tea-fight of some kind," replied Mr.
+Max, giving Frances another mischievous glance. "She said I
+couldn't go, so I annexed her dog and her father's horse and went
+out on my own. I shall be back before long."
+
+Frances gave an anxious thought to Edith, concluded that she
+probably found Win asleep and was following instructions not to
+wake him. This conjecture proved correct for Edith soon came
+hurrying down the path.
+
+"I took the first note and left one saying we were at this
+cottage," she explained. "Are you all right, Fran? Do you think
+you've caught a chill?"
+
+Frances explained that they were to be driven home and Mrs. Trott
+pressed tea and wonders upon Edith, who accepted both gratefully.
+
+"Is it far to the Manor--to where Mr. Max is going?" Frances
+inquired of Mrs. Trott.
+
+"Not for a good horse, Miss, though 'tis beyond St. Aubin's. I'm
+thinking you must have marked the place, a big old stone house
+with many a laurel tree about it and open to the cliffs beyond."
+
+"Oh, we know it," said Fran eagerly. "There are iron gates with a
+coat of arms and the grounds are lovely."
+
+"That's Laurel Manor, Miss," assented Mrs. Trott.
+
+The girls looked at each other in delight. In one afternoon they
+had learned where lived the mistress of the beach dog and what her
+name.
+
+"'Tis good to lay eyes on Mr. Max again," Mrs. Trott went on. "A
+pity he and Miss Connie couldn't content themselves with each
+other. 'Tis not to our liking to have our young leddy takin' up
+with a foreign prince."
+
+"Oh, please tell us about it," demanded Frances. "We met Miss
+Connie on the beach and we think she's perfectly lovely. Is she
+really to marry a prince?"
+
+"He's not a prince of a royal house," replied Mrs. Trott. "He's an
+Eyetalian and in that country, they tell me, there's a different
+kind of royalty. I don't rightly know, Miss, but I'm thinking they
+are Romish princes."
+
+"Is Miss Connie marrying a Catholic?" inquired Edith in great
+interest.
+
+"That's the question," said Mrs. Trott, reflectively resting both
+hands on the table. "I could see Mr. Max didn't want to talk, but
+we hear considerable through the housekeeper at the Manor. This
+young man that they say Miss Connie's tokened to is the son of one
+of these princes. But his mother was an Englishwoman and a
+Protestant and so when two boys had been baptized as Catholics,
+the third son,--Miss Connie's young man,--was brought up in his
+mother's faith, our English church.
+
+"I suppose," Mrs. Trott went on meditatively, "they thought he'd
+never succeed to his father's title and position, bein' the third
+son. But the oldest, Prince Santo-Ponte, or some title like that,
+was killed in a motor mishap--they say he was racin' something
+shameful,--and soon the next brother died of pneumonia. So that
+leaves the Protestant son the heir. And the story is that he's to
+be made to turn Catholic."
+
+"But they can't make him if he won't," protested the shocked
+Edith. Both she and Frances were listening eagerly to this
+romantic story. Their wildest flights of imagination concerning
+Miss Connie fell short of the truth,--if this was truth.
+
+"I don't know, Miss, I don't know," said Mrs. Trott doubtfully.
+"Turn the young leddy's boots, Bess,--don't ye scent the smell o'
+scorchin'? 'Tis hard on the poor fellow. There's his father urgin'
+him to do it for the sake of the family, and there's a title and a
+great fortune waitin' when he does. They'll be tellin' him it's
+his duty as they tell't the Princess Alix, own granddaughter of
+Queen Victoria, when she married with the Czar of all the Russias.
+'Twas the Greek church she went over to."
+
+"But will Miss Connie marry the prince if he does give up his own
+church?" asked Edith eagerly.
+
+Again Mrs. Trott shook her head. "There's no mention of any
+weddin'," she admitted, "and it may be they're not even tokened,
+but the prince has been visitin' a sight of times at the Manor.
+Now, I'm thinkin' it's a good sign Mr. Max is here again. The
+Colonel, Miss Connie's father, loves him like a son. Why, he and
+Miss Connie grew up together, brother and sister-wise. The way of
+it was that Mr. Max's mother died when he was but a tiny and Mrs.
+Lisle, Miss Connie's mother, about took him for her own. He's fair
+lived with them. Many's the time he and Miss Connie have run in
+here for their tea or to dry their feet. You see I was parlor-maid
+at the Manor before I married Trott. That was when Mr. Eichard was
+living Miss Connie's brother. He was near fifteen years older and
+he died in South Africa, poor lad! Ah, when he was killed it nigh
+broke the Colonel's heart. Well, I've often helped out at the
+Manor when extra service was needed. Far rather would I see Miss
+Connie wedded to Mr. Max."
+
+"But how did Miss Connie happen to know the prince?" asked
+Frances.
+
+"In Rome. Till her mother died, they spent part of every winter
+there, but the Colonel can't bear the place now and they stop here
+the season. I keep hopin' Mr. Max will get her yet. Such a pretty
+well-mannered boy he always was and never above passin' a friendly
+word with us all.
+
+"I suppose," Mrs. Trott concluded, "when you come to think of it,
+Mr. Max is a foreigner, too, but the best I can say is that he's
+just like an honest English gentleman."
+
+Frances flushed, choking back a hot comment. She had so quickly
+felt a bond of kinship with this young American. Yet, in spite of
+her momentary anger, she realized that Mrs. Trott was paying the
+highest compliment in her power. Well, pride in her own country
+could teach Frances to value like loyalty in another.
+
+"What is his other name?" she inquired.
+
+"I couldn't rightly tell you, Miss. He was but a wee lad when he
+first came to the Manor. He calls the Colonel, uncle, and we
+forget he isn't really of the family. Yet his father has been
+here, too. He's famous for something very wise indeed. Could I
+speak the name, you might know, for he's well-spoken of outside
+our island."
+
+At this moment, Win appeared, strolling up the lane and looking
+annoyed to find the girls so far in the opposite direction from
+the railway. Nor did his vexation lessen on hearing their
+adventures, softened and smoothed though the version was. In fact,
+self-controlled Win was inclined to be decidedly cross and to
+disapprove emphatically acceptances of further favors from a
+stranger. Fran was still arguing when a smartly-appointed trap
+drawn by a shiny horse turned into the lane.
+
+"Now, you can see for yourself," declared Fran. "He's an American
+and a gentleman and it's all right for us to let him drive us
+home."
+
+"As if we couldn't hire a carriage in Gorey," Win retorted, but
+with a second glance at the driver, his attention was distracted.
+
+"Oh-h!" he said in perplexity, "that's the fellow who was in the
+Royal Square that morning. Now, where in the wide world have I
+seen him before?"
+
+Thinking hard, Win stared with puckered brows. Suddenly his face
+cleared. "Why, he's that young chap Father introduced me to the
+time he took me to Washington," he said accusingly to Fran. "Why
+didn't you tell me?"
+
+"How on earth could I know?" demanded Fran, but her brother had
+turned with a smile to greet the trap just drawing up by the gate.
+Mr. Max looked at Win with a puzzled glance which gradually
+changed to a look of recognition.
+
+"I do know you, don't I?" he said. "Well, I never suspected when I
+was detailed to entertain Captain Thayne's son for an hour or so,
+that we'd meet again in Gorey village. Why, that makes us old
+friends!"
+
+Win grasped the cordially offered hand and having bestowed Edith
+and Frances in the seat behind, climbed up beside Max, his face
+beaming. With many thanks to Mrs. Trott and promises to come
+again, they drove off.
+
+"Hasn't this been the most exciting afternoon?" Frances confided
+to Edith. "We've learned the collie lady's name and met the boy
+she told us of, and heard about her Italian prince. Look at Win!
+He's crushed on Mr. Max,--I can tell by the way he's looking at
+him. I should think Miss Connie would much rather marry an
+American."
+
+"Perhaps he hasn't asked her," said Edith sensibly. "Perhaps, if
+she really is engaged to the prince, she did it before Mr. Max
+came back from America and he couldn't help himself because it was
+too late."
+
+Max's back did not look as though it belonged to a specially
+unhappy person and the expression of his face as he talked
+pleasantly with Win was not that of a young man whose enjoyment in
+life has been seriously darkened, but it pleased the girls to
+fancy him as a blighted being, so keenly had Mrs. Trott's rather
+injudicious confidences appealed to their youthful ideas of
+romance.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+RICHARD LISLE'S LETTER
+
+
+"Why, I've met Miss Lisle several times," said Mrs. Thayne after
+hearing Fran's account of the exciting end of the picnic. "She's a
+charming girl and her father is the finest type of an English
+gentleman. At the lawn party this afternoon she spoke of meeting
+two girls on the beach and asked if one wasn't my daughter."
+
+"Oh, I do hope I can know her," said Frances happily. "I think
+she's the sweetest thing I ever saw. But, Mother, do you suppose
+what Mrs. Trott said about her and the Italian prince is true?"
+
+"That was a bit of gossip which Mrs. Trott should not have
+repeated to girls of your age," commented her mother, "but since
+you have heard it, I suppose it will do no harm to say that Prince
+Santo-Ponte undoubtedly does visit at the Manor, though I do not
+believe that any engagement exists between him and Miss Lisle. As
+for Mr. Max, as you call him, his father is Professor Rodney
+Hamilton, the noted scientist. Max has been much with the Lisles
+and to all purposes is the son of the house."
+
+"The day when I really meet Miss Connie will be the happiest of my
+life," declared Frances solemnly. Later, her amused mother learned
+that Edith was equally smitten.
+
+In his quiet way, Win was most anxious to see more of Max and it
+was partly with this wish in mind that he set off one morning
+shortly after the picnic at Orgueil, to stroll on the road leading
+past the Manor. On so pleasant a day he might encounter the young
+people riding or walking.
+
+When Win reached the Manor gates, no one was in sight, and he
+sauntered past, not caring to intrude on private grounds. One
+longing glance he cast at the chimneys above the laurels, twelve
+that he could count from that angle. What a rambling old structure
+the Manor house must be! Surely in its existence stretching back
+through the centuries, many interesting things had happened under
+that roof. What fun it would be to try to find them out!
+
+Absorbed in pleasant thought, Win walked farther than he realized,
+lured by the blue sea and a most interesting little church almost
+on the water's edge. The doors proved locked, but Win resolved to
+come again when he could gain admittance, for from outward
+appearance the building was extremely old.
+
+On turning, Win was soon aware that he had overtaxed his strength
+and was in no shape to walk to St. Aubin's. Pleasant as the sky
+still was, a strong sea breeze had risen, bringing difficulties
+for a person who required very favorable conditions for any
+prolonged exercise. Only slow progress was possible and when he
+again reached the iron gates of the Manor, he was really too tired
+to go on. Choosing the sunny slope of the hedge, he sat down to
+rest.
+
+Before long, voices approached on the other side of the laurels,
+voices speaking in French, and Max came through the arch,
+accompanied by a gardener carrying tools.
+
+"Why, Win," he said. "You're not stopping at the gate, I hope. The
+house is just beyond."
+
+[Illustration: A MOST INTERESTING LITTLE CHURCH ALMOST ON THE
+WATER'S EDGE.]
+
+Win smiled. "I sat down to get my breath," he explained. "I've
+been for a stroll and the wind knocked me about a trifle."
+
+Max looked at him keenly. "It's a bit cool to stop there," he
+said. "Come up to the house. We'll slip into the library and you
+can rest properly."
+
+Win demurred, thinking he would detain Max from his business.
+
+"Uncle only asked me to direct Pierre about some planting around
+the cottages," Max replied. He added some words in French to his
+companion, who nodded and struck off toward the shore. "I'll not
+stop for you," Max went on, taking Win's arm. "There isn't a
+person at home, and you will have the library to yourself."
+
+Win yielded at once. Aside from the pleasure of seeing Max again,
+the suggestion of books acted as a magnet.
+
+They crossed the beautiful Manor lawn,--green as in June,--not
+toward the main entrance but in the direction of some big French
+windows opening on the terrace. The casement yielded to Max's
+touch and the two entered a room that would have made Win gasp
+with pleasure had he been less exhausted. He received only the
+impression of spacious beauty and countless books, as he was
+established on a big old settle beside a fireplace where cheery
+flames were flashing. Before he knew precisely what was happening,
+Win found himself tucked among comfortable cushions.
+
+"There, go to sleep now," said Max, flinging over him a soft blue
+Italian blanket. "I've an idea this thing belongs in Connie's
+room, but since she left it here we will make use of it. There's
+no one at home and the only person likely to come is Yvonne, one
+of the maids. If she appears to look after the fire, just tell her
+you are my friend."
+
+Max departed and Win soon fell into a reverie. He did not sleep
+immediately but as his physical discomfort lessened under the
+influence of rest and quiet, he began to look about him.
+
+The three rooms composing the library were very high and opened
+into one another by arches. From floor to ceiling the books
+climbed, rank on rank, on the upper shelves in double tiers, in
+some places overflowing window seats. Narrow stained-glass
+casements threw pleasant patches of color on the polished floor.
+Age had blackened the oak ceiling and the handsome wall paneling
+where books did not conceal it. Here and there hung portraits,
+evidently of the family, judging from certain recurring
+resemblances. Their quaint costumes dated from the days of the
+Stuart kings.
+
+The utter quiet of the place, the time-faded bindings, the old
+pictures, the spots of crimson and blue light, the faint odor of
+leather, mingled with the scent of fresh flowers from some
+invisible source, all had their effect upon Win, who sank into a
+state of mind where he was neither awake nor quite asleep. His
+last wholly conscious thought was for the curious coat of arms
+above the fireplace, a shield that bore the date 1523.
+
+An hour later, Win came to full consciousness and at the same time
+to a sense of familiarity with his surroundings. "Of all queer
+things!" he thought as he sat up and looked around him. "The first
+day I was in Jersey I dreamed of this room or of some room like
+it. That man up there in the picture is mighty like the old Johnny
+that was around. I've been dreaming about him now, only I can't
+remember what."
+
+Try as he might, Win could not recall that dream, a fantastic
+jumble of persons and an impression, almost painful, of a
+fruitless search.
+
+"This is a house where anything might have happened," his thoughts
+ran. "How I wish I could have a chance at these books!"
+
+Shelves framed even the ancient fireplace, their contents within
+easy reach of Win's settle. His eye ran idly along the titles, a
+History of the World, an edition of Defoe, some old hour-books.
+Tucked in with these were two volumes of very modern philosophy,
+their bright cloth bindings looking curiously out of place. With
+their exception, nothing in sight looked less than a century old
+and examination proved most to be even older. Many bore marks of
+ownership by Lisles dead and gone.
+
+His enthusiasm thoroughly aroused, Win examined volume after
+volume, lingering over the quaint bookplates. Finally he took down
+a book unlettered on the back, but with a rubbed leather binding
+that showed marks of use. It proved a very old copy of the Psalms,
+a book that some one had once read often, for its pages were worn
+not only by time but by constant turning.
+
+Opening to the front, Win searched for a bookplate. There was
+none, but in fine handwriting appeared: "Richard Lisle His Valued
+Book." As Win replaced the volume a paper slipped from its pages.
+
+Picking it up, he glanced idly at the single sheet which seemed a
+page perhaps lost from some letter written long before, possibly a
+leaf from a diary. The penmanship was like the autograph in the
+Psalter, the ink, though faded, perfectly legible on the yellowed
+paper.
+
+The extract began in the middle of a sentence. Win, who started to
+decipher it from mere curiosity, ended by reading it five or six
+times. It ran as follows:
+
+"having fed my Prince and Eased him after his hard Flight we took
+Counsel anent his Refuge.
+
+"That he should lye at ye Manor looked not wise. Ye Castel seemed
+ye better Place.
+
+"Lest he be curiously viewed of Many we did furnishe Other garb
+and a Strong Bigge Cloake. And those who knew did safely lead him
+through ye Towne.
+
+"Ye honoured Relicks my Sonne and I did place in ye Spanish Chest
+and convey by Lantern light to that safe Place beyond ye Walls. So
+shall they Reste till happier Times shall Dawne.
+
+"Strange that this Day should bring such Honour to Mine House."
+
+Win's eyes grew interested and excited as he studied this message
+from the past. For whom was it meant and why had it lain all these
+years in the old Psalter? Did the Manor family know of its
+existence? The prince, the castle, the town, mentioned by a Lisle
+of Laurel Manor, must refer to events of island history.
+
+After thinking a few minutes, Win drew out his notebook and made a
+careful copy. Surely that was not abusing Max's hospitality and
+could do no harm. If he discovered anything interesting in looking
+up the matter in some history of Jersey at the public library, he
+would share his knowledge. Or there surely must be books of that
+kind here at the Manor. Perhaps he would be permitted to come
+again and investigate this fascinating room more thoroughly. He
+wished he knew Max better. If he only did, he could show his find
+at once and ask for an opinion. Well, that might come later.
+Anyway, it would be great fun to study the enigmatic paper and see
+what he could make of it.
+
+When Max came quietly a few minutes later, Win made no mention of
+his discovery. Surprised to find it so late, he thanked his host,
+and declared himself entirely fit to walk back to Rose Villa.
+
+"Come again," said Max as they parted at the gates. "I know you
+liked the library and that will please Uncle Dick. You must come
+when he's at home and he'll show you all his special treasures."
+
+Win went on with a happy face. That meant he would certainly have
+another opportunity to browse in that fascinating old book-room,
+and perhaps become so well acquainted with the Manor family that
+he could share his puzzle with somebody who would be equally
+interested in finding out what it meant.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+CHRISTMAS IN JERSEY
+
+
+Fran's "happiest day" soon dawned, for not long after the Orgueil
+picnic, she and Edith were walking down one of Jersey's lovely
+lanes. Enclosed by high ivy-covered earthen banks, it ran, a
+straight white road between green walls, and so narrow that at
+regular intervals, little bays were provided that carriages might
+pass. Evergreen oaks, often growing from the banks themselves, and
+drooping vines made the lane a bower of beauty even on a December
+afternoon. The girls had stopped to admire the old Norman gateway
+leading to Vinchelez Manor, when suddenly around a corner, bounced
+the beach dog. Close behind came Constance Lisle and Maxfield
+Hamilton.
+
+[Illustration: THE OLD NORMAN GATEWAY LEADING TO VINCHELEZ MANOR]
+
+"We've been to call on your respective mother and sister,"
+declared Connie, "and were desolated not to find the little ladies.
+What luck to meet you! Max, you don't need an introduction, do
+you, after playing Lord Lochinvar with both girlsat once?"
+
+At this sweeping characterization, they all laughed and walked
+along together, Tylo galloping ahead or falling behind as his
+sweet will led.
+
+"I'm giving a treat to the Sunday-school children after
+Christmas," Connie confided, as at the end of a brisk walk, they
+came to the parting of the ways. "I should like you girls, if you
+will, to help me with the kiddies. The brothers are invited too,
+if they would fancy it."
+
+"Win would like to help," Frances said quickly, her face lighted
+with pleasure at this request. "He's very good at things like
+that, but Roger's only twelve, you know."
+
+"Oh, Roger can hand buns," said Connie at once. "No harm if he
+does tread on a few. I shall count on you then next week Thursday,
+three days after Christmas. Take care not to stir abroad on
+Christmas eve for that's when the Jersey witches hold their
+meeting at the rock up by St. Clement's."
+
+She waved a laughing adieu and the girls went back to Rose Villa,
+bubbling over with pleasure and anticipation.
+
+It was fortunate for Frances that she did have this expectation of
+a visit to the Manor to buoy her spirits, for the season scarcely
+seemed Christmas. Warm weather and plentiful flowers did not
+appeal to one accustomed to the holiday in wintry Boston, but not
+the weather alone disturbed Fran. For some foolish reason she
+disliked intensely the differences of celebration that marked this
+holiday in another land. Her state of mind both worried and
+distressed Mrs. Thayne.
+
+"Why, little daughter, don't you see the fun of having Christmas
+under strange conditions?" she asked one evening, when she went to
+investigate a sound of woe from Fran's room.
+
+"No, I don't see any fun in it," replied Frances stubbornly. "I
+could stand Thanksgiving, even though I had to go to school,
+because Miss Estelle knew it was an important day to us and had a
+turkey for dinner and put little American flags around. But
+Christmas here in St. Aubin's, without Father, is too impossible."
+
+Mrs. Thayne was silent for a moment. Then she sat down on the bed
+and took Frances in her arms.
+
+"Listen, now," she said. "I want you to think about somebody else
+for a moment. There's Edith. Just remember how sad this season
+must be for her and Estelle. Yet Estelle goes about with a smiling
+face that gives me a heartache because her eyes are so pitiful.
+She's planning hard to make things pleasant for us and to have it
+seem Christmas to Edith. I know some of her plans, Fran. Then,
+even if Father isn't with us, we know he is well and that it is
+only a question of time before the _Philadelphia_ is where we can
+be nearer. Win is always self-controlled and naturally he and
+Roger don't miss the home conditions as you do, but their
+enjoyment is going to depend largely upon their sister. Why, Fran,
+you usually like new experiences and here they are looming thick
+and fast."
+
+"That's just the trouble," sobbed Fran. "I don't want them all
+piled on top of Christmas. I want to be with Grandmother and the
+cousins. I can't believe it is Christmas when it's so green and so
+hot."
+
+"Many nice things are going to happen," her mother went on. "Just
+think what fun you and Edith will have helping Miss Connie with
+her school treat. You are going to find that very English."
+
+Frances smiled. "Oh, I won't be a pig, Mother," she said at last.
+"Miss Connie is a dear and of course we must make the boys have a
+nice time."
+
+"The climate agrees so well with Win that I am very thankful to
+spend Christmas here," replied Mrs. Thayne. "To-morrow, Nurse is
+going into town to the French market and I think you will like to
+go with her."
+
+Win and Edith joined the marketing expedition next morning and
+even Frances was impressed with the holiday spirit overhanging the
+place. They left Nurse carefully inspecting fat geese in a
+poulterer's stall and started to explore.
+
+Any number of plump chickens and ducks hung about, together with
+little pigs decorated by blue rosettes on their ears, a touch that
+struck Win as extremely funny. In the vegetable market were heaped
+huge piles of potatoes, scrubbed till their pink skins shone,
+great ropes of red onions braided together by their dried tops,
+turnips, artichokes, garlic, winter squashes, white and purple
+cabbages, celery and egg plant and many varieties of greens and
+early vegetables. The stalls themselves were prettily arranged and
+fragrant with nice smells but their keepers were the great
+attraction. Many were in charge of old women dressed in white
+peasant caps and clean starched aprons above full wool skirts and
+wooden sabots. Little tow-headed grandchildren, comical replicas
+in miniature, smiled shyly or dropped bobbing curtsys as the girls
+stopped to speak.
+
+Fruit stalls proved even more fascinating with the hothouse
+grapes, red, white, and dark purple, showing a hazy bloom. Fresh
+figs and dates abounded, alternating with baskets of Italian
+chestnuts and oranges, forty for a shilling. Every stall seemed to
+have vied in decorations with its neighbor, being bowers of myrtle
+and laurestinus. One sported a shield showing three leopards in
+daffodils against a green background.
+
+"Look at the English coat of arms," said Frances, catching sight
+of it.
+
+"That's not English," said Edith. "Those are the leopards of
+Jersey, the old Norman insignia."
+
+"I can't understand," observed Frances as they sauntered on, "why,
+when Jersey belongs to England, it has a different coat of arms
+and government and everything."
+
+"Because the islands are all little self-governing communities,"
+supplied Win. "It's a privilege they have always had, and even
+England wouldn't dare take it from them now. Jersey is desperately
+jealous of Guernsey. They say that even a Jersey toad will die if
+it is taken to Guernsey."
+
+"Neither will Guernsey flowers blossom here," Edith added. "Oh,
+there's Miss Connie!"
+
+The little lady of Laurel Manor was standing before one of the
+flower-stalls, chatting in French with a very clean, rosy-cheeked
+old woman in a white cap. Behind Constance stood a servant
+carrying a basket and as the girls watched she purchased an
+enormous bunch of daffodils, a sheaf of calla lilies, and a
+quantity of narcissus.
+
+"Isn't she sweet in that soft green suit," commented Edith
+admiringly.
+
+Turning from the stall, Connie saw and hailed them. "Have you seen
+the fish-market?" she asked after greeting them gayly. "Oh, you
+must not miss that. I always go there."
+
+She led them past a long bench where sat several nice white-capped
+old women beside huge baskets of spotlessly washed eggs or round
+rolls of fresh, unsalted butter wrapped in cool green cabbage
+leaves. Some of them nodded and smiled and once Connie stopped to
+ask after a sick child. Everybody spoke in French and seemed most
+kind and cordial.
+
+Arrived at the fish-market, conger eels as big as Win's wrist, and
+four or five feet long, crabs two feet across the shells, lobsters
+blue rather than green, enormous scallops, huge stacks of oysters,
+cockles and snails, the so-called winkles, greeted the astonished
+eyes of the young people. In other directions were heaped piles of
+smelts, plaice and unknown fish.
+
+"These are what I dote on," said Constance, calling their
+attention to piles of tiny crabs, neatly tied by the claws into
+bunches. Most were alive, but owing to the fact that all chose to
+walk in different directions, the bunches remained fairly
+stationary. One might purchase two, four, six or a dozen,
+according to the size of one's appetite.
+
+"I'm so glad we met," said Connie, when in addition they had made
+the round of the flower market and exclaimed over its treasures of
+color and fragrance. "I thought of you this morning and wondered
+if you young people wouldn't like to help decorate the church.
+There are never too many helpers and we have ordered such lovely
+greens and flowers. Several of us are to be at the church at two
+this afternoon and you'll be very welcome if you care to come.
+It's pretty work and we always have a nice time."
+
+"Indeed, we should like to help," said Frances promptly. "Is it
+Mr. Angus's church at St. Aubin's?"
+
+"No, the one I mean is a tiny stone church not far beyond the
+Manor. Just take the highroad inland from the village and turn
+once to the left,"
+
+"Oh, I know," said Win quickly. "It stands almost on the shore."
+
+"That's it," said Connie. "I'll expect you then."
+
+Win declared himself quite equal to helping with the decorations
+that afternoon. When they arrived, the beach dog lay in the porch,
+thumping his tail by way of welcome, so they knew his mistress was
+already within. For a few moments, the three lingered to look at
+the quaint French inscriptions on the churchyard stones, but
+finally entered rather shyly. They were not given one moment to
+feel themselves strangers.
+
+"I'm delighted to see you," exclaimed Constance, coming down the
+aisle with a long vine trailing after. "So glad you came. Rose,"
+she called to a pretty young girl working near by, "here are some
+helpers for your windows. Oh, you know Rose LeCroix, don't you?
+She goes to your school. Win," she added quickly, "won't you come
+and help struggle with this tiresome pulpit?"
+
+Win followed at once, glad to see Max already busy over the
+designated task, but Constance sent him to seek a certain wire
+frame reputed to exist in the sacristy. Win found himself twining
+myrtle wreaths around the pillars of the stone pulpit, yet
+stealing constant glances at the interior of the old church.
+
+Part of it was very ancient, with round Norman pillars and a
+rounded vault, speaking of very distant days. Everything save pews
+and choir stalls was of granite, its rosy color making the stone
+seem warm rather than cold. Vines, holly and flowers heaped about
+the interior emphasized by their ephemeral beauty the solemn
+enduring majesty of the church itself. Ten or twelve young people
+were working more or less steadily to the accompaniment of much
+gay conversation.
+
+"Oh, Max, that's the wrong frame," Constance said suddenly.
+
+Win turned to see her sorting lilies where she knelt on the
+chancel steps.
+
+"This isn't Easter, ducky," she added. "We want a star, not a
+cross."
+
+Max smiled at Win, an indulgent, rather amused smile, and when the
+proper frame had been substituted, came back to the pulpit.
+
+"Tell me," said Win, indicating the stone vault. "What are those
+little pointed things up there?"
+
+"You mean the limpet shells?" asked Max, looking up.
+
+"Are they shells?" said Win in amazement. "They looked it, but I
+couldn't imagine how shells could be scattered about up there."
+
+"Some thousand years ago when the original builders quarried this
+stone from the Jersey shore, they didn't trouble to scrape off the
+limpets that clung to it. Nobody has removed them since; now it
+would seem sacrilege to do so."
+
+"A thousand years!" repeated Win in awe. He stopped work for a
+moment to look at the pointed shells on the roof.
+
+"Does jar a fellow and makes him feel mighty transitory and
+insignificant, doesn't it?" commented Max, with a friendly glance
+of understanding. "I think there's no place quite like this
+church. The Manor lies in its parish and Uncle Dick would know if
+a single limpet was knocked off. The only time I ever saw him
+really angry was once when some Americans--I'm an American, too,
+you know, so I can tell this story--tried to bribe the verger to
+scrape one down for them. There was rather a row and Uncle was in
+a fine fizz.
+
+"There's one interesting thing common to all these old churches,"
+Max went on, seeing that Win appreciated the place. "The island is
+divided into twelve parishes. From the church of each there was
+originally a road, leading directly to the sea. In feudal times, a
+criminal was safe if he took sanctuary in the church and by the
+old custom, after he had abjured his crime, he could go down by
+this one road to the shore and leave the island. But if he strayed
+never so little aside, he lost the benefit of the sanctuary and
+was liable to the law. Just imagine some old robber or cut-throat
+marching down his path to the sea, escorted by the churchwardens,
+with other men watching his every step, ready to seize him if he
+swerved. Some of these sanctuary roads are still the main
+highways."
+
+"I think the island history is so interesting," said Win. "I
+suppose it is a fact that Prince Charles did take refuge here?"
+
+"No doubt of it," Max replied, looking critically at the almost
+completed pulpit decorations. "Indeed, there is a story that he
+was entertained at Laurel Manor. Ask Uncle about it," he added,
+not noticing Win's start of interest. "He's awfully keen on that
+legend. I suppose it is very likely true though I don't know that
+there is any real proof. There, do you think her ladyship will
+approve our efforts? Excuse me,--Connie wants her star put in
+place."
+
+Left alone, Win stood thinking hard. So Prince Charles was reputed
+to have visited Laurel Manor! What if that chance letter were the
+proof? If so, was there not more in its message than confirmation
+of the prince's stay? One thing was certain--he _must_ get
+acquainted with Colonel Lisle.
+
+So many industrious hands soon completed their task. After the gay
+workers departed, Connie lingered for a last look.
+
+"Come and see it to-morrow morning," she said to the three.
+"Probably you'll wish to go into town at eleven, but come here for
+the early service at six."
+
+Edith looked doubtful. "Sister planned to go to St. Aubin's," she
+said.
+
+"I couldn't come alone," said Frances, her disappointment showing
+in her face.
+
+"I'll come with you," offered Win so unexpectedly that his sister
+frankly stared.
+
+"Good!" said Constance. "There'll be no music and only candle-
+light, but you'll love it. I wouldn't miss it for the world."
+
+That very evening Fran was forced to admit that a Jersey Christmas
+had its compensations. The doors of the back parlor, mysteriously
+locked for days, were opened and in the room, gay with holly,
+mistletoe, and laurestinus, appeared a most delightful little
+Christmas tree, itself rather foreign in appearance since it was a
+laurel growing in a big pot. Real English holly concealed the base
+and merry tapers twinkled a welcome.
+
+Estelle had spent much time and thought, coupled with anxious
+fears lest these young Americans whose lives seemed so sunny,
+might not care for so simple a pleasure. Their appreciation, not
+in the least put on for the occasion, quite repaid her.
+Inexpensive little gifts adorned the tree, each bearing a number.
+
+"Draw a slip," commanded Roger, appearing before his mother with a
+box. "Take a chance and see what you'll get."
+
+When all the slips were distributed, Roger as instructed by
+Estelle, took a gift at random from the tree and called its
+attached number.
+
+"Who has eight?" he demanded.
+
+"Here," said Win, giving up his slip in exchange for the tiny
+package, and presently laughing heartily over an absurd mechanical
+mouse. Ridiculous misfits in the presents made the distribution
+all the funnier, and the rejoicing was great when Roger, who
+didn't believe in washing his hands without being told to do so,
+drew a wee cake of soap. He took it good-naturedly and considered
+as an added joke, Estelle's hasty and shocked assurance that it
+was not meant especially for him.
+
+Strange to say, some packages appeared on that tree of which
+Estelle was ignorant, conveyed by Roger to the proper persons.
+Edith was rendered speechless with joy over several lovely gifts,
+and tears filled Estelle's eyes. Nor were Nurse and Annette
+forgotten. The Thaynes had certainly lived up to the American
+reputation for generosity.
+
+Then Nurse brought a big bowl filled with darting blue flames. The
+courageous shut one or both eyes, stuck in a fearful finger and
+extracted a fig or a fat raisin. Egg-nog and roasted Italian
+chestnuts completed Estelle's entertainment save for the holiday
+dinner of roast beef and plum pudding to follow on the morrow.
+
+Unexpected by Estelle, her plans were supplemented by a group of
+parish school-children, led by the old organist, who came through
+the streets, singing Christmas carols: "God save you, merry
+gentlemen," "Good King Wenceslaus" and "As Joseph was a-waukin'"
+
+In fascination Fran lingered on the steps long after the singers
+were gone, pleased with her distribution of pennies from her
+mother's purse and biscuit provided by Estelle. Far in the
+distance she could hear their voices. Yes, after all, an English
+Christmas had its points.
+
+Next morning, Nurse's call seemed incredibly early to Frances,
+though she found the whole household awake and exchanging
+greetings. Mrs. Thayne decided to accompany Win and Fran, and
+Roger alone remained in bed.
+
+The stars still shone brightly, making it seem the middle of the
+night, save for the hurrying groups bound for church, some still
+singing carols or hymns.
+
+"It's like October weather at home, isn't it, Mother?" said
+Frances as they walked on through the crisp, clear air. "See,
+there are lights in the windows and people leaving lanterns in the
+porch."
+
+The moment she entered, Frances understood what Connie meant by
+not missing that service for "anything in the world," and Win felt
+it even more keenly, being by nature more impressionable.
+
+The utter quiet, broken only by a distant wash of waves,--waves
+that sometimes broke over the stones in the churchyard,--the
+candles in the chancel, throwing into high relief Constance's
+Christmas star and touching with light the jonquils banking steps
+and altar rail; the dusk in the nave of the church half-revealing
+scattered groups of people as they knelt in silence under the
+arched vault where clung the limpets dead a thousand years,--all
+contributed to the age-old Christmas miracle.
+
+"I feel as though I'd never realized what Christmas meant before,"
+thought Win, and somewhat the same feeling came to Frances as her
+eyes became accustomed to the gloom and she discerned among the
+kneeling figures her fellow-workers of the day before. Half-way
+down the nave was the family from the Manor, Constance and Max on
+either side of a tall gray-haired gentleman. Fran recognized him
+as the one who had spoken to Win that day in the Royal Square.
+
+Win recognized him also, knew him to be Colonel Lisle and was
+quickly reminded of that curious old document, as yet a mystery.
+How he hoped Miss Connie's school treat would afford an
+opportunity to meet the owner of the Manor and to take some step
+toward the solution of that puzzle.
+
+As the service began, Frances stole a glance at the windows banked
+with glossy laurel and holly, over which she and Edith had worked
+with Rose LeCroix and her sister Muriel. Just because she had
+helped do something for that little church in a foreign land, Fran
+experienced a sudden blessed feeling of belonging a bit. A
+pleasant glow crept into her heart, a sense of the spirit that
+makes the world akin at Christmas.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+THE BUN WORRY
+
+
+"I have helped you very nicely all the morning, Connie, and I hope
+you appreciate my goodness. But as for messing about the lawn with
+a bun worry in full blast,--thank you, Maxfield is not on. One
+doesn't want to let one's self in for everything."
+
+"Your goodness isn't such as to alarm me," sighed Constance,
+casting a worried glance about the Manor green. "You're in no
+danger of acquiring saintship. Dad has balked, too. What'll I do
+alone?"
+
+"Being on toast yourself, why do you want to have me there?" said
+Max mischievously. "Aren't all the Sunday school mistresses coming
+to help and didn't you ask those nice American kiddies?"
+
+"I did, and that's another reason why I want you," retorted
+Connie, flying to adjust to her better satisfaction the basket of
+narcissus decorating the chief table. "Max, I don't know where to
+have you. Since you came from the States, I can't make out whether
+you are English or American. Here you are shying either at an
+English school treat or at some nice American children. Which is
+it?"
+
+"Neither, I think," Max replied after a survey of the close-
+clipped lawn, boasting that velvety turf which only centuries of
+care can perfect. Great groups of laurel proudly proclaimed the
+right of the Manor to its name; carefully trimmed hedges of yew
+and box protected borders already gay with spring flowers, and
+beyond the grounds shimmered the sea. Max's glance was one of
+affection, for this was the scene of many happy boyhood days.
+
+"I think I'd shy just as quickly at an American tea-fight," he
+said at length. "As for being neither English nor American, I love
+both countries. I would certainly be loyal to my own, but I would
+also take up arms for England, if the time ever came that she
+needed me and the two duties didn't conflict."
+
+"You're a duck," said Constance promptly. "Come, take up arms and
+carry a basket of buns for me this afternoon."
+
+"Too many petticoats coming," said Max. "I'm afraid of those
+freaks from the rectory. But I'll agree to furnish a substitute
+who will more than take my place. The kiddies will be thrilled to
+a peanut. Come now, let me off?"
+
+"I suppose so," agreed Constance. "Don't bother about letting me
+down softly. Trot off and do anything you think you have to do.
+Here are the Marqué children already. And there come the Thaynes."
+
+"I will perform a vanishing act," said Max quickly. "Connie, I
+really am booked for an hour with Uncle Dick, but I'll send that
+substitute. Watch for him."
+
+Constance looked after him suspiciously, but Max was already half
+across the sunken garden, whistling to Tylo as he went.
+
+"Are we too early, Miss Connie?" asked Frances as they came up.
+
+"Just on the dot," replied Connie, greeting them all. "The
+children are arriving. We will play games first and then have tea.
+Excuse me, please, while I go and speak to the Reverend Fred."
+
+Constance departed to greet the curate thus disrespectfully
+designated, a youthful individual of rather prepossessing
+appearance. Just behind him appeared Rose and Muriel LeCroix and
+other girls whom Frances knew at school.
+
+Soon the children came thick and fast, shy youngsters propelled by
+older brothers and sisters, independent groups, a few babies in
+arms, a scattering of older people.
+
+Two white-draped tables by the yew hedge were the target for the
+children's eyes as they wondered what those linen-covered baskets
+concealed. There would be tea of course, buns in plenty, possibly
+cake.
+
+Presently the children, poked and pulled into line were started
+playing London Bridge, two of the biggest girls forming the
+bridge.
+
+For a moment Frances stood apart, watching the marching, shouting
+youngsters, scrubbed till they shone, clothed in clean though
+often clumsy garments and heavy shoes. No great poverty was
+indicated by their apparel, and some, evidently of French origin,
+were dressed with real taste and daintiness. These were also
+remarkable for a more vivacious appearance than the stolid little
+Anglo-Saxons. Some few were of striking beauty.
+
+As one game succeeded another, the children grew less stiff and
+self-conscious. The Reverend Fred was joining in the sport with
+conscientious zeal, as were his two sisters and Edith and Miss
+Connie. Fran caught the contagion and found herself flying about
+the Manor lawn, tying a handkerchief over one child's eyes to lead
+in Blindman's Buff, helping another group play King of the Castle,
+finally organizing a game of Drop the Handkerchief.
+
+With amused surprise she saw Roger actually helping Muriel LeCroix
+with a number of the smallest children, and this fact so impressed
+Frances that she failed to note Win's absence.
+
+Her brother was not far away. Had Frances been nearer the opening
+in the hedge, leading into the sunken garden in its season full of
+roses, she might have seen an interesting picture, for with great
+glee, Win was helping prepare for appearance Max's promised
+substitute.
+
+Down in the rose-garden, where an old sundial marked "only the
+sunny hours," the afternoon shadows grew long. The older people,
+somewhat exhausted by strenuous play, seated the children in a big
+circle ready for tea. From the Manor emerged Yvonne, Pierre, and
+Paget, Constance's old nurse, armed with shiny copper cans, to
+fill cups for distribution.
+
+Frances seized a basket of buns and for a time was so occupied
+with playing Lady Bountiful to a host of little hands, now rather
+grimy, that it seemed quite natural to be sharing in this unusual
+festivity. But as she was hurrying back to the table to refill her
+empty basket, she met Edith on a similar errand. Suddenly it
+struck her as very odd that she should be helping.
+
+"This is the funniest affair I ever saw," she confided merrily.
+
+"Why?" asked the puzzled Edith, lifting grave eyes to look at her.
+"Don't you give the Sunday school children treats in America?"
+
+"Oh, yes," admitted Frances, "but we'd never fill them up on weak
+tea and buns. They'd expect ice-cream and cake."
+
+Edith looked much shocked. "Ices are very dear," she remarked,
+"and not fitting for these children. Would you really serve ices
+in winter?" she asked incredulously.
+
+"On the very coldest day of the year," asserted Frances
+emphatically. "Oh, America is so _different_, Edith! Why there's
+scarcely a town so tiny that you can't buy ice-cream any time of
+the day or any time of year."
+
+"It must indeed be different," Edith agreed. Basket refilled, she
+returned to her charges.
+
+For a minute Frances lingered, looking around at the circle of
+hilarious children, each with a mug, more or less precariously
+clasped, each stuffing big plummy buns; looked at the older people
+so anxiously attending to them. Yes, it was very different, very
+English, but also very interesting.
+
+As Frances passed the entrance to the sunken garden, her basket
+filled this time by solid-looking pieces of cake, she heard her
+name.
+
+"Fran," came Win's voice, "call Tylo. Get him to come out on the
+lawn."
+
+Frances called. She could see no one in the garden, only hear
+amused voices trying to induce Tylo to answer the summons.
+
+"He won't start," said Win again. "Ask Miss Connie to whistle for
+him, Fran."
+
+On receiving Fran's message, Constance looked puzzled.
+
+"I'd as soon Tylo would stop away," she said. "The kiddies may not
+fancy him begging for their cake. Still, I'll call."
+
+At the summons from his mistress, Tylo instantly came, causing a
+sudden silence among the chattering children, silence succeeded by
+wild shrieks of pleasure.
+
+The beach dog emerged from the garden wearing a wreath of roses
+around his neck, with an open pink silk parasol fastened to his
+collar and tipped at a fashionable and coquettish angle over his
+head and holding firmly in his mouth the handle of a basket filled
+with as varied an assortment of English "sweets" as Max could
+secure in his hasty gallop into St. Helier's.
+
+Connie, too, gave an exclamation of laughter. "Oh, look at my best
+Paris brelly!" she groaned. "Max stole that. Yvonne never gave it
+to him."
+
+Fully conscious that he held the center of the stage, Tylo
+advanced, waving his tail and casting amiable glances upon the
+children as they came crowding around, buns and cake forgotten. He
+seemed perfectly to understand what was expected and held the
+basket until the last sugar plum was secured by little searching
+hands, then employed to caress the bearer. Max's substitute
+certainly scored the greatest hit of the Manor "bun worry."
+
+From their seclusion in the rose-garden, the two conspirators
+watched Tylo's successful appearance.
+
+"Let's come in and wash," said Max, seeing that no further
+responsibility remained to them. "Or are you keen on a bun worry?
+I like them, like them awfully, you know, but somehow, I'm afraid
+Uncle Dick may be lonely. I feel it's my duty to look him up."
+
+Win would have seen through this flimsy excuse without the
+betrayal of Max's merry eyes, but the proposal chanced to be what
+he most wished to do. Very gladly he followed Max through the
+gardens to a side entrance to the house, where they went up to
+Max's room, a high oak-paneled chamber that would have been sombre
+were it not for three sunny mullioned casements overlooking the
+sea. Cases crowded with books stood by the fireplace, fishing
+rods, cricket bats and oars decorated the walls.
+
+"Those aren't mine," said Max, noticing Win's glance as he stood
+drying his hands; "only the skiis and racquets. This was Richard's
+room, Uncle Dick's only son. He was a subaltern in the British
+army, just twenty when he was killed in the charge on Majuba Hill.
+They have always given me his room at the Manor. I fancy Uncle
+liked to have it occupied by a boy again."
+
+"Colonel Lisle himself must have done some fighting," observed
+Win. "How did he lose his arm?"
+
+"For years he was an officer in India. He lost his arm defending
+the Khyber Pass against the Afghans."
+
+Max took his guest down the main staircase to the great entrance
+hall, with its high raftered roof, and stone floor half covered by
+valuable Oriental rugs. Suits of shining armor lent glints of
+light; curious spears, ancient swords and firearms, many of them
+very old, were fastened on walls dark with age. Win stopped to
+look at the carved mantel over the great fireplace, sporting the
+leopards of Jersey, the Lisle coat of arms and the date 1509.
+
+"Imagine living in a house built all those centuries ago," he
+sighed. "This is older than the library, isn't it?"
+
+"Somewhat," replied Max. "The wing here is the oldest part of the
+house. Let's come to Uncle's study. I fancy he'll be there."
+
+Colonel Lisle was lounging near the fire, but appeared very
+willing to put aside his book and welcome the two.
+
+"And have you had tea, Uncle?" Max inquired. "We haven't, and I
+could do nicely with a cup."
+
+"With all those gallons of tea on the lawn, it is a pity if an
+able-bodied young gentleman couldn't secure one cup," said the
+Colonel smiling. "Now you mention it, I believe I have had none
+either. Ring the bell by all means and order it. I was absorbed in
+verifying some points of old Norman law," he added to Win. "Our
+islands have an interesting history."
+
+"Win is pleased that Prince Charles has left his mark on Jersey,"
+observed Max, giving the bell-pull a vigorous twitch. "Tell him,
+Uncle, about his stopping here."
+
+"Such is the legend handed down from father to son," replied the
+Colonel. "The story goes that the prince was brought to the Manor
+immediately after landing in Jersey. Just where he landed and how
+he was conveyed here is not known, but his stay was short. The
+owner of the Manor at that date, another Richard Lisle,--he whose
+portrait hangs in the library,--was an ardent Royalist who would
+have risked everything to serve his prince. Authorities agree that
+Charles spent the period of his stay in one of the castles, some
+say Orgueil, others Elizabeth. Probably the Manor roof sheltered
+him but for a few hours. I should very much like to see the legend
+of his stop in this house authenticated beyond question. Max tells
+me you are fond of books," the speaker continued. "After tea, I
+will show you some of our special treasures."
+
+Win's face, already alight with interest, grew even more responsive
+to this offer, yet as the tea came, he felt unaccountably stupid
+and idiotic. Utter disgust with himself filled his mind to think he
+couldn't get to the point then and there of telling his kind host
+about that letter he had discovered.
+
+Max noticed that Win was ill at ease, attributed it to shyness or
+perhaps awe of the Colonel, who was, as Max put it, "a bit
+impressive till a fellow knew him," and tried to help matters by
+talking nonsense that amazed Win and evidently amused the Colonel.
+Gradually, as he saw that Max was not in the least afraid of the
+dignified owner of the Manor, Win began to feel less tongue-tied.
+
+Presently came a sound of gay voices, a tap at the door and
+Constance, the girls, and Roger entered.
+
+"The tea-party is gone and in its place is peace," said Connie.
+"Daddy dear, I want you to meet Frances and Edith. And this is
+Roger. Max, why didn't you have tea with us and the kiddies?"
+
+"Because of buns," said Max. "My bun-eating days are past."
+
+"Not so long past!" retorted Constance with a mischievous smile.
+"Not so many years ago that I bribed you with a penny bun to steal
+a tooth for me out of a skull in the Capuchin church! He did it,
+too," she added to the girls, laughing delightedly at this charge.
+"You haven't been in Rome? The Capuchin monks have a church there
+with some holy earth brought from Jerusalem. Years ago,--they
+don't do it now, because modern sanitary laws have invaded Rome,--
+the monks who died were buried in this earth. Only of course as
+the centuries passed, there wasn't room for them all, so the monks
+longest buried had to get up and give place to others. Their bones
+were arranged in nice neat patterns on the walls, and the skulls
+heaped in piles. It was a tooth from one of these skulls that I
+fancied. Max ate the bun and stole the tooth for me, but Daddy
+wouldn't let me keep it and made Max put it back."
+
+"Oh, how could you ever want such a thing, Miss Connie!" exclaimed
+Edith, shuddering with horror.
+
+"I wonder, why did I?" said Constance reflectively. "It certainly
+doesn't appeal to me now. Mother was shocked; she disinfected
+everything that tooth had touched. Are you through tea, Daddy? I
+want to take the girls into the library."
+
+Once again in the old book-room, Win recovered his self-possession
+in admiration of its treasures of illuminated missal and
+manuscript. His interest pleased his host, who ended by cordially
+inviting the boy to visit the Manor library whenever and as often
+as he chose to come. Win's genuine delight over this permission
+touched the Colonel, who from his own physical handicap, guessed
+that life was not always smooth for Win.
+
+Win's pleasure arose not merely from the enjoyment of the library
+itself but because he would surely grow better acquainted with the
+Manor family and have a more favorable opportunity to show his
+discovery in the old Psalter.
+
+He was very quiet on the way home and scarcely spoke while Fran
+was giving her mother a graphic account of the afternoon. Win
+hardly knew she was talking until his attention was caught by a
+dramatic remark.
+
+"Miss Connie told us something so exciting, Mother," Fran was
+saying. "Roger asked her if there was a ghost. He blurted it right
+out and I was quite mortified, because you know if they did have
+one and were sensitive, it would have seemed impolite. But Miss
+Connie said right away that the Manor had all modern improvements,
+including a well-behaved and most desirable ghost. Then she and
+Mr. Max looked at each other and laughed. She said the haunted
+room was above the library and promised to give us a chance to
+investigate some day. I wanted dreadfully to ask about secret
+stairs,--you remember what that boy at Orgueil said--but perhaps
+when we are looking for the ghost there will be a chance to speak
+of the stairs."
+
+"Indeed, you've had a most interesting afternoon," agreed Mrs.
+Thayne, "the discovery of a haunted room at the Manor being not
+the least."
+
+"And what have you done all by yourself, _poor_ Mother?" said
+Frances, suddenly sympathetic and affectionate.
+
+"Part of the afternoon I was out and since then I have been
+talking with Estelle. If she only felt she could, it would be so
+much better for her to go more among people, for the constant
+effort to be brave when she is so much alone, is very wearing. She
+seems so pathetically grateful that we chanced to come to her this
+winter instead of other less congenial lodgers. Sometime I hope
+she will speak frankly of just how they are situated and whether
+she has plans beyond this season, for I might be able to further
+them. And I hope, too, I shall succeed in placing the something
+familiar that always strikes me in Estelle. Have you ever noticed
+it, Fran? To my surprise, Win said the other day that Estelle
+reminded him of some one."
+
+"No," said Fran. "I never noticed it. But I might ask Edith
+whether they have any relatives in the United States."
+
+"That could do no harm," assented Mrs. Thayne thoughtfully. "Since
+Win spoke of it also, the resemblance must be to some one we know
+over there."
+
+Frances and her mother went away but Win sat thinking for some
+moments. The mention of secret stairs recalled to him, though he
+could not say why, that odd dream twice experienced since he came
+to Jersey, of a search in a narrow unfamiliar passage, with
+unknown companions, for something unspecified.
+
+With a start he finally roused himself and went upstairs. Before
+going to bed he read again the copy of Richard Lisle's letter.
+
+"There's more to this than just the coming of the prince," he
+thought. "That's a fact, but if that 'safe place' can be
+discovered, I'll warrant we shall find the Spanish Chest and
+whatever 'relicks' Richard and his 'Sonne' put into it."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+THE MANOR CAVE
+
+
+A few days after the school treat, Maxfield Hamilton was
+sauntering slowly across the Manor grounds. The January sky above
+shone blue as in a New England June, gay crocuses starred the
+short green grass, snowdrops and bluebells were already budded.
+From heights unknown floated the song of a skylark; in the holly
+hedge sat an English robin.
+
+Max heard the skylark but did not notice the robin as he stopped
+at the gates to look down to the sea, stretching to shining
+horizons under the afternoon sun. His face was thoughtful and
+rather sober.
+
+The robin gave a little cheep and Max turned to discover the bird
+almost at his elbow, a tiny scrap of olive feathers and bright red
+breast, considering him with soft wise eyes, head on one side.
+
+"Hello, old chap," Max remarked. "What do _you_ think of this
+world?"
+
+From the tone, the robin might have inferred that the speaker's
+opinion was anything but favorable. Considering him for a second,
+he concluded him inoffensive and began to peck at the glowing
+holly berries.
+
+Max wandered slowly through the gates and across the Manorhold to
+the shore, distant at this point about a quarter of a mile. Two or
+three stone cottages with picturesque straw-thatched roofs lay
+near the cliffs, property of the Manor and usually occupied by
+employees.
+
+With the thoughtful expression still on his face, Max passed the
+cottages to stop on the edge of the cliffs already showing yellow
+with gorse. Should the tide serve, he had it in mind to revisit a
+haunt of his boyhood. A moment's scrutiny showed him right in
+thinking that the tide was on the ebb and he started rapidly down
+a rough, rather slippery path. As he rounded an outlying rock he
+came full on Roger Thayne.
+
+Sprawled flat on the sloping cliff, Roger was watching so intently
+the doings of a spider that he did not look up until a shadow fell
+squarely across the web.
+
+"That you, Roger?" said Max. "Alone? Where are Win and the girls?"
+
+"I don't know," replied Roger, flushing uncomfortably. "That is, I
+don't know where the girls are."
+
+"Win's not ill, I hope?"
+
+"No, he isn't." Roger rolled over to look at his visitor. The
+young face wore a pleasant smile and the gray eyes were friendly,
+but somehow Roger had a suspicion that Mr. Max wasn't the sort to
+approve outright truancy.
+
+"Win's all right," he added evasively. "He's studying or
+something."
+
+A queer little expression crossed Max's lips. "Then since you have
+a holiday,--well-deserved, no doubt,--come on exploring with me."
+
+Roger was on his feet in a second, the arrow of reproof glancing
+off unnoted. "Where are you going?" he demanded.
+
+"Oh, just down here a few rods. We may have to hold up for the
+tide. It won't be low water for some time yet."
+
+The faint path presently ended in piles of red granite, still wet
+from the sea, in places slippery with vraic, as the Jerseymen call
+the seaweed used as fertilizer for their land.
+
+"We shall have to stop a bit," said Max, after a short steep
+descent. As he spoke he sat down and began to crush a bit of vraic
+between his fingers.
+
+"This seaweed is one of the biggest assets the farmers have," he
+said to Roger. "You'll enjoy being here in February when the great
+vraic harvest comes. The farmers go down to the shore with carts
+and a sort of sickle. At low tide the southern shore is black with
+people cutting the seaweed from the rocks. The carts are used to
+carry it up beyond tide-mark. Men, women and young people all turn
+out and it's one of the sights of the island. The harvest lasts
+for several weeks and for the first few days there is a continual
+picnic with dancing and all sorts of jollifications."
+
+"But I've often seen men gathering seaweed on the beach," said
+Roger. "It isn't February yet."
+
+"They are gathering the loose weed that is washed ashore. Any one
+may take that between the hours of sunrise and sunset, but he must
+stop at sound of the sunset gun. The cutting from the rocks is
+regulated by a hallowed custom. In June there's a second harvest
+when only the poor people may cut the vraic for a few weeks. After
+they have had their turn anybody may cut it till the last of
+August."
+
+As he concluded, Max threw away the seaweed and picked up one of
+the abundant black flint pebbles. For some moments he amused
+himself by striking sparks from it with the back of a knife blade.
+
+"I haven't lost the knack," he remarked. "By the way, have you
+found any flint knives? They turn up occasionally, though more
+often inland than in a place like this. They are relics of the
+days when the Druids were in Jersey. You've seen the burial
+mounds, haven't you,--the Dolmens?"
+
+"I have," said Roger briefly. "In Bill Fish's company. Liked the
+stones all right enough, but Bill can't talk, you know. He
+expounds."
+
+Max grinned. "Bad Writ, that," he agreed. "Come along. We can get
+through now."
+
+[Illustration: THEY CAME UPON THE LOVELIEST OF LITTLE BEACHES]
+
+Climbing carefully around a slippery projecting rock, its base yet
+submerged, they came upon the loveliest of lovely little beaches,
+in shape almost a semi-circle, the water forming the bisector and
+the frowning red cliffs the arc. Near the centre of the half-
+circle stood two tall pinnacles of red granite. Behind them yawned
+an entrance about five feet high and under this Max bent his tall
+head. Roger followed and uttered a whistle of pleasure and
+amazement.
+
+They stood in a large cave, floored by fine bright yellow sea
+sand, broken irregularly by out-croppings of rose-pink rock, sand
+and rock alike wet and glistening. Away to the back of the cave,
+Roger saw that the floor rose higher. The roof was iridescent with
+green and yellow lichens; pebbles of jasper, cornelian and agate
+strewed the sand.
+
+In the twelve years of his existence, Roger had never seen
+anything like this and surprise rendered him inarticulate.
+
+"Some cave!" he commented at length. "Look, Mr. Max, what are
+these?"
+
+"Oh, haven't you met any sea-anemones? The pools are full of them.
+Jolly little beggars."
+
+Roger was naturally less enthusiastic over the charming water-
+gardens than the girls when they chanced upon them, but he was
+considerably interested in the numerous and varicolored snails,
+their shells bright green or delicate pink, truly entrancing to
+pick up and examine. By the time Roger finished a somewhat minute
+inspection his companion was out of sight.
+
+"Hello!" he shouted in some concern.
+
+"Right-oh!" came a quiet reply.
+
+Bather abashed by the startling echoes he had evoked, Roger
+climbed over fallen rocks to the back of the cave. There the floor
+rose sharply, affording a level apparently beyond reach of the
+tide, for some tiny land plants had found a lodging, ferns waved
+from the crannied vault and there was no sign of any marine
+growth.
+
+"This used to be a favorite resort of mine," said Max, who was
+sitting on the high ledge, some five feet wide. Beyond, the cave
+ended in a mass of stone and rubble.
+
+Roger's eyes grew wide. "What a dandy place!" he exclaimed.
+
+"Not much compared with the Plémont caves," replied his companion.
+"You'll probably go there before leaving the island. There are
+five or six of them and one has a waterfall dividing it into two
+distinct caves. Plémont is the spot where the cable comes in from
+England, crawls out of the ocean like a great dripping hoary old
+sea-serpent to trail through a cleft to the station on the cliff
+above. This is a rat-hole beside those caves."
+
+"I'll take steps to go there," said Roger earnestly. "Say, does
+the water ever come up here?"
+
+"I don't think so. Even at the spring tides, it would probably not
+reach within two feet of this ledge. Only a rip-snorter of a
+tempest could endanger goods stored here, or even anybody who
+chose this cave to hide in."
+
+"Some hiding-place," admitted Roger.
+
+"So I've found it. When I was about your age, I came down here
+because I was annoyed with the world in general and stopped
+between two tides."
+
+"Really?" gasped Roger. "Did you get wet?"
+
+"Not a bit. I'll admit that things seemed spooky when I'd waited
+so long that I couldn't get out. I took solid comfort in the ferns
+and in a sea pink that had put out a scared little blossom right
+where we are sitting. I was shut in the better part of six hours
+and time proved a bit slow. I remember coming to the conclusion
+that perhaps the people I'd left behind weren't so utterly
+unreasonable after all. I fancy it's a rather sure sign that when
+you can't rub along with anybody, the trouble isn't altogether
+with them."
+
+Roger looked at him suspiciously but Max's gaze was bent on the
+cave entrance, arching over a wonderful view of blue sea.
+
+"Do you like to live in Paris?" he asked hastily.
+
+"I'd rather stop in Rome where my father is," Max replied,
+suppressing a smile over the sudden change of subject. "But Dad
+runs up occasionally. I feel as though I'd be more use in Rome
+because there I know everybody who is anybody, you see, and it
+would be a help to the Embassy. Dad thinks I may be able to work a
+transfer after a year or so. If the Ambassador to Italy remarks to
+the State Department at Washington that Maxfield Hamilton seems a
+likely young chap with both eyes open and that he wouldn't mind
+having him on his staff, why Max may receive a document telling
+him to pack his little box and attach his person to the Embassy at
+Rome."
+
+Roger laughed. "Then you don't like Paris?"
+
+"Oh, yes," said Max thoughtfully. "I've had a jolly time socially.
+I can't imagine anybody in my circumstances not enjoying himself.
+But it's not where I most want to be. It's up to me to make good
+so emphatically that they'll hand me on to Rome with a word in my
+favor."
+
+"I expect they will," said Roger.
+
+"Not if I don't buckle down," said Max half to himself. "Something
+happened last October that gave me a jolt and it has been hard to
+stick to work. I came over here for the holidays determined to get
+myself in hand again. I think I've succeeded, old chap, so I'd
+better go back and dig in. A man mustn't whine, you know, if it
+looks jolly final that he isn't going to have everything he wants.
+I've wasted time enough. I must go back to Paris now and keep my
+mind on my job."
+
+"I bunked Bill Fish this afternoon," admitted Roger suddenly.
+
+"No doubt he was a frightful bore," commented Max without showing
+the least surprise. "Probably I'd have done the same in your
+place. The only disadvantage about shying at disagreeable things
+like tutors is that one hardly ever gets rid of them after all.
+I'm becoming convinced that the only way to get round a difficulty
+is to hit it in the head and walk over its flattened corpse."
+
+Roger grinned. "Shall I bat Bill Fish?" he asked.
+
+"Bill Fish might be worse. Don't blame you for feeling him a
+freak, but the schools in Jersey are footy affairs. If you want a
+fair sample of a school you'd have to try England proper. We've
+messed about here long enough. Let's take a swim."
+
+"Does the cave end here?" asked Roger, looking at the pile of
+broken stone beyond the shelf.
+
+"I suppose so. It's the only one on the Manor lands so Connie and
+I liked to come. Uncle Dick wouldn't permit it unless a grown
+person was with us to watch the tide. How about a dip? No one can
+see us."
+
+Max left the ridge to saunter toward the entrance, stopping to
+investigate more than one pool of anemones. "By the way," he
+added, "I wouldn't tell the girls of this cave. They'll be keen on
+searching for it afternoons when they are free and you aren't, and
+may get into a mess with the tides. Really it's not quite safe."
+
+[Illustration: PLÉMONT IS THE SPOT WHERE THE CABLE COMES IN FROM
+ENGLAND]
+
+"All right," agreed Roger, sliding from the shelf. As he did so, a
+sudden current of warm air struck him, quite unlike the rather
+damp, salty atmosphere of the cave. His curiosity was sufficiently
+aroused to cause him to stop and look back, but Max had already
+begun to undress and there seemed no possible place for a sweet
+land breeze to find entrance.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+WIN VISITS THE LIBRARY
+
+
+Max's abrupt departure two days later was a great disappointment
+to Win, who admired him greatly and coveted a closer acquaintance.
+That he should cut short his stay on the plea of work to be done
+seemed reasonable to the others but his going quite upset Win. Nor
+was this disappointment lightened by a period of semi-invalidism
+when all exertion was difficult and patience very far to seek. Not
+for some weeks after Max left was Win able to take advantage of
+the Colonel's prized invitation to use the Manor library.
+
+He made his first visit, fully determined to broach the discovery
+of Richard Lisle's letter to either the Colonel or his daughter,
+whichever should appear, but Yvonne, who admitted him with a
+smiling welcome, reported neither at home.
+
+Nor did fortune favor his second attempt. The Colonel was in St.
+Helier's and Constance entertaining a group of young people on the
+lawn. Win dodged these visitors and from the library windows
+looked down upon a lively set of tennis. Players and spectators
+alike seemed to know one another extremely well. The inference Win
+drew was correct, that for some reason, the little lady of the
+Manor chose just now to crowd her life with social engagements and
+gay festivities.
+
+Time had been when Win didn't care to watch others play games he
+could not share, but Win was learning that every life has its
+compensations; when one is debarred from one thing, he is sure to
+have another in its place. Without envy Win watched them for a
+time before turning to the books.
+
+His third visit was made on a morning in early February when
+walking was rather difficult owing to a penetrating rain. Wintry
+weather seemed to have visited the Island, but the cold was
+deceptive, for though a heavy coat was acceptable, plenty of
+flowers were in blossom, even a number of surprised-looking roses.
+
+On reaching the Manor, Win was admitted by cordial Yvonne, who at
+once conducted him to his sanctuary. The room was empty, but a
+cheery fire glowed on the hearth, and on the long bare black oak
+table stood an enormous copper bowl full of fresh daffodils,
+making a spot of light and beauty in the sombre room.
+
+Win spent a few moments warming his hands at the fire and
+considering thoughtfully the back of the old Psalter in which was
+shut Richard Lisle's letter. Perhaps opportunity would favor him
+to-day, some chance be provided to show that discovery to either
+Miss Connie or her father.
+
+That its contents referred to Prince Charles was established
+beyond doubt by the existing legend of his entertainment at the
+Manor, but the letter said much more than that. Only some one
+thoroughly familiar with the Manor and its possessions could
+interpret further. As the rain beat on the terrace outside, Win
+chanced to look up at the portrait near the fireplace, and
+instantly recalled that curious dream.
+
+"I dreamed all that stuff just because I've always been crazy to
+go treasure-hunting," he thought, "and because that old Cavalier
+was the last thing I saw before I went to sleep. Well, I might go
+and read for a while."
+
+With a glance of admiration at some fine old armor passed on the
+way, Win went into the farther room to settle himself on the
+comfortable window seat with a fat history of the island of
+Jersey.
+
+Fully an hour passed before the sound of low voices penetrated his
+consciousness. Gradually he became aware that two people were now
+occupying the seat before the smouldering fire. One was Constance
+Lisle, the other some one Win had never seen before, a dark
+distinguished-looking young man, evidently of foreign blood.
+
+Connie was leaning back in the corner of the old settle, her white
+dress and the neighboring bowl of daffodils standing out as high
+lights in the shadowy surroundings. Her companion, beside her, was
+bending slightly forward, his face turned eagerly toward hers.
+
+Had he wished to listen, Win could not distinguish the low words.
+That fact absolved him from the necessity of making his presence
+known, for leave he could not without passing through the room.
+Presently the young man raised his voice and Win realized that he
+was speaking in Italian.
+
+For the moment, interest in the present dismissed the past. Win
+had heard the girls' chatter about their adored Miss Connie and
+the romance attributed to her by Mrs. Trott, but boy-like, paid
+very little attention to what he considered the foolish fancies of
+sentimental kids. Now he was startled into sudden interest.
+
+That stranger must be Miss Connie's Italian prince. Very handsome
+and very much of a gentleman he looked and most earnest their
+conversation. Yet even to an inexperienced observer, it was not
+that of two happy young people, entering a sunny stretch of life,
+but of a boy and girl confronted with some stern and very present
+problem. Connie's hands were clasped too tightly, there was a
+sense of strain in the poise of her head. Her companion's pose was
+one of perplexity and doubt.
+
+Win remembered what else he had heard of that rumored engagement,
+not much to be sure, save that strong pressure was being put upon
+the last of the Santo-Pontes in order to secure the estates and
+title of a great Roman house to the church of his ancestors.
+
+Presently Win realized that he had no right even to look on. He
+turned his face to the storm and again buried himself in his old
+volume.
+
+A long time later he heard his name and Constance strolled alone
+through the arch from the other room. She looked pale and tired
+but otherwise composed.
+
+"I didn't know you were here, Win," she said as she came to his
+chosen window.
+
+"I've been stuck in this book for ages. Miss Connie, I've found
+the most interesting thing ever."
+
+"What is it?" Connie inquired listlessly, wondering, but not
+particularly caring whether Win knew of her interview with Louis
+di Santo-Ponte. She looked sweet and wistful as she stood leaning
+against the window seat, her mind down in the town where the boat
+for St. Malo was getting up steam. "Tell me about it, Win," she
+added, recalling her wandering thoughts. She liked Win as she
+liked most young people.
+
+"Come and see," said Win, replacing his history in its case.
+Connie accompanied him to the fireplace in the main room.
+
+"Did you ever look at that book?" he inquired, indicating the worn
+old Psalter.
+
+"There are several thousand books here that I never looked at,"
+said Connie promptly. "Max is the one who browses in this part of
+the library. Ah, he's been here lately, reading his horrid old
+German philosophers." With an air of disgust she pointed to the
+blue-bound modern volumes.
+
+"What is this book that interests you so much!" she went on,
+taking It from the shelf. "Oh, an old copy of the Psalms. Look at
+its odd type."
+
+"It isn't the book that interests me," said Win, "but this paper.
+I found it accidentally. Do read it, Miss Connie, and see what you
+make of it."
+
+After her first perusal, Constance grew as excited as Win. With
+the deliberate purpose of putting her troubles from her mind, she
+concentrated her attention on this discovery.
+
+"The prince of course refers to Charles, because it is an
+historical fact that he took refuge in Jersey," began Win.
+
+"Yes, and there's the legend that he was entertained here at the
+Manor," exclaimed Connie. "Why Dad will be crazy about this, for
+it proves that story!"
+
+"I hoped he'd be pleased," said Win happily.
+
+"Oh, he will!" replied Connie. "Charles was just a boy, only
+sixteen, at the time he fled from England."
+
+"Ever since I saw two letters in the British Museum, Charles the
+Second has seemed a very real person to me," said Win smiling. "Do
+you know them, Miss Connie? One is from Queen Henrietta Maria to
+Prince Charles, expressing great regret that the prince has
+refused to take the 'physick' prescribed for him, and hoping that
+he will consent to do so on the following day, for if he didn't
+she should be obliged to come to him and she trusted he would not
+give her that 'paine.' She had also requested the Duke of
+Newcastle to report to her whether he took it or not and so she
+'rested.'
+
+"But what I liked best," Win went on, "was the letter Prince
+Charles wrote. He evidently didn't reply to his mother, but sent a
+note to the Duke of Newcastle in which he flatly refused to take
+the 'physick' and advised the Duke not to take any either!"
+
+Connie laughed. "That does seem a touch of real boy nature,
+doesn't it? But I'm afraid Prince Charles was rather a rotten
+young cub, not worth the affection expended on him nor the good
+lives laid down in his cause. The Richard Lisle who wrote this
+letter was my great-great--oh, I don't know how many times
+removed--grandfather! It's plain that Prince Charles came here to
+the Manor, was fed and provided with a change, and escorted to the
+castle, probably Orgueil. But what the 'relicks' are and what the
+'safe place,' I can't tell. Nor do I know what is meant by the
+Spanish chest. If there was anything of that description around
+the Manor I'd jolly well know it."
+
+"Would Colonel Lisle know?" asked Win eagerly.
+
+"I wonder, will he?" mused Connie after a pause spent in close
+scrutiny of the document. "We'll ask. Anyway, he'll be awfully
+interested because here it is in black and white that Prince
+Charles was brought to the Manor. Win, it's storming desperately
+and I'm bored to death. I'm going to send Pierre to St. Aubin's to
+tell your mother that you won't be back for luncheon. We'll show
+Dad your find and bring our united minds to bear on the problem."
+
+Win was sorely tempted. The walk through the storm had taxed his
+strength. Should he struggle back, the chances were that he would
+be too tired for any lessons after his arrival.
+
+"Your tutor won't matter, will he?" asked Connie. "You're not
+expected to be so regular as Roger."
+
+Wingate grinned. "I was thinking how angry Roger will be if he
+finds himself the sole object of Bill Fish's attention this
+afternoon. Thank you, Miss Connie. I want mightily to stay. I
+ought not to have come up here today when it was storming, but
+since I'm here the wisest thing is to wait for a time. And I'm
+wild to know what your father thinks of this paper. I will send a
+note to Mother if I may."
+
+"I'll write, too," said Constance, "and I shall tell her that
+we'll keep you all night if the rain continues. I need somebody to
+play with me, Win. I'm jolly glad you did brave the storm."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+ABOUT THE SPANISH CHEST
+
+
+Roger's state of mind at finding himself destined to be the sole
+object of Bill Fish's ministrations that afternoon was laughable.
+He vowed to Frances that he also would take French leave and
+bitterly denounced Win for absconding, declaring it a "put up
+job."
+
+"Perhaps Mr. Fisher won't come," consoled Frances. "The storm has
+really grown much worse since morning."
+
+"Indeed he will," said Roger darkly. "Fishes like water. I only
+hope he'll wipe his fins when he comes in. The last rainy day he
+dripped all over the room. I was 'most drowned before we finished.
+But it was mean and sneaky of Win to go up to the Manor this
+morning. He might have known that I wanted help with my
+arithmetic."
+
+"Perhaps I can help," offered Frances. Luncheon just over, the
+unwelcome Mr. Fisher was due in twenty minutes.
+
+"Oh, you may try," conceded Roger ungraciously. "But if Win stays
+up there all night, I'll pay him out."
+
+"Mother thinks from Miss Connie's note that they were doing
+something very interesting and she really wanted him," Fran said
+lazily, her face pressed against the pane. "How angry and gray the
+water looks."
+
+"I've a great mind to bunk," said Roger gloomily. "It's not fair
+for me to work alone all the afternoon."
+
+"Edith and I have been at school all the morning," said the peace-
+making Frances. "And Win does work when he can; he never really
+shirks, Roger."
+
+"He _likes_ to study," grumbled Roger. "I don't."
+
+"There are so many things you can do that Win can't," reminded his
+sister.
+
+"Don't preach," retorted Roger, but Fran's comment recalled to his
+mind the conversation with Max in the cave. Boy-like, Roger would
+not admit even to himself any repentance for his short-comings on
+that occasion, but the recollection served to smooth his present
+ruffled feelings. Win had worked alone with Bill Fish all that
+afternoon and Roger remembered most distinctly how Mr. Max looked
+when he said he was going back to Paris and waste no more time.
+
+"Win is having fun, I'm sure," said Fran at length. "Miss Connie
+promised Edith and me that we shall come up and sleep in the
+haunted room some night if we like."
+
+"What's it haunted by?" demanded Roger.
+
+"She wouldn't tell us. Says if we know, we'll be sure to see
+things. But she is going to have a bed put up for herself and come
+in with us, so I'm sure it's nothing very dreadful. I'm so glad we
+came to Jersey just so we could know Miss Connie."
+
+"Some girl," admitted Roger. "But she can't hold a candle to Mr.
+Max. He's a corker."
+
+"He is nice," Frances agreed. "But show me your arithmetic. And
+would you like me to sit in the room? Perhaps Mr. Fisher won't be
+so fierce if I am there."
+
+"I would not," was her brother's concise reply. "He isn't fierce
+either; he's merely flappy. I tell you he _is_ a fish. He looks
+exactly like one of those flatfish we catch down in Maine. Eyes
+both on one side."
+
+Nothing more unlike the tall, angular Scotch tutor could possibly
+have been mentioned, but Fran suppressed a laugh as she inspected
+Roger's problems in mathematics.
+
+"Me doing arithmetic!" he groaned. "And Win having the time of his
+life at the Manor!"
+
+If not exactly experiencing such bliss, Win was thoroughly
+enjoying himself. After luncheon in the charming old Manor dining-
+room with a cheerful fire dispelling all gloom caused by the rain
+on the windows, the three adjourned to Colonel Lisle's study,
+where Win placed upon the table his discovery. The Colonel read it
+with great interest.
+
+"Well, that is a valuable document, Win," he admitted. "It is
+evidently a page from a letter that Richard Lisle, fourth, wrote
+to some one and never sent. I am the ninth Richard, so you see how
+far back that was. Of course it refers to the Prince of Wales,
+afterwards Charles II of England. It is a curious fact in the
+history of the Channel Islands that Guernsey sided with the
+Parliament in its dispute with the king, while Jersey remained
+royalist to the core. I am under great obligations to you for
+discovering this paper, for it proves beyond doubt the legend that
+I have always wished to see substantiated, that Prince Charles
+came to Laurel Manor."
+
+"Don't you make out, Daddy, that they gave him other clothes and
+took him to the castle?" asked his daughter.
+
+"Without doubt. Orgueil, or possibly Castle Elizabeth. I believe
+that the consensus of opinion now favors Elizabeth as having been
+the prince's refuge."
+
+"What do you make of the rest of it, sir?" asked Win, who was
+still beaming with happiness over the Colonel's appreciation. "It
+says in so many words that they put something in a chest and hid
+it until the trouble was over."
+
+"That much is plain," replied his host thoughtfully. The paper was
+spread upon his desk and the young people sat on either side.
+Win's attention was distracted for a moment by his view of the
+Colonel's distinguished face, the face of an high-bred English
+gentleman. With all the impetuosity of his American birth and
+training, Win felt the charm of this gentleman of other race and
+another generation. He admired the Colonel's complete repose, his
+courteous ways and softly modulated voice. They were not in the
+least effeminate and the empty sleeve and the little bronze
+Victoria cross bore witness that the Colonel was a very gallant
+officer.
+
+"I think," began Constance, "that Great-great-grandfather Dick and
+his 'Sonne' put the prince's clothes and perhaps some other things
+in a chest and hid them. Dad, did you ever know of anything
+answering to the description of 'ye Spanish chest'?"
+
+The Colonel thoughtfully smoothed his gray mustache. "There is the
+box that came from the Armada," he remarked. "But that cannot be
+the one referred to, since that belonged to your mother, my dear,
+and comes from her side of the house."
+
+"Mummy was Irish," Connie explained to Win. "I'll show you that
+box. It really was washed up on the coast of Ireland and has been
+in her family for centuries. No, of course, it couldn't be that."
+
+"A Spanish chest does not necessarily mean a relic of the Armada,"
+went on the Colonel. "There might possibly be a box of Spanish
+workmanship, but I know of none in the Manor to which that
+description could be applied. That big black oak chest in the
+upper hall is English. The one in my room is Flemish."
+
+"Oh, those are both too big, anyway," declared Constance. "Even
+men in a hurry wouldn't take a box as big as those to pack a suit
+of clothes in. No, it was something that could be easily carried
+and concealed. It takes four servants to move those great arks."
+
+"Then, if there isn't anything in the Manor that answers the
+description, don't you believe the chest and the things in it are
+still hidden?" Win asked rather shyly, but with keen interest.
+
+The Colonel smiled kindly. "Sorry to quench your enthusiasm, Win,"
+he said, "but I doubt it. Prince Charles landed in Jersey in 1646
+if my memory serves. Subtract that date from this year of our
+Lord. I'm afraid that chest, whatever it was, has long since
+emerged from its hiding-place. According to the document here, it
+was concealed only till 'happier times should dawne.' Prince
+Charlie came to his own again, you remember. This Richard Lisle
+died somewhere where about 1675. He lived to see the Restoration,
+so surely he or his son brought to light again the things that
+there was no longer reason to conceal."
+
+"But, Daddy," said Constance quickly, noticing the look of
+disappointment on Win's expressive face. "People forget. Let's
+think of all the possibilities. It says some place outside the
+walls. And they needed a lantern."
+
+"There is the cave, daughter, at the edge of the Manor estates,
+but you know all about that. Why, I know that cave myself, I was
+going to say, every grain of sand in it."
+
+"That's true," admitted Connie. "And of course in all the
+centuries, numbers of people have been there."
+
+"Considering the brisk trade in smuggling that was done in Jersey
+during the 1700's, I think the chances of finding anything in the
+Manor cave are very small," agreed her father. "There is one
+thing, though, we might look at."
+
+As he spoke, he rose and produced his keys. Swinging back a
+portrait on hinges, he disclosed a small safe built into the wall.
+Win was silent through interest in this novel way of concealing a
+strong-box, but Constance jumped up.
+
+"What are you looking for. Daddy? Oh, the plans of the Manor."
+
+"You see," said the Colonel to Win as he sat clown again, a
+discolored roll of papers in his hand, "the original Manor house
+has been added to from time to time. Let us see what it comprised
+in the days when Richard Lisle read his Psalter and wrote his
+letter. It is possible that something then outside the wall may
+now be inside the house."
+
+"There's a number of queer things about this old place," said
+Connie, sharing Win's look of expectation. "Max and I have run a
+good many of them to earth, but there may be something yet.
+Certainly we never stumbled on any Spanish chest."
+
+The two young people helped the Colonel spread the plans and
+arrange paper-weights to keep them flat.
+
+"This comprises not only the house itself but the grounds," he
+began. "They run as you see to the cliffs of the bay. The cave is
+there."
+
+"I never knew that," said Win. "Is it large?"
+
+"Nothing like Plémont or even La Grecq," Constance replied. "Those
+are the show caves of Jersey. There are many as big as ours. It's
+a rather rough walk, Win, and the cave is accessible only at low
+tide. I did say something about it once to Edith and Frances, but
+they didn't understand, and after they were caught by the tide, I
+thought it would be better for them not to know of it. You see one
+can get shut in till the next low water. There's no danger because
+the vault is so high that the tide doesn't fill it. In fact, Max
+deliberately stopped there once."
+
+"Was he shut in?" asked Win.
+
+"No," said the Colonel smiling. "He was annoyed with me and took
+that method of expressing his displeasure. I fancy he was a trifle
+surprised that no fuss was made over his exploit. You see, I knew
+he was perfectly safe. Connie, I think that path is possible for
+Win some day when the weather and tide both serve. Well, this is
+the extent of the original house. It includes this wing where we
+are and the main portion. These shaded partitions show distinctly
+where later additions have been made."
+
+"What is this tiny dotted line across the grounds?" Win inquired.
+
+"That? It is a footpath toward the shore and the gardener's
+cottage. I should say that the present path curves more, but that
+is its direction in general."
+
+Win was puzzled by this explanation. Why should only one of the
+Manor paths be marked? That it was the sole one existing at the
+time the plans were drawn seemed scarcely possible.
+
+"That 'safe place,' if it was outside the walls in those days
+would probably have been somewhere underground," commented Connie,
+after the map had been exhaustively discussed. "That might mean
+that it is now in the cellars somewhere. Dad, have we your
+permission to explore all the subterranean caverns?"
+
+"If there are any that you haven't already investigated," said the
+amused Colonel. "I didn't suppose there was a square inch of the
+place that you and Max hadn't by heart."
+
+"I thought so, too," said Constance, "but if Win's theories are
+correct, there must be something we have overlooked. What do you
+say about an exploration, Win?"
+
+"Oh, I should like nothing better," said Win eagerly. "It will be
+great sport to hunt for that chest. And it's so interesting to
+look around a house that has been in the same family for
+centuries."
+
+"There has been a Richard Lisle of Laurel Manor for over four
+hundred years," said the Colonel rather sadly. "I am the last of a
+long line."
+
+"The only solution," said Constance quickly, "is for your unworthy
+daughter to marry some perfectly insignificant person, who will as
+a part of the marriage contract, take the name of Lisle."
+
+"The man who marries my daughter," replied the Colonel with gentle
+dignity, "will have an honorable and, I trust, an honored name of
+his own to offer her."
+
+"Else he will never get her," commented Connie with charming
+impertinence. "Daddy dear, if I could find a man one half as nice
+as you are, I'd marry him on the spot! Win, we'll arrange to head
+an exploring expedition. It's too cold and spooky in the cellars
+to do it this afternoon. We'll plan for a time when Roger and the
+girls can share the sport. I wish Max was here, too. He would
+simply dote on it"
+
+"I wish he was!" sighed Win. "I was dreadfully disappointed when I
+heard he had gone. I think he's about right."
+
+A sudden very charming smile broke over Connie's face. Up to that
+time, it had been rather serious. "If we don't solve the problem
+before the Easter holidays," she said, "Max will be keen on
+running it down. I hope he can come then. He took so long at
+Christmas that I'm afraid they'll dock him at Easter, and I shall
+be completely desolated if that happens."
+
+"I think he will come," said the Colonel. "In fact he told me he
+might be able to get away for an occasional week-end. With a fast
+car it is not so far to Granville or even St. Malo and he need
+waste no time waiting for the steamer."
+
+Constance suddenly sat up straight. "Max mustn't neglect his
+duties," she declared. "Either he has a very indulgent chief or he
+is hedging."
+
+Her attitude was so comically severe that Win laughed, and her
+father looked up with a smile.
+
+"I can't be responsible for what Max tells his chief," he
+remarked, "but I know enough about the diplomatic service to feel
+sure he is giving satisfaction."
+
+Constance still looked stern. "It's all right, of course, if he
+really earns his week-end," she conceded, "but I won't have him
+shirking. In October he was so serious and quiet that I didn't
+know what to think of him, but at Christmas he was the same dear
+boy he used to be. Didn't you think he was just like his old
+self?"
+
+The Colonel thus appealed to, returned her smile. "There were
+moments," he gravely replied, "when I doubted whether either one
+of you was more than sixteen."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+IN THE VAULTS
+
+
+When Win finally appeared at Rose Villa, driven down in a closed
+carriage, the tale he related was of sufficient interest to banish
+from even Roger's mind the resentment he considered but just,
+after his long afternoon with Mr. Fisher. Those hours had been
+profitable, did Roger only choose to admit the fact, for the tutor
+had managed to galvanize into life the dry bones of an epoch in
+history. Roger would not acknowledge it even to himself, but on
+that stormy day he came rather near liking Bill Fish.
+
+"That's a most exciting discovery, Win," said Mrs. Thayne when the
+tale was concluded. "But I'm afraid I agree with Colonel Lisle
+that the chances of finding anything are small, though you will
+have fun exploring. It is very kind of the Colonel and Miss Connie
+to permit such a troop to invade the Manor."
+
+"I think they are just as interested themselves," Win replied.
+"The Colonel was immensely pleased to have that legend confirmed."
+
+Mrs. Thayne looked at him rather wistfully, wondering how much of
+the interest displayed by the Manor family was due to sympathy
+with Win. No doubt they liked him, for people always did. Well,
+she was glad that this unusual experience was coming his way.
+
+"I'm crazy to see that cave!" Frances was saying. "Don't you
+remember, Edith, when we first met Miss Connie on the beach, she
+said something about looking for caves? I suppose she was thinking
+of this one."
+
+"I've been in it," Roger suddenly announced. "Mr. Max took me.
+It's a very decent cave but there's only one place where a box
+could be hidden, on a sort of ledge above the water. We climbed up
+and if there had been so much as a snitch of a chest about, it
+couldn't have escaped us."
+
+"You've been _in_ the cave?" demanded Frances, pouncing upon him.
+"When did Mr. Max take you? Where were the rest of us? Why didn't
+you tell us?"
+
+Roger looked uncomfortable. He had never mentioned that
+expedition, not even to his mother during a very serious
+conversation on the sin of truancy.
+
+"Oh, I met him on the cliff," he said evasively. "He showed me the
+cave and we went swimming. He is a corking swimmer."
+
+"But why didn't you tell us about it?" persisted Frances.
+
+Roger saw no way out. Being a truthful individual he blurted forth
+the facts.
+
+"Because Mr. Max told me not to. He said it wasn't safe and he was
+afraid you girls would go fooling around and get caught by the
+tide. It isn't a fit place for girls, either!" he added largely.
+
+"It is!" retorted the exasperated Frances. "If it wasn't, Miss
+Connie wouldn't have been there."
+
+"I'd wager that Miss Connie did everything Mr. Max did," chuckled
+Win. "But the Colonel said to-day that the cave was out of the
+question so far as any hidden chest was concerned,--that it
+couldn't have escaped discovery all these years. I don't really
+expect to find anything, Mother, but it will be great fun to look.
+I've always wanted to search for hidden treasure, you know. And
+Miss Connie seemed as interested as I was. She has appointed next
+Wednesday afternoon to explore the vaults. We are all to come at
+three and stay for tea afterwards. At first she suggested that we
+have it in the cellars, said it would be nice and cobwebby and
+befitting a treasure hunt, but then she remembered that Yvonne was
+afraid of spiders and wouldn't fancy taking the tea things down,"
+he ended with a laugh.
+
+Win was tired that evening and went upstairs early. When Roger
+clattered into the adjoining room half an hour later, his brother
+called.
+
+"Oh, you, Roger," he said, "come in here a jiff."
+
+With a terrific yawn, Roger appeared in the doorway. Win was in
+bed, a lighted lamp on a table by his pillow.
+
+"Could I get down to that cave?" he asked.
+
+"You could get down," Roger remarked judicially. "It's rather
+steep but there's only one bad rock. Still," he added, "if you
+waited till the tide was even lower, yon could walk round that.
+When we came back from our swim, that bit of cliff was out of
+water. It would be some tug crawling up, but you could take it
+easy."
+
+"I'd give a good deal to get down there," said Win thoughtfully.
+"How was it inside? Much climbing? Any place where a box could be
+tucked out of sight?"
+
+Roger proceeded to describe the interior of the cave, arousing
+Win's interest still more.
+
+"I don't suppose there's hide nor hair of that chest around," he
+admitted, "but all the same, I want to take a look. The tide is
+full every morning now and it will be the end of the week before
+we can get down. As soon as we can, I wish you'd do the pilot
+act."
+
+"Oh, I'll show you," assented Roger, again yawning prodigiously.
+"I don't take any special stock in this hidden chest, but the cave
+is fine and I'll like to take a whack at the Manor cellars. Are
+you going to burn that lamp all night?"
+
+"I am going to read for a while," said his brother, taking a book
+from under his pillows. "Shut the door into your room if it annoys
+you."
+
+"It doesn't," answered Roger. "I can see to undress by it better
+than with my candle. Ridiculous to have only candles in bedrooms!
+Mother would give me Hail Columbia if I read in bed the way you
+do."
+
+Win suppressed a sigh. "Mother knows I read only when I can't
+sleep," he said shortly. "You may not believe it, but I'd much
+rather sleep."
+
+Wednesday afternoon found an expectant quartette walking up the
+Manor road, slowly because Win paused occasionally to regain
+breath, but there were so many lovely things to look at that no
+delay seemed irksome. To begin with were fascinating cottages with
+neat little box-edged gardens and straw-thatched roofs; curious
+evergreen trees with stiff jointed branches known locally as
+monkey-puzzles; there were pretty children, some of whom waved
+hands of recognition; there were skylarks singing in the blue
+above, their happy notes falling like musical rain; there were big
+black and white magpies and black choughs, rooks and corbies, now
+known to the young people by their English names. And always there
+were glimpses of the ever-changing, changeless sea.
+
+Roger, who had gradually forged ahead, remained leaning over a low
+cottage wall until the others came up. In the yard sat a woman
+milking one of the pretty, soft-eyed Jersey cows, but what held
+Roger's fascinated attention was her milk-pail.
+
+Instead of the ordinary tin receptacle familiar to Roger during
+country summers, she had an enormous copper can with a fat round
+body, rather small top and handle at one side like a bloated milk-
+jug. Over the top was tied loosely a piece of coarse cloth and on
+this rested a clean sea shell. Streams of milk directed into the
+shell slowly overflowed its edges to strain through the cloth and
+subside gently into the can.
+
+"That's something of a milk pail," observed Roger approvingly.
+
+"It's just like the hot-water jugs Annette brings in the morning,"
+said Frances, "only ten times bigger. Wouldn't it be lovely for
+goldenrod and asters? I'm going to ask Mother to buy one."
+
+"Pretty sight you'll be walking up the dock at Boston with that on
+your arm," jeered Roger. "It will never go in any trunk and you'll
+have to carry it everywhere you go. You needn't ask me to lug it,
+either."
+
+"It can be crated and sent that way," said Frances calmly.
+
+"Those hot-water jugs make me tired," Roger went on as they
+continued their walk. "I'm sick to death of having a quart of
+lukewarm water in a watering-pot dumped at my door every morning.
+Think of the hot water we have at home, gallons and gallons of it,
+steaming, day or night!"
+
+Edith looked politely incredulous. "How can that be?" she asked.
+"Do you keep coals on the kitchen fire all night?"
+
+"Coals!" snorted Roger. "All we have to do is to turn a faucet and
+that lights a heater and the water runs hot as long as you leave
+it turned on. No quart pots for us!"
+
+"But surely," said Edith, "only very wealthy people can have
+luxuries like that."
+
+"We're not made of money but we have it," retorted Roger. "Even
+workmen have hot-water heaters in their houses."
+
+From Edith's face it was plain that she frankly didn't believe him
+and Win tried to make matters better.
+
+"You see, Edith," he explained, "it is much more difficult in the
+United States to get satisfactory servants and so we have all
+sorts of clever mechanical devices that make it easier to manage
+with fewer maids."
+
+Edith's brow cleared. "Oh, I see," she said. "I thought there must
+be some reason. Of course, if we needed them, we would have such
+arrangements in England."
+
+"England," declared Roger bluntly, "in ways of living is about two
+hundred years behind the United States!"
+
+"Roger!" exclaimed the shocked Frances.
+
+"Cut it out!" ordered Win.
+
+"It's true, anyway," retorted the annoyed Roger, "and there's
+another thing. We licked England for keeps in the Revolutionary
+War!"
+
+"Only because you were English yourselves!" flashed Edith before
+Roger's scandalized family could remind him of his forgotten
+manners.
+
+This retort disconcerted Roger and delighted Win.
+
+"You've hit the nail on the head, Edith," he declared approvingly.
+"England could never have been beaten except by her own sons. And
+England's navy has always ruled the seas."
+
+"How about Dewey wiping out the Spanish fleet at Manila?" demanded
+Roger still huffily,
+
+"That reminds me," said Win coolly. "I believe it was an English
+admiral who backed Dewey up at Manila when the Germans tried to
+butt in. After that battle somebody wrote a poem about it and
+wrote the truth, too. This is what he said:
+
+  "'Ye may trade by land, ye may fight by land,
+    Ye may hold the land in fee;
+    But go not down to the sea in ships
+    To battle with the free;
+    For England and America
+    Will keep and hold the sea!'"
+
+As Win concluded, Edith's high color lessened and Roger looked
+less pugnacious. Presently, each stole a sly glance at the other,
+both were caught in the act and simultaneously laughed. So the
+party reached the Manor without disruption by the way.
+
+Constance, with a soft green sweater over her frock, came to meet
+them.
+
+"All ready for the fray? Leave your hats in the hall. You will
+need your woollies for we are going where sunlight never comes.
+There's good store of candles and two lanterns. Anything else
+needed, Win?"
+
+"A hammer perhaps," suggested Win. "We may want to sound walls."
+
+"A hammer there shall be," and Constance rang the bell to order
+it. "Dad says he will come down if we make any startling
+discovery, but being an elderly person, he's a bit shy of damp."
+
+Provided with lights and the hammer, the gay party started, filing
+through a kitchen so fascinating with its red-bricked floor and
+shining copper cooking utensils that Fran found it hard to pass.
+Several maids and a jolly cook smiled on them as they vanished
+down the cellar stairs.
+
+"I suppose you want to see the oldest part of the Manor vaults,"
+Connie said to Win as she led the way with a candle in a brass
+reflector. "We shall come back through here."
+
+To Edith and Frances it seemed that they traversed numberless dark
+rooms, dry but chilly, some stored with vegetables and barrels,
+while others were empty or showed dusky apparitions of old lumber.
+Constance stopped at last.
+
+"We are under the library now, Win. This is the original cellar
+and you can see how much rougher the workmanship is than in the
+newer parts."
+
+Walls were rough and floor uneven, indeed, a part of it was
+composed of an outlying ledge of the Jersey granite. Obedient to
+suggestion, Roger and the girls began to inspect the walls for
+traces of some former exit; Roger by himself, the girls, rather
+fearfully, together. Win stood looking at the ledge in the floor.
+
+"That settles there being any hiding-place underneath," he
+remarked.
+
+"Yes," said Connie, "but the paper said 'beyond the walls,' you
+know. So wouldn't it more likely be in one of the cellars not
+built at that time?"
+
+"Well, probably," assented Win. "But I was looking at the way this
+rock runs." He produced a pocket-compass. "It's much thicker at
+this end and the direction is approximately north and south. What
+is to the east, Miss Connie?"
+
+"Nothing at all. That wall is still the outer one."
+
+"And the wall farthest from the water?" asked Win quickly.
+
+Constance nodded.
+
+"Then it is the western wall I want," said Win, turning toward it.
+
+Somewhat mystified, Connie watched him make a minute examination,
+tapping with the hammer on its entire length.
+
+"I suspect that it's frightfully thick," she said as he stopped,
+looking disappointed.
+
+"What is on the other side?" he inquired. "Is this whole partition
+now included in the house?"
+
+Constance led the way to the opposite side of the wall. There lay
+a large apartment, dimly lighted, but of better workmanship and
+finish. Win went immediately to the eastern side of this cellar
+and bestowed upon the partition stones the same minute inspection.
+
+"This wall must really be several feet through," he observed to
+the watching Constance.
+
+"Probably. But I don't see, Win, what you are trying to get at."
+
+"I hardly know myself, Miss Connie. It's just an idea I had. This
+would have been the wall nearest the cave. You see I'm not used to
+having a cave as a sort of household annex, so I can't help
+thinking it may figure yet in this business."
+
+Connie shook her head. "Perhaps it did once," she said. "Only that
+cave is more or less common property; many people know of it. We
+can be sure of one thing; that nothing will be found in it now.
+How about this floor?"
+
+Win left the wall to inspect by aid of his lantern the huge,
+roughly-squared blocks forming the cellar floor. Damp, dark and
+numerous they showed under the light.
+
+"It's possible that any one might conceal some cavity," said
+Connie. "But that one would surely differ in some way from the
+others. Let us spread out and inspect them. Anybody who finds a
+flag in any way peculiar, speak."
+
+Constance herself began to peer at the stone flooring, not at all
+because she expected to find anything in the least unusual, but
+because she did not want disappointment to fall upon Win too
+quickly. If he really searched thoroughly, he would be better
+satisfied to acknowledge the quest as useless.
+
+Among the many scenes those centuries-old walls had looked upon,
+it is a question whether they had witnessed so gay a sight as the
+five young people, wandering slowly up and down the uneven floor,
+looking for some stone raised higher or sunken lower than the
+others, more carefully fitted; perhaps, though this could scarcely
+be hoped, provided with an iron ring for a handle.
+
+Nothing happened. No two of the many flags were alike, yet none
+seemed of sufficient distinction to mark it as worth further
+investigation. All looked as though they had never been moved.
+
+The other and more recent cellars received scanty attention. Of
+lesser age, they were also cleaner, drier and better lighted.
+
+"Our adventure seems fruitless" sighed Connie as they stood at
+last among bins and bottles near the kitchen stairs. "Why, where
+is Win?"
+
+Both Frances and Roger started back, ashamed to have forgotten him
+if only for a moment. Suppose poor Win had had one of his attacks
+alone back there in that shadow-filled vault!
+
+Win was found in the original cellar of the old Manor, not pacing
+the floor or tapping the stones, but meditatively staring at one
+of its walls, not the one he had devoted so much attention to, but
+the northern boundary.
+
+"What luck?" asked Connie as they came in, relieved at sight of
+him.
+
+"None," said Win, turning to her with curiously bright eyes. "But,
+Miss Connie, do you think your father would show me those plans
+again!"
+
+"Why, of course he will. Has some idea struck you?"
+
+"I don't quite know," said Win. "But I should like to see the
+plans and perhaps some other day, you'll let me come down here
+again for a few moments."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+THE HAUNTED ROOM
+
+
+"There is a letter for you, Miss Edith," said Nurse as the girls
+came in from school, the next Saturday. "It is for Miss Frances,
+too."
+
+"For us both?" exclaimed Frances. "Where from?"
+
+"Pierre brought it from the Manor," replied Nurse.
+
+"I can't get over there being no telephones in the houses here,"
+remarked Frances, snatching off her hat. "Imagine having to send a
+man with a note instead of just taking down a receiver and
+talking. Not to have telephones is so very English."
+
+"The English don't hold much with new inventions, Miss," Nurse
+agreed. "What was good enough for those before us does us very
+well."
+
+"I know it!" sighed Fran, "but think of the _convenience_ of a
+telephone."
+
+Edith was holding a dainty square note bearing the inscription:
+
+  "Miss Edith Pearce,
+   Miss Thayne,
+   Rose Villa.
+   À la main de Pierre."
+
+"From Miss Connie, of course," said Edith delightedly. Each took a
+corner of the enclosed card and with several little squeals of
+amused pleasure, Frances read it aloud.
+
+  "Miss Lisle presents her compliments to Miss Pearce and Miss
+   Thayne and requests them to grant her the favor of attending
+   a meeting of the Society for the Suppression of Ghosts to be
+   held in the haunted room of Laurel Manor this evening at ten.
+
+   Notes:
+
+  Dinner 7:30.
+  Beds provided at 9:45 (Ghost _not_ guaranteed to appear).
+  Very best nighties because of looking pretty for spooks.
+  Breakfast any old hour."
+
+Screaming with delight, Edith ran to find Estelle, Frances for her
+mother.
+
+"But I don't know that I want you to sleep in a room that has the
+reputation of being haunted, Edith," protested Estelle. "Will Mrs.
+Thayne permit Frances to go?"
+
+"Oh, Sister, there's some joke about it," pleaded Edith. "There
+must be, because Miss Connie always laughs whenever the ghost is
+mentioned. And would her father let her sleep in that room if it
+was anything to frighten people? Oh, Star, it will be such fun!"
+
+Up-stairs, Frances was besieging her amused mother. Two minutes
+later, the girls met in the hall, dancing with glee, for each
+might go were the other permitted.
+
+"Dinner at the Manor, too!" sighed Frances. "What bliss!"
+
+Neither Estelle nor Mrs. Thayne had much peace from then until it
+was time to start. Finally the hour arrived and the family
+assembled in the hall to see them off, Win interested and Roger
+openly envious. "I'd like a chance at that ghost just once," he
+vowed. "I'd settle him."
+
+"Perhaps later, Miss Connie will invite you boys," said Edith.
+"Why, here's Pierre. Oh, he's come for our bags."
+
+To have a servant sent for their light luggage again struck
+Frances as most charmingly English, and two very happy girls waved
+farewell to Rose Villa as they turned out of the terrace.
+
+In the great hall of the Manor, Constance greeted them,
+ceremoniously enough, but with mysterious smiles and twinkles. In
+person she conducted them to a pretty guest-room near her own
+apartments.
+
+"We won't invade the ghost's domain until time for bed," she
+announced gayly. "You'll find a bath adjoining and would you like
+Paget to do your hair or fasten your dinner frocks?"
+
+"We will help each other," said Edith, as full of twinkles as
+Connie herself.
+
+"Then I will dress and come for you in about half an hour."
+
+"Isn't Miss Connie the dearest thing!" said Edith enthusiastically
+as the door closed. "I never saw anybody just like her before."
+
+"Mother thinks her charming," replied Frances, brushing her curly
+hair. "Edith, do you suppose we shall ever know the truth about
+that story of the Italian prince?"
+
+"It doesn't seem as though it were true," observed Edith. "Or at
+least, as though she cared very much if she had to break her
+engagement, for she is always so gay and happy."
+
+The face that was looking just then from the mirror in Connie's
+room did not precisely correspond to these adjectives, but the
+young mistress of the Manor was the daughter of a brave soldier
+and the descendant of a long line of gallant gentlemen. Those slow
+weeks since Christmas that Constance crowded with gayety were
+bringing gradual healing. The heart under the fluffy frock she
+slipped on to-night was not so heavy as the one under the white
+gown worn that day when she stood by Win in the Manor library and
+watched the boat for St. Malo leave the harbor.
+
+Frances and Edith were ready when she came for them, also prettily
+dressed in white.
+
+"Nice little English flappers," Constance remarked approvingly.
+"Why, what is the matter with Frances?"
+
+"I don't know what a flapper is," confessed Frances, sure however,
+that it could be nothing very dreadful.
+
+Constance laughed and patted the brown cheek. "Merely a jolly
+little English school girl with her hair down her back. Yours is
+tidily braided but Edith looks the typical flapper."
+
+She took a hand of each and three abreast they went down to the
+hall where Colonel Lisle was standing in a soldierly attitude
+before the fire. He greeted them with charming courtesy, offered
+Fran his arm and conducted her to the dining-room.
+
+Both girls were supremely happy, Edith quietly so, Frances fairly
+radiating enjoyment in the stately room with its fine old
+portraits and windows open to admit the sweet odors of myrtle and
+daffodils.
+
+"Don't think the Island winters are all as mild as this," the
+Colonel was saying as Yvonne removed the soup plates. "I have seen
+both snow and hail in Jersey and sometimes we have extremely cold
+weather. But you were asking, Frances, why French is the official
+language here. The Channel Islands came to the English crown with
+William the Conqueror, and have always remained one of the crown
+properties. So while the islanders are English they have French
+blood in their veins and each island has retained its peculiar
+historic customs, the official use of French being one. When
+Normandy was regained by France, the islands remained with England
+and though Jersey was frequently attacked and sometimes invaded by
+the French they never held more than a portion of it temporarily.
+Indeed, so much was a Norman or French invasion feared, that the
+islanders inserted in the Litany an additional petition: 'From the
+fury of the Normans, good Lord, deliver us!'"
+
+"We have seen the tablet in the Royal Square, marking the spot
+where Major Pierson fell in the battle of Jersey," said Edith, who
+shared Win's liking for history.
+
+"Ah, in 1781. That was the last French invasion. Speaking of the
+Royal Square," the Colonel went on, "there is a curious custom
+connected with the Royal Court there, that might interest you. Any
+person with a grievance relating to property has a right to come
+into a session of the court and call aloud upon Rollo the Dane.
+The Cohue Royale,--the Court,--_must_ listen and _must_ heed. That
+is a very ancient relic of Norman rule in the Island. Oh, no, it
+is seldom resorted to. One does not lightly call Prince Rollo to
+one's aid. That is the final appeal when all other justice fails."
+
+Yvonne, who was waiting upon the table, reappeared from a brief
+absence with a beaming face.
+
+"It is Monsieur Max who arrives," she said confidentially to
+Constance.
+
+"Max!" exclaimed Connie. "Why, how nice! Sha'n't he come directly,
+Dad? Tell him not to dress, Yvonne."
+
+"By all means, tell him to come as he is," said the Colonel, his
+face lighting with pleasure at this news.
+
+"Pardon, m'sieur," said Yvonne. "Monsieur Max already hastens to
+his room and says the dinner shall not delay, that he shall be
+fast,--ver' queeck."
+
+"Max can be fast," said Constance smiling. "Well, we will dawdle
+over our fish. I never thought of his coming," she went on,
+watching Yvonne as she deftly laid another place beside Frances.
+"This must be one of the week-ends he promised. I wonder why he
+didn't warn us?"
+
+"I suppose there was no time to do so," said the Colonel. "Max
+knows he is welcome at any hour."
+
+Max was "queeck." The fish was only just finished when he came
+quietly into the room, dressed for dinner and looking not in the
+least as though he had recently stepped from a steamer. Edith and
+Frances watched eagerly. If they were still in deep ignorance
+concerning Miss Connie's Italian prince, this was surely their
+chance to discover how matters stood between their adored little
+lady and Mr. Max.
+
+Disappointment awaited them, for nothing could have been more
+commonplace than the greeting exchanged. Even the fancy of
+fourteen years could not construe Constance's "Hello, old boy!"
+and Max's nonchalantly offered hand into the slightest foundation
+for a romance. So far as outward appearances went Max was much
+more affectionate towards the Colonel, who did not disguise his
+marked pleasure at seeing him.
+
+With gay words for both girls, the newcomer slid into his seat.
+"I'm as hungry as a hunter, Connie," he announced. "Soup, Yvonne?
+Anything and everything that's going. Oh, it was rather a rough
+crossing, but it merely gave me an appetite. Where are the boys?
+Couldn't they come to this exclusive dinner? Or am I butting in
+myself?"
+
+"You are," replied Constance mischievously, "but for Dad's sake,
+we will forgive you. The boys are not here for the simple reason
+that they were not invited. Having fortified ourselves with strong
+meat, the girls and I are going to brave the Manor ghost to-
+night."
+
+Darkness had fallen and with it a sense of the eerie over Fran.
+She was distinctly relieved to hear Max laugh at this announcement.
+
+"Do you really want to see the ghost?" he asked, turning to her.
+
+"Crazy to," was Fran's prompt reply. "I wouldn't dare stay alone
+in that room, but with Miss Connie and Edith, I sha'n't be afraid.
+Indeed, I want dreadfully to see the ghost."
+
+"You know yourself, Max, that it doesn't materialize every time it
+is invoked," began Constance.
+
+"I know it," said Max. "I only wanted to ascertain how keen the
+spook-hunters are. I slept in that room once for two weeks when
+the house was full and became much attached to his ghost-ship."
+
+"So I told the girls," replied Constance with equal gravity.
+
+Edith and Frances were looking at each other in puzzled
+bewilderment but Max suddenly changed the subject. His eye had
+fallen upon Grayfur, the big cat that had purred himself into the
+room in the shelter of Yvonne's skirts.
+
+"Hello, old chap!" he said, snapping his fingers. "Do you like
+cats, Frances?"
+
+"No," confessed Frances. "I love dogs. Edith is the one who likes
+pussies. She is always bringing stray kittens home."
+
+For some reason this statement seemed to amuse Max. To the
+surprise of the girls, he and Constance exchanged a smile.
+
+Ten o'clock struck before Edith and Frances found themselves,
+after a happy evening, again in the pretty guest-room.
+
+"Miss Connie, I am afraid you weren't ready to come up," said
+thoughtful Edith. "Didn't you want to stop longer with your father
+and Mr. Max?"
+
+"Max doesn't leave until Tuesday morning," Constance replied. "Dad
+will love to have him all to himself for a good talk and smoke,
+and if Max has anything especial to say to me, there will be
+plenty of opportunities. I'm quite glad to come up."
+
+When she came for them, the girls were ready and the little
+procession started, three kimonoed figures each bearing a lighted
+candle along the echoing halls to the haunted room above the
+library. Electricity had not trailed its illuminating coils above
+the first floor of the house so the big apartment looked spooky
+and shadowy enough, the candles placed on the mantel, quite lost
+in immense distances. Three white cots stood side by side in its
+centre.
+
+"First, we will fasten the door securely," said Constance, suiting
+the action to the word. "Then we will take this electric torch and
+look about a bit."
+
+Careful inspection showed the room undoubtedly tenantless, the
+handsome old-fashioned furniture offering no hiding-place for any
+intruder. Like the library below, its walls were of paneled oak,
+with three large portraits set into the wood-work. One, a Lisle of
+Queen Elizabeth's time, looked down benignly, attired in doublet
+and ruff.
+
+"Miss Connie, how shall we know what to look for or expect?" asked
+Frances when the three were settled in their beds, lights out and
+the room illuminated only by the moon.
+
+"It wouldn't be wise to tell you," said Constance mysteriously.
+"All I'll say is that it is nothing at all disturbing or
+frightful. The few people who have seen or heard anything never
+knew at the time that it was a ghost."
+
+"But you will tell us in the morning?" asked Edith.
+
+"Yes," replied their hostess. "I will tell you then, whether you
+see anything or not, and very likely you will not. But if you want
+to have the creeps and would truly enjoy them, I'll tell you
+something that really happened to me once in Italy."
+
+"Oh, do, do!" begged both girls in unison. "That would be simply
+perfect," added Edith, sitting up in bed, her fair hair floating
+about her shoulders and turning her more than ever into the
+likeness of an angel.
+
+"Some years ago, when I was about your age," began Constance
+slowly, "Dad and Mother and I were traveling in southern Italy,
+and Max was with us. He was with us a great deal, you know. We
+stopped one night at an old hotel that had once been a monastery,
+though it was different from the usual monasteries because it was
+a place where sick monks came to be cured and to rest.
+
+"The location was wonderful, on a cliff overlooking the sea and
+though the place had been altered for the purposes of a hotel, it
+was still a good bit churchly. The partitions between the cells
+had been knocked out and additions built, but the hotel dining-
+room was the old refectory with stone walls and floor, and the
+wonderful garden was much as the monks left it. Such roses you
+never saw and such climbing vines and flowering trees. Oh, there's
+no place like Italy!"
+
+Constance stopped. The moonlight falling across her bed touched
+her face into almost unearthly beauty.
+
+"We had connecting rooms that night," she went on. "Dad and Mother
+took the corner one with two beds. Next was a tiny room where I
+was to sleep and Max's was beyond mine. All were originally cells
+opening on a terrace, covered with roses and passion-flowers and
+looking down to the sea, which was shining with little silver
+ripples.
+
+"We'd had an especially happy day and I was so keyed up with
+enjoyment that I couldn't go to sleep right away, but lay looking
+out at the flowers and the waves. Mother went through to see that
+Max was all right and then came back to kiss me. She closed the
+door into his room, but left open the one from mine into hers.
+
+"I remember hearing Mother and Dad laugh a little about something
+and I suppose I went to sleep, because I woke very suddenly with a
+start, all awake in a minute."
+
+Connie paused, this being the proper moment for a thrill. "What do
+you think I saw?" she asked impressively.
+
+"Oh, I can't imagine!" gasped Frances, shivering in delighted
+anticipation. "Do go on!"
+
+"Have you chills down your spine!" laughed Constance. "In the
+moonlight right beside my bed, I saw a monk, dressed in white, the
+usual robe of the Dominicans. He had a wise, kind face, with a
+pleasant expression, and as I looked at him, he took my wrist very
+gently, and put his finger on my pulse."
+
+"Oh-h!" said Edith, pulling the covers about her more tightly.
+"Oh, Miss Connie, what did you do?"
+
+"That frightened me," said Connie. "Up to that time, I noticed
+only his pleasant, gentle look, but it seemed as though a bit of
+ice touched me and I gave a scream that brought Mother and Dad up
+standing. Of course, when they came hurrying in, nobody was
+visible. I made a big fuss, presumably because I wanted to be
+petted and coddled.
+
+"I told them about the monk and Dad at once thought that Max had
+been playing a joke on me. He stepped into Max's room, intending
+to be severe, but Max was sound asleep and besides, the door into
+his room squeaked so that he couldn't possibly have opened it
+without waking us all.
+
+"Then they said I had the nightmare. Perhaps I did," said
+Constance with a smile, "but I can see yet the kindly face of that
+old monk. I didn't want to stay in my room, so Dad told me to go
+in with Mother and he'd take my bed. We all settled ourselves
+again.
+
+"I was asleep or nearly so, feeling so comfy and safe in my bed
+close to Mother's when suddenly she sat up straight and said
+'Richard!' in such an odd, startled tone. I woke and heard poor
+Dad piling out of bed again to come into our room. Mother sat
+there looking very troubled and holding one wrist in the other
+hand. She didn't say anything more,--neither of them did,--but I
+knew perfectly well that the old monk had been feeling her pulse."
+
+"And what happened in the morning?" demanded Frances breathlessly.
+
+"Nothing at all," said Constance cheerfully. "In the morning
+everything was beautiful and lovely as in no other country but
+Italy. Mother and I merely agreed that we had an odd dream. We did
+not stay a second night, for we were on our way back to Rome."
+
+"Did you ever hear anything more about the monk?" asked Edith.
+
+"Years after," said Connie dreamily, "we met some Americans in
+Switzerland who told us of a similar experience in this hotel.
+Later, I learned that Dad found out at the time that the place was
+reputed to be haunted by an old monk physician who turns up at
+intervals and feels people's pulses, and is often seen pottering
+about the garden in broad daylight. Monks are such a common sight
+in Italy that the hotel guests stop and converse with him,
+thinking him a gardener and never suspecting that he is a ghost."
+
+"But the Manor ghost isn't like that?" asked Edith, who wanted
+reassurance.
+
+"Not a bit," said Constance. "As for that, there was nothing so
+very frightful or repellent about the monk. Don't you think we
+should go to sleep now and give his spookship his innings?"
+
+The girls agreed and silence fell over the big room with its three
+white beds. Outside the open casements a vine waved within Fran's
+line of vision, tapping gently against a window pane.
+
+Presently a slight sound caught Fran's wakeful ear, as of steps on
+a somewhat unfamiliar stair where it was necessary to grope one's
+way. Touching Edith's shoulder, she sat up in bed. They had
+entered the haunted room by a door now locked, opening on a big
+stone staircase; these steps seemed upon muffled wood.
+
+Next moment there came a sudden convulsive sneeze that sounded in
+her very ear. Frances gasped but Constance sat up laughing.
+
+"No fair!" she exclaimed.
+
+For a second there was absolute silence, then somebody laughed,
+extremely close at hand, though yet behind a partition. The laugh
+was followed by the soft sound of retreating footsteps.
+
+"What happened, Miss Connie?" begged Edith.
+
+"No ghost," said their hostess merrily. "I had forgotten. That was
+clever of Max."
+
+Silence again followed for a period, succeeded by the sound of
+music in the garden below the windows, soft and very sweet.
+
+"Oh, is _that_ the ghost?" demanded Frances in great excitement.
+
+"Your mother will bless me for letting you stop awake all night,"
+said Constance. She sat up, wrapped a white robe about her and
+stuck her feet into slippers. Upon the music came the sudden
+unearthly miaow of a cat.
+
+The noise sounded directly in the room and all three girls jumped.
+Constance laughed again.
+
+"I might have known Max did not come into that passage for
+nothing," she sighed. "Where's that electric torch?"
+
+Having turned on the flash-light, Connie approached the large oil
+painting set into one side of the gloomy room, its base about a
+foot above the floor. She touched a knob on its frame and the
+portrait became a door opening outward and revealing a narrow,
+dusty winding stair descending to the floor below. On its top step
+sat the big cat, just opening its mouth for another howl.
+
+"Come in, Grayfur," said Constance. "Max brought you, didn't he?
+If he hadn't sneezed and given himself away, he'd have opened the
+door a crack and let you in."
+
+"Is it a secret stair?" asked Frances, her eyes big with
+excitement. "Where does it go? Wouldn't Roger be crazy over it?"
+
+"We will let him go up it," answered Connie, swinging the portrait
+into place again. "The passage comes out below in the library. Max
+thought he would provide one ghost anyway."
+
+Putting the cat into the hall, she locked the door again and then
+stuck her pretty head from the window.
+
+"Max," she said severely, addressing the unseen musician, "you are
+spoiling your fiddle and breaking your promise. You said you
+wouldn't be silly. Go to bed now like a good boy."
+
+The fiddle responded with two ear-splitting squawks.
+
+"Stop it!" commanded Constance. "There goes a string and it serves
+you quite right. You'll have the bobbies coming to investigate if
+you don't leave off."
+
+The unappreciated serenader appeared squelched by this threat, for
+complete silence followed.
+
+"Nothing more is at all likely to happen tonight," said Constance,
+coming back to bed. "And I hope Max will go properly to his room.
+Now go to sleep, girlies, and in the morning, I'll tell you how
+the Manor ghost disports itself."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+THE MANOR GHOST
+
+
+In spite of a firm intention to remain awake, Frances soon fell
+into quiet slumber and knew nothing more until the next morning.
+February dawns in England are dark, but when she finally opened
+her eyes, the room was faintly lighted by the coming sun and her
+watch told her that it was after eight.
+
+Edith still seemed asleep, but from the bed at the left, Connie
+smiled back at her. For some reason known only to herself, their
+gay little hostess had decreed that Frances should take the centre
+bed.
+
+"Awake?" she whispered. "How's Edith? Is she still off?"
+
+As though she heard her name, Edith stirred, turned over and
+finally rose on one elbow.
+
+"Did you sleep well?" asked Constance. "We needn't get up unless
+you like. When we are ready, Yvonne is to bring us breakfast in my
+sitting-room. We'll wash and put on boudoir caps and eat _en
+negligée_."
+
+At this delightful programme both girls became wide awake in an
+instant.
+
+"And you will tell us about the ghost?" asked Frances.
+
+"I will," replied Constance, sitting up and gathering her pretty
+kimono about her, a lovely white Japanese crepe embroidered in
+gold with fire-eating dragons of appalling size. One stretched
+across the front as she fastened the folds. The girls also rose
+and put on their dressing-gowns. Unlocking the door, Constance
+looked into the hall.
+
+"I'll just see that the coast is clear before the procession
+forms," she remarked. "Daddy's rooms are down-stairs but Max's is
+on our way. I'm quite sure though that he and Dad are already out,
+for Dad likes to attend early service and Max has probably gone
+with him like a dutiful young man."
+
+As the three started, Edith turned to glance searchingly around.
+
+"What are you looking for?" asked Frances.
+
+"For the pussy," replied Edith, hurrying to overtake them. "I
+thought there was one in the room."
+
+"Miss Connie put it out," said Frances, laughing. "Wake up,
+Edith!"
+
+As Edith spoke, Constance stopped to look at her rather oddly,
+then went on quickly.
+
+"When you are ready, come to my sitting-room," she said on
+reaching their door. "It is at the end of this hall."
+
+When the girls appeared ten minutes later, Constance was yet
+invisible. In the sitting-room a table stood before a couch piled
+with pillows, and two cushioned chairs opened luxurious arms.
+
+"Isn't this the dearest room," said Frances appreciatively as she
+settled herself. "I suppose this is Miss Connie's own especial
+place where no one comes without an invitation."
+
+In some respects the room was very unlike the sanctum of the
+average girl. While not lacking in the daintiness bestowed by
+fresh flowers, gay chintz and white draperies, it contained a
+number of objects not often seen in a boudoir. On a teakwood stand
+in one corner, against the background of a valuable Oriental rug
+in shimmering greens and blues, sat a curious Indian idol.
+Constance's desk might once have been used by some Italian
+princess in the days of Dante, and above it hung a beautiful
+silver lamp that could well cause envy in the breast of Aladdin.
+Pictures and ornaments alike spoke of wanderings in distant lands
+and from their unusual individuality indicated a wide range of
+interest in their possessor.
+
+The door into the adjoining bedroom opened and Constance came out
+attired in a lounging-robe that made both girls gasp with
+admiration.
+
+"Oh, Miss Connie," Frances exclaimed, "what a beautiful kimono.
+And what color is it?"
+
+"Guess," said Constance merrily. "For a long time I didn't know
+myself what to call it."
+
+"It isn't blue nor gray," said Edith admiringly.
+
+"Nor green nor violet," added Frances reflectively, "and yet it is
+all of them. I've seen something like it but I can't think what."
+
+"I suppose only an Oriental artist could conceive such a
+combination," said Constance, ringing the bell for Yvonne and then
+curling into a little heap on the couch. "Dad brought it to me
+from Paris and I keep it for very special occasions. I couldn't
+make out what color it was but I loved it the minute I opened the
+box and I knew you girls would. I've thought very seriously of
+having it made into an evening coat, for it is too lovely to be
+used only in my room. But about its color. One day this Christmas
+vacation I was feeling a bit poorly, so I had tea up here and let
+Dad and Max come. I slipped on this robe to receive them in state
+and the minute Max saw it, he told me what it was like. The thing
+is in plain sight."
+
+The girls glanced about the room. Edith's eyes lingered for a
+second on a brass bowl full of blue hyacinths, but passed on.
+
+"I have it!" exclaimed Frances, noticing a slight inclination of
+Connie's fair head toward the open casement. "It's the color of
+the ocean!"
+
+"Right!" said Constance. "The moment Max said so, I knew it. He
+did it very prettily, too, with some remark about the 'lady from
+the sea.' The silk really does change and shade as the water under
+storm and sun."
+
+There came a tap and Yvonne, bearing a most tempting tray, entered
+with a smiling "_Bon jour, mes demoiselles._" Fruit, a fat little
+chocolate pot sending forth a delicious odor, and flanked by
+delicate china and shining silver, whipped cream, marshmallows,
+French rolls, sweet unsalted butter and raspberry jam, made the
+girls feel hungry at the mere sight. Dainty green and white
+snowdrops, tucked here and there by Yvonne's artistic fingers
+added the final touch.
+
+"I think this is the greatest fun," said Frances. "Do you always
+have your breakfast this way?"
+
+"Bless you, no," replied Constance. "This is an occasional Sunday
+morning indulgence. Every other day of the week, I am up, dressed
+and in my right mind to breakfast with my Dad. He'd think the
+world was coming down about his ears if his Connie wasn't there to
+pour his coffee. I warned him that we were going to have a debauch
+this morning and he won't care anyway, because he has Max. What
+did you mean, Edith, about a cat? Did you dream of Grayfur?"
+
+"Why, no, it wasn't Grayfur," said Edith, dropping a marshmallow
+into her chocolate and watching it dissolve. "I thought Mr. Max
+succeeded in carrying out his joke. He must have come back much
+later and put another pussy in from behind the portrait. I woke
+some time in the night, oh, hours after, because the moonlight was
+'way across the room, and sitting in it, washing its face, was the
+prettiest little half-grown kitten. It was a perfect beauty, white
+with a plumy tail. I spoke to it very softly so as not to wake
+either of you, and it looked at me and purred but would not come.
+I watched it chase its tail for a little and then it jumped in a
+big chair and curled itself up to sleep. I suppose it must have
+gone out when the door was opened this morning. May we see it
+again, Miss Connie? It was much prettier than Grayfur. But do tell
+us now about the ghost. We are in such a hurry to hear."
+
+"You know practically all there is to know," said Constance
+whimsically.
+
+Both girls stared at her. "What do you mean!" asked Edith. "Is it
+a joke? Isn't there any ghost?"
+
+"You know better than I do," replied Constance, tasting her
+chocolate critically. "Did you have sugar, Frances? Why, you've
+seen the ghost, Edith, which is more than I can say."
+
+Edith's face was a picture of surprise. "_Seen_ it!" she repeated.
+"Why, I saw nothing at all."
+
+"I told you, didn't I, that the people who saw the ghost never
+knew it at the time? This is the legend. About a century ago, the
+Richard Lisle, then owner of the Manor, married a very charming
+young wife. He was madly in love with her and was inclined to be
+rather jealous. The story runs that he couldn't bear to have her
+lavish affection on anything but him, was jealous of her dog and
+her horse and even of her flower-garden. Winifred Lisle had a
+very pretty white Persian kitten--"
+
+Constance stopped, for Edith's spoon fell with a clatter. "You
+don't mean that darling purry little pussy was the _ghost!"_ she
+exclaimed.
+
+
+"Listen to the story," Constance went on smiling. "Dick Lisle
+objected to even this wee kit since it took some of his Winifred's
+time and attention and he gave orders that it was never to be
+admitted to the room where they spent the evening, presumably the
+library. The kitten disappeared and Winifred mourned for it.
+Months later, its little corpse was found on the secret stairs
+behind the portrait."
+
+"Then Mr. Max didn't put a cat into the room?" asked Frances
+eagerly.
+
+"I think not, unless he took the trouble to bring a white kitten
+with him from Paris. Max is quite capable of doing it for a joke,
+but he could not know, you see, that we were planning to sleep in
+that room last night. And there is no white kitten about the
+Manor."
+
+"Isn't that the oddest story!" said Edith in deep interest. "Why,
+Miss Connie, I'm as sure as I am of anything that I saw that pussy
+playing in the moonlight. It was the sweetest little thing and I
+did wish it would come and cuddle by me in bed. Is it really a
+ghost? How do you account for it?"
+
+"I don't account for it," said Constance. "You can consider it a
+pretty dream if you wish. I never saw it and I have a fancy that
+it is because I am not fond of cats. When Frances said she did not
+like them, I knew that she would not see the little ghost kit
+either, and so I wanted you to take the bed nearest the
+moonlight."
+
+"That's the most interesting thing that ever happened to me," said
+Edith. "I'm so glad I saw it."
+
+"Whether it is imagination or dream, I rather like to think of the
+kitten ghost playing so gayly with its tail on moonlight nights,"
+said Connie. "No, only three or four people have seen it. The room
+is not often used, and like Edith, they supposed it a kitten that
+had somehow got in. Well, is the Manor ghost satisfactory?"
+
+"I think it's the dearest thing I ever heard of," said Edith
+happily. "But do you suppose that Winifred's husband shut it in
+there deliberately?"
+
+"We'll give him the benefit of the doubt. Cats are always poking
+about in odd places. The door in the library may have been open a
+crack and the kit gone in to investigate. Once I accidentally shut
+a kitten into a drawer in the linen closet. Luckily Paget happened
+to open it within an hour and she was surprised enough to find a
+pussy there. Now for the rest of the morning. I heard Frances say
+that she wanted to hear a church service in French just to see
+whether she could follow. If you like, I'll get Max to take us
+into town and we will find a French church to attend."
+
+"That would be lovely," declared Fran enthusiastically. "I really
+believe I could understand quite a little now."
+
+"Thank you, Miss Connie," said Edith. "I'm afraid I ought to go
+home. Fran can stay just as well as not, but Sister depends upon
+me to go to church with her. I always do, you know."
+
+Edith colored and looked uncomfortable, feeling that perhaps she
+was being ungracious.
+
+"You're a good little sister," said Constance quickly. "And you
+would not care so much as Frances because you have always spoken
+French. I imagine Dad will go to St. Aubin's and he'll take you
+home. I'll make Max go with us."
+
+Max was perfectly willing to play escort, but looked dubious when
+Constance declared her intention of stopping at a tiny French
+church just inside the town of St. Helier's. "Have you ever been
+here?" he demanded.
+
+"No," admitted Constance. "Of course we might go to the Convent of
+St. André. I forgot, though, they wouldn't let you in. Frances
+only wants to hear a sermon in French and this will answer very
+well."
+
+Max still looked disapproving. "You won't like it," he said. "It's
+a queer, non-conformist sect of some kind. There's a place the
+other side of town where they have the Church of England service
+in French. Let's go there."
+
+"Why not stop here?" persisted Constance. "More exciting when one
+doesn't know what's coming next."
+
+"One may get more than one bargains for," commented Max. "Connie,
+I have a premonition that we'll land in some mess."
+
+Connie made a delightful little face. "Come in," she said to
+Frances. "I was under the impression that we invited Max to escort
+_us._"
+
+When Frances returned home from church, she was distressed to find
+Win in bed.
+
+"He overdid yesterday," said Mrs. Thayne in reply to her anxious
+questioning. "I can't discover exactly what happened, but he and
+Roger were out together and Win walked too far. That's all he will
+admit. No, he isn't as badly off as sometimes, and says he only
+needs a rest. Come up in his room, Fran, to tell your adventures."
+
+To Fran's eyes Win looked decidedly ill when she saw him lying
+against his pillows, but he evaded all inquiries and demanded to
+know about the Manor ghost.
+
+"That wasn't the end of our experiences," Frances went on
+laughing, when the events of the night had been thoroughly
+discussed. "We had a funny time in that little church. Mr. Max
+didn't want to go there in the beginning, but Miss Connie
+insisted. Inside, it didn't look much like a church for it was a
+great bare room, with not many people present. The usher made us
+sit rather far front, so we had a good view of the minister, who
+was a little man with black hair that stood straight up, and his
+manner was very excited.
+
+"The service seemed unusual for different people kept getting up
+and talking. I couldn't understand much and Mr. Max looked annoyed
+and Miss Connie amused. Finally a boy about my age began to speak.
+He wore the oddest vest and trousers of rose-pink sateen plaided
+with purple. We could see distinctly because the minister made him
+come out in front and face the people. Well, the clothes he had on
+were enough to make any one smile, but when he finished speaking,
+the minister bounced out of the pulpit and kissed him on both
+cheeks! He did, honest!" Fran insisted in answer to Roger's
+whistle of incredulity.
+
+"I don't know what would have happened next, for the service was
+really very strange, but when the minister kissed that boy, Mr.
+Max gave a little grunt and took up his hat. I was sitting between
+them, and he leaned forward and said in such a disgusted tone, 'My
+word, Connie, _will_ you come?'
+
+"I think Miss Connie was trying not to laugh but I guess she'd had
+enough herself for she rose and we went out very quietly so as not
+to disturb anybody.
+
+"When we reached the street," Frances went on, "Mr. Max was so
+funny. He didn't say a word, only stalked along looking quite
+cross. Miss Connie sat down on a wall and laughed till she cried.
+Then she told Mr. Max to smile and show his dimple. But he
+wouldn't. I don't see how he could help it when she was so pretty
+and sweet. Well, after she laughed some more, she begged him
+please to look affectionate.
+
+"At that he couldn't help smiling, and then he asked Miss Connie
+if she was ever going to stop getting herself and him into
+scrapes. She called him 'old boy' and said she was sorry,--she
+wasn't really," Fran interpolated with a wise nod,--"and promised
+to stick to the Church of England service ever after. Mr. Max
+inquired how much I understood and when I told him only a little,
+he said it was lucky. That was certainly a very peculiar church,"
+Frances ended reflectively. "I'm quite sure that Mr. Max wanted to
+come out long before we did, and that Miss Connie persisted in
+staying just to tease him."
+
+Win was smiling over his sister's story, but though he evinced
+interest both in the Manor ghost and in the amusing experience
+Connie had furnished with her little French church, the point that
+most impressed him was Max's presence at the Manor.
+
+"I wish I could see him," he observed. "I want so much to ask a
+question or two. Did Miss Connie tell him about the paper I found
+and how we explored the vaults and sounded the walls?"
+
+"She did," assented Frances. "We talked about it after dinner. Mr.
+Max was as interested as could be and said he was going down
+himself to take a look."
+
+"Mother," said Win suddenly. "I really need to see him. Don't you
+believe he'd come in for a minute if he knew I was used up so I
+couldn't get to the Manor?"
+
+"Indeed, I do," assented Mrs. Thayne. "Write a note, dear. Roger
+shall take it for you."
+
+Roger, who for some reason haunted his brother's room in a subdued
+mood not at all common to his usual attitude toward life, was very
+willing to act as messenger. Toward night, Max appeared at Rose
+Villa.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+THE DOTTED LINE
+
+
+"Sorry you are laid by, old man," Max said cheerfully as he was
+shown into Win's room. "Better luck soon."
+
+"It's good of you to come," replied Win, grasping the hand so
+cordially offered and relieved to see that the pleasant young face
+bore no expression of the sympathetic pity Win so often read in
+older countenances.
+
+"Well, my being here is as much of a surprise to me as to any
+one," said Max, sitting down by the bed. "On Friday I expected to
+spend my Sunday in Paris. But it chanced that I successfully
+engineered a rather ticklish job for the Embassy, and the Chief
+was pleased. As a figurative pat upon the head he gave me the
+week-end off. You should have seen the way my car went to
+Granville! Jean drove till we were clear of Paris and then I took
+the wheel and things began to hum. From the tail of my eye I could
+see Jean devoutly crossing himself whenever we hit the earth, but
+we made the boat and didn't so much as run down a hen. I did
+wonder that we weren't held up anywhere for exceeding the speed
+limit, but the mystery was explained when we reached the Granville
+pier."
+
+Max stopped with a mischievous laugh. "The Embassy has several
+official machines," he explained, "and of course they are so
+marked they are easily recognizable. I always use my own car, and
+am authorized to sport the Embassy insignia when on official
+business. I forgot to remove it before starting and that was why
+not a single gendarme did more than salute as we tore past. Good
+joke, so long as it ended well, but if we'd come a cropper on the
+way, there'd have been rather a row and Max would have stood for
+an official wigging, to say the least. Lucky for us that nothing
+went wrong. What's done you up, old fellow?"
+
+Win looked at him wistfully. "Just exploring the Manor cave," he
+said with a sigh. "I did so want to see it, and I made Roger take
+me. I managed to get down all right, but it took over an hour to
+climb the cliff. The kid is wild because he thinks he's half-
+killed me."
+
+"Oh, say, that's a shame," said Max. "I wish I'd known that you
+wanted to go. Pierre and I could have rigged a rope somehow and
+helped you get back."
+
+Win's face just then was pitiful. Max's eyes grew very gentle but
+he did not utter one word of sympathy. "I've been led a lively
+pace since I reached the Manor," he went on. "Between Connie's
+ghost hunt and the extraordinary church she chose to attend this
+morning and your discovery in the library, my existence hasn't
+lacked variety. Gay Paris is quiet beside this! But there's
+nothing in the world I'm so keen on as hidden treasure. I'm pretty
+sure I have a special talent for hunting it down. To be sure the
+only time I ever tried, I made a giddy ass of myself and got into
+a jolly mess, but I wonder will I succeed with this. Connie thinks
+you've the tail of an idea. Can't you put me on?"
+
+"That was what I wanted to see you for," replied Win, his self-
+possession quite restored. "Please open the lower drawer of that
+desk. Right on top is a roll of tracing paper."
+
+"Why, this is a copy of the Manor plans," said Max, as he spread
+out the thin sheet.
+
+"Yes," said Win. "Colonel Lisle let me trace them. Tell me, does
+anything about them strike you as odd?"
+
+Max considered the plan carefully. "I can't say it does," he
+admitted after a minute survey. "Give me a lead."
+
+"That dotted line," said Win, pointing to it with Max's pencil,
+"according to Colonel Lisle, marks the path down to the cottages
+on the shore, only the path curves more now than it did when the
+plan was first made. Don't you think it strange that it was the
+_only_ path put on the plans? Even the state driveway isn't
+indicated."
+
+"That, I suppose, wasn't made then."
+
+"But surely," persisted Win, "there was some driveway to the main
+road. Why should this especial path be marked? It couldn't have
+been the most important, even at that time."
+
+"That does seem true," replied Max thoughtfully.
+
+[Illustration: WIN'S PLAN OF THE MANOR CELLARS.]
+
+"Now look at the point where the dotted line comes to the house,"
+Win went on, tracing its course as he spoke. "This is the very
+oldest vault of all, under the library, you know. On the plan, its
+northern wall is continued flush by the northern side of the
+addition made later, and this dotted line runs parallel to it,
+but--it runs _inside_ the foundations."
+
+"So it does," Max agreed. "But isn't that due to clumsy drawing?
+There's an axiom, you know, about it being impossible for two
+bodies to occupy the same space. Two lines couldn't occupy the
+same location on a plan."
+
+"Yes," said Win, "but if this is a _path_, what is it doing
+_inside_ the house?"
+
+There followed a second of silence and then Max gave a low
+whistle. "I'm on," he announced. "Clever reasoning, Win."
+
+"There's another thing, too," said Win, lying flushed and pleased
+against his pillows. "I spent a lot of time on that dividing
+partition wall. I'm sure there is no space in it unless it is so
+thick that even a hollow place wouldn't sound any different. But
+after I looked again at the plans, I saw that what I should have
+put my time on wasn't that wall at all, but the northern one,
+indicated here as parallel to the dotted line. Mr. Max, I'm quite
+certain that the old original cellar extends farther to the north
+than this newer part. I mean that the north wall of the new cellar
+isn't on a line with the old one, not in reality, though here it
+is intended to look so."
+
+"You mean," said Max, bringing intelligent brows to bear on this
+explanation, "that this was an underground passage rather than a
+surface path and that its northern side is the one flush with the
+original cellar?"
+
+"That's exactly it," said Win. "I think there is a passage running
+along outside that northern wall down to the cave and the beach.
+There seems a space on the plan that isn't accounted for in any
+other way, and that explains why this dotted line runs inside the
+foundations."
+
+"But, old chap," said Max kindly, "I know that cave from top to
+bottom. Truly there is no exit. I've spent hours in exploring the
+place."
+
+"But when I was on the ledge at the back, there was a draught of
+fresh warm air from somewhere," Win pleaded. "And Roger said he
+noticed it when you took him there. Behind the ledge is a big pile
+of stones and rubble. Couldn't that air get in somehow?"
+
+"It must, since you felt it," agreed Max sensibly. "If I can
+possibly manage it, I'll make an investigation. But I am booked to
+sail on Tuesday morning. It may have to stand over until the
+Easter holidays. I will take a squint at the cellar though this
+very evening. Did you sound that north wall?"
+
+"No, I didn't," Win admitted. "I spent all my time on the west
+one. Not until I studied the plans again, did it fully dawn on me
+that perhaps that line was a passage instead of a path. If that is
+true, it is the other wall that will bear investigation."
+
+Max still surveyed the plans, his fine young face intent on this
+problem. He glanced up to meet a very wistful look from Win.
+
+"On the whole, let's wait until Easter," he suggested. "Then
+you'll be feeling more fit and can come down in the vaults with
+me."
+
+"I wish you'd inspect that wall," Win replied. "If you find it
+does sound hollow, will Colonel Lisle let us punch a hole?"
+
+"Sure," said Max encouragingly. "I know jolly well he will. Uncle
+Dick will be game for any investigation. Only he'll have to be
+convinced that I'm not pulling his leg. If that north wall
+resounds like a tomb, I'll tow Uncle down to hark for himself.
+Why, man, we're getting on swimmingly! That was a mighty clever
+idea of yours about the dotted line. Connie'll be keen on it too,
+and anyway she owes me one after getting me into such a beastly
+mess as she did to-day. I didn't even use unkind language about it
+either. If the sea is decent tomorrow, I'll trot her down to the
+cave to see where your fresh air comes from."
+
+"Perhaps it can be felt only when the wind is from a certain
+direction," observed Win.
+
+"That's more than likely. Yesterday it was south, wasn't it? Very
+probably it takes a south wind to strike in there. I'm afraid we
+can't hope for that to-morrow because there seems a storm brewing,
+on purpose probably to give me a rough trip on Tuesday."
+
+"Weren't you glad of the chance to come?" asked Win.
+
+"I was," said Max expressively, "not only because I always like to
+get back to the Manor, but because I was pleased with myself to
+think I'd scored with this especial bit of work, a job of
+smoothing down an elderly ass who was inclined to be a trifle
+footy. You see when I decided to go in for the diplomatic service,
+Dad told me that he would use his influence only to get me an
+appointment, a try-out. After that it was up to me; if I received
+promotion it would be because I earned it, not because I was his
+son. He makes me an allowance because one really couldn't manage
+on the salary of an attaché, but so far as my profession goes, I
+stand absolutely on my own merits. So Max is feeling proud of
+himself just now!" he added whimsically. "So's my Dad, if my
+telegram reached him."
+
+"He must be proud of you," said Win rather soberly. "I so much
+hope that Roger will condescend to go to Annapolis. You see I
+can't, and Dad would like one of us in the navy."
+
+"Roger will wake up to a sense of his privileges some day," said
+Max. "Do you know, Win, some of the finest work in the world has
+been done by the fellows who were handicapped. Prescott, for
+instance, writing all his histories, blind in one eye and
+sometimes half crazed by pain; Milton, too, dictating to his
+daughters, and Scott, producing so much when he was old and
+burdened with grief and trouble. And Stevenson, who was ill half
+his life."
+
+"But they were geniuses," said Win.
+
+"They were also too courageous in spirit to yield to
+circumstances. To come down to more ordinary people, I think Uncle
+Dick is mighty fine. He is crippled, useless for the work he
+expected to grow old in; he saw his only son die for England. You
+have seen enough of him to know what he is and what he means not
+only to Laurel Manor but to the Island. I respect and admire him
+tremendously and I shall owe much of whatever success I score, to
+him as well as to Dad. There are careers open to you, Win. You are
+clever and have a fine mind. Roger defers to your opinion. Through
+your influence, he may accomplish far more than he might alone."
+
+"I don't amount to very much with Roger. Still, I did make him
+square things with Fisher that day he played truant and went off
+with you," admitted Win with the ghost of a smile. "Mother only
+lectured him for bunking, but I persuaded him to apologize and to
+put in the next Wednesday doing the work he skipped."
+
+"Good for you!" said Max cordially. His gray eyes were very kind
+and friendly as he rose to leave.
+
+"I hope you'll feel more fit to-morrow," he said, shaking hands.
+"If I possibly can, I'll run in and make a report; if not, I'll
+drop a line when I get home to the lurid lights of Paris."
+
+"Shall you drive back with the Embassy insignia on your car?"
+inquired Win smiling. He looked much brighter and happier than
+before his visitor came.
+
+Max laughed. "I fancy not," he said as he gathered hat, gloves and
+riding-crop. "I'm rather anxious to be on my good behavior. No,
+I'll let Jean drive which will be prudently slow, and I'll
+meditate about your hidden chest and the dotted path and other
+things back at the Manor."
+
+"I believe Mr. Hamilton did you more good than the doctor,"
+declared Mrs. Thayne, entering Win's room after his caller had
+mounted Saracen and ridden away. "You look fifty per cent
+brighter."
+
+"He's a crackerjack," said Win briefly. "He's promised to do some
+investigating on his own account and I feel sure that he can
+induce Colonel Lisle to let us try an experiment if it is needed.
+But, Mother, there's something I've been meaning to tell you all
+day, not about the Spanish chest or anything to do with it. You
+know we spoke once of how Miss Estelle reminded us of some one at
+home. This morning instead of sending a servant with my breakfast,
+she brought it herself, and when she was arranging things, I
+remembered whom it is she looks like. It is your friend, Mrs.
+Aldrich."
+
+"Win, you're right," said Mrs. Thayne suddenly. "Estelle _is_ like
+Carrie Aldrich, and not in looks alone, but in manner. Now how can
+that possibly be? Of course it is only a chance resemblance but it
+must exist since you notice it, too. I wonder whether Fran ever
+carried out her intention of asking Edith whether they had any
+relatives in the United States. She spoke of doing so."
+
+"What good would that do, if Mrs. Aldrich is the person Estelle
+resembles?" asked Win. "Haven't you known her all her life?"
+
+"I met her at school," replied his mother, "when we both were
+young girls and then knew her intimately. Of later years, we have
+seen less of each other, though we have always kept up the
+friendship. There seems no possible connection between Carrie
+Aldrich and Estelle and the likeness must be only in our minds.
+They say, you know, that every person in the world has a double
+somewhere."
+
+"I'd like mighty well to be Mr. Max's double if I could only
+choose," muttered Win to himself.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+ROGER THE MAROONED
+
+
+No word came from the Manor the next day, only a big bunch of
+fragrant lilies for Win and some jelly of which Paget alone knew
+the secret recipe. Early Tuesday morning Max's prophesied storm
+arrived in earnest and the young people at Rose Villa saw the
+Granville boat leave her pier amid sheets of driving rain. Her
+decks looked dreary and deserted, for all the passengers were
+inside.
+
+"I suppose Mr. Max is on board for he was obliged to go," observed
+Frances, as the steamer disappeared in low-hanging banks of fog
+drifting continually nearer shore.
+
+"Yes," agreed Win, who was dressed and about, though still looking
+ill. "There will be some word when he gets back to Paris. It
+stormed so yesterday that he probably couldn't go into the cave as
+he planned."
+
+"Life seems very tame after all the interesting things that
+happened last week," sighed Frances, gathering her French grammar
+and other school books. "Rain or no rain, there will be school,
+and English rain seems somehow _wetter_ than American. You'd
+better eat that jelly, Win. According to Nurse, it is the elixir
+of life and warranted to cure every ill known to man."
+
+Win smiled as he watched his sister and Edith down the steps, and
+waved a listless hand as they turned inquiring faces under bobbing
+umbrellas at the end of the terrace. He looked enviously after
+Roger, a tall slim clothespin in black rubber coat and boots,
+sou'wester pulled firmly over his head, tramping sturdily toward
+the beach, evidently on some definite errand. Win would have liked
+mightily to be swinging along with him through the storm, but the
+fun of facing a tempest was not for Win.
+
+For a few moments he stood idly by the window, wondering whether
+Connie knew what Max had possibly discovered in his inspection of
+cave and vaults. Then he turned with a sigh, reminding himself
+that with the weather what it was, and in this land of few
+telephones, there was no chance of hearing anything from the
+Manor.
+
+Gradually the stormy morning passed, somewhat dully for Win, who
+still felt unfit to study or even to occupy himself with a book,
+and lay upon the couch while his mother read aloud.
+
+Frances returned from school, ravenously hungry and quite rosy
+with the rain that had beaten in her face.
+
+"Mother, I am nearly starved!" she announced.
+
+"Why, it is time for luncheon," said Mrs. Thayne, awakening to a
+realization of that fact. "But where is Roger? He can't have taken
+the whole morning just to deliver that message for Estelle."
+
+"He could easily, Mother," said Win. "Why, if I had a chance to
+get out in this storm, I feel sure it would take me forever to do
+the simplest errand. He'll come home when he's hungry."
+
+The gong for luncheon sounded and the three sat down to Annette's
+delicious scallops, daintily creamed in their own big shells, her
+French bread and perfect chocolate. Still Roger did not come.
+
+Nurse took the plates, and brought dessert; fruit, clotted cream
+with plum jam, and a special glass of egg-nog for Win.
+
+"Shall we put Mr. Roger's lunch to the fire?" she asked of Mrs.
+Thayne.
+
+"I don't see why he doesn't come. He can't have gone to the Manor
+and if he had, they would have sent word if he were staying. No,
+you needn't keep it warm, Nurse. Unless he has some very good
+excuse when he comes, he may lunch upon bread and milk. It's
+really very naughty of him to go off like this when he had lessons
+to learn."
+
+"It's queer where he can be," observed Fran. "He started on his
+errand just after Edith and I came out and saw Annette buying
+scallops of the fish-woman. He's crazy about them you know, and he
+asked particularly if they were for luncheon, and told her to be
+sure to get plenty."
+
+"Oh, I don't suppose anything has happened," said Mrs. Thayne
+quietly, for she did not wish Win to worry.
+
+When Roger was still missing half an hour later, Mrs. Thayne
+sought Estelle.
+
+"Whatever can have happened?" said Estelle helplessly. "I can't
+think. Did he have any money?"
+
+"Why, perhaps a few pence, not much anyway," replied Mrs. Thayne.
+"You think he went into St. Helier's and had to walk back? That's
+possible. Fran, it's not storming so hard now. Put on your rain-
+coat and run out to the end of the terrace. Perhaps with the
+field-glasses you can make out whether he is coming down the beach
+or is anywhere in sight."
+
+Frances returned with the report that there was practically no
+beach, owing to the high tide, and no foot-farers on the narrow
+strip that was visible in the fog.
+
+Neither Estelle nor Mrs. Thayne knew what was best to do. Estelle
+suggested the police and then the rector, but neither seemed to
+Mrs. Thayne likely to offer a solution.
+
+"We will wait a while," she said with an anxious glance at the
+clock just striking two. "Don't do or say anything to let Win
+think I am worried, Fran. Let me take your coat. I'll go down to
+the beach myself. I really think that Roger should be punished for
+causing us such anxiety."
+
+Had his mother only known, Roger was already enduring considerable
+self-inflicted penance for getting into a predicament which made
+it impossible for him to return.
+
+Delivering Estelle's message at a cottage by the shore had taken
+but a few moments and with most of the morning before him, Roger
+set out along the beach, glorying in the force of wind and rain.
+True, there were lessons to be prepared for Bill Fish, who would
+come cheerfully swimming in at the appointed hour, but there was
+surely time for a stroll toward Noirmont Point.
+
+The tide was far out and wet hard sand stretched in every
+direction, very pleasing to stamp over, and retaining little trace
+of any footprint. Only gray gulls and drifting fog banks
+distinguished the immediate surroundings.
+
+As Roger tramped on, he noticed that the fog grew steadily thicker
+and that his path included occasional seaweed-covered rocks, but
+not until a black mass loomed up before him, did he realize that
+he had left the true beach and was walking straight out to sea.
+The bulk he had encountered was not the martello tower on Noirmont
+Point but the old castle of St. Aubin's, at high tide an island in
+the bay.
+
+No thought of any danger in his position struck Roger. He had
+always intended to investigate that island but somehow had never
+yet done so. Here it lay before him.
+
+Climbing the rocks upon which the castle stands, he made a careful
+survey of its outside and finally gained access to the interior,
+much disappointed to find nothing at all remarkable, though St.
+Aubin's castle is not wholly a ruin and was once rented and
+occupied for a season by an eccentric Englishman.
+
+Nothing was now visible save swirling fog and for the first time,
+Roger realized what that fog meant. He hastily made his way to the
+little beach, where the tide, still out, would permit him to cross
+to the mainland. To start in the right direction was simple
+enough, for he very well knew which side of the castle faced the
+shore, but he had taken scarcely twenty steps down the sand when
+he saw that he had no certainty of keeping his bearings once the
+island was left behind.
+
+Roger was only twelve, but he was possessed of common-sense and
+self-reliance. Though the youngest of the family he had been so
+thoroughly impressed with the necessity of considering "safety
+first" in regard to Win, that in an emergency of any kind he was
+usually level-headed. He stopped where he was, searching his
+pockets for the compass Captain Thayne had given to each of his
+three children.
+
+Roger's pockets yielded a strange and varied assortment of
+objects, presumably of value, but no compass. He looked
+irresolutely behind where the castle was just visible as a darker
+spot in the fog. Nothing at all could be distinguished ahead.
+
+From the lighthouse on the point came the tolling of a bell, but
+its warning tones were so scattered and disguised by the fog, that
+its sound was of no use as a guide.
+
+For several moments Roger stood where he was. The distance to
+shore was not great if he was only certain of going straight
+ahead. To swerve from that direction meant wandering out to meet
+the cruel Jersey tide, presently coming in like a hunter on its
+prey. To remain where he was meant anxious hours for his mother
+and for Win, about whom Roger was already so much concerned.
+
+Having weighed the alternatives, he took five steps forward and
+stood absolutely surrounded by the whirling mist. A sort of horror
+came over him, a keen realization of his helplessness before one
+of the great elemental forces of nature. The risk was too great!
+There was a chance that he might keep in the right direction with
+nothing to guide him, but it was only a chance. Worried as his
+mother would doubtless be, better that she endure a few hours of
+anxiety than lasting grief.
+
+Turning squarely about, Roger retraced his footsteps, already
+faint, to the castle, where he perched forlornly on a high rock. A
+little later, he heard for he could not see, the low hiss and
+gurgle of the coming tide. Roger was a big, strong, brave boy, but
+at the sound, he could not suppress a few tears, and they were not
+wholly for his own plight.
+
+Mrs. Thayne returned from her fruitless expedition to the beach,
+looking still more distressed.
+
+"I can't imagine where Roger is," she said anxiously to Frances.
+"Of course, there may be some good excuse for this performance,
+but I don't see what it can be. He knows that he is not to go into
+town without permission and it seems as though he would have come
+home for luncheon unless he was in St. Helier's. If he really has
+been disobedient and played truant again into the bargain, I shall
+ask Mr. Fisher to punish him."
+
+"Oh, Mother," said Frances, "Roger wouldn't deliberately frighten
+us, especially when he's been so upset over Win."
+
+"But where _is_ he?" said Mrs. Thayne again. "Thank goodness!
+Here's Mr. Fisher."
+
+She hurried down to intercept the tutor at the door. Lingering at
+the head of the stair, Frances heard her name called from Win's
+room.
+
+"Is Mother dreadfully troubled?" he asked as she entered. "I think
+Roger went back to the cave and has been shut in."
+
+"Oh, I hope not," said Frances. "Mother's annoyed but it seems to
+me he must be all right. When he gets ready he will turn up with
+some wonderful tale of adventure."
+
+"I suspect he's in some scrape," said Win. "Might not be such a
+bad idea to appeal to the police after all. I only wish I wasn't
+such a helpless stick," he added rather bitterly.
+
+"Mr. Fisher has gone down to the beach," reported Frances from the
+window. "I'm glad he's come, for Mother will feel better to have
+him to consult."
+
+Both were silent for a moment, thinking of Roger, blunt, loyal,
+impulsive Roger, hoping that nothing serious had befallen him.
+
+Presently Mrs. Thayne came, her face expressing a calm she did not
+feel. "Mr. Fisher thinks there is no cause for us to worry," she
+remarked placidly. "He is going to take what he calls a 'turn
+about the town.' Frances, suppose you go on reading to Win while I
+sew a little."
+
+Frances took the book Win held out to her, and Mrs. Thayne's
+fingers twitched the needle through her embroidery, both ears
+alert for sound of returning steps. The clock struck three and
+then four. Nothing happened. Roger did not come and Mr. Fisher did
+not reappear.
+
+Over on St. Aubin's tiny island, Roger watched the water creep
+steadily up the rocks, up and up until it broke almost at the
+foundations of the castle. Cruel, cold, and gray it looked and
+hungry and chilly was the boy who watched. Once a gull flew so
+close that he could almost touch it as it vanished like a ghost
+into the fog.
+
+At intervals Roger inspected his watch, counting the moments till
+the tide should cease to make. At last the water stopped climbing
+the rocks, remained stationary, fell an inch. The next wave broke
+still farther below.
+
+But unless the fog should lift, ebb tide would only duplicate
+Roger's predicament of the morning. Toward four he saw that the
+mist was gradually growing lighter; saw water visible fifty feet
+from the island. Presently a breeze sprang into being, the most
+welcome wind Roger had ever known. Before it the fog thinned, grew
+filmy, dispersed in shreds of trailing vapor. Noirmont Point and
+St. Aubin's village came gradually into distinct view, and with
+them a man walking along the sand.
+
+Water ten feet deep and many wide still barred Roger from the
+shore and he could not make himself heard above the slow heave of
+the rollers lazily breaking on the beach. Was there no way to
+attract the saunterer's attention?
+
+Finding a long branch, relic of some storm-wrecked tree, Roger
+tied his handkerchief to it and waved vigorously. After a time,
+the man on the beach noticed the flag and stood looking toward it.
+
+A bright idea struck Roger. At home he had belonged to a troop of
+boy scouts and knew the signals. He would experiment on this
+stranger.
+
+Just by chance, Mr. Fisher at one time had been a scout-master and
+instantly realized that Roger, marooned on St. Aubin's island, was
+trying to send a message. Hastily improvising a flag, he
+responded.
+
+Twenty minutes later, Mrs. Thayne, still nervously sewing, heard
+Mr. Fisher run up the steps and Estelle hurry to the door. A few
+brief seconds sufficed to give the explanation Roger had so
+painstakingly signaled.
+
+"I didn't stop to rescue him, Mrs. Thayne," explained Mr. Fisher,
+"because his one thought was for you and Win, not to let you worry
+a moment longer."
+
+"Can't you get a boat and row out for him?" asked Estelle, seeing
+that Mrs. Thayne was unable to speak. "Poor dear boy, he must be
+cold and famished."
+
+"I'm off to Noirmont Point," replied Mr. Fisher briefly. "It
+shouldn't take long to pull over and back, provided that I pick up
+a boat quickly."
+
+In spite of the tutor's best efforts, darkness had fallen before
+the marooned prisoner was returned to his anxious family, who sat
+around to see him eat everything pressed upon him. Roger was pale
+and very subdued. Strangest of all, he had come up Noirmont
+Terrace pressed close to the side of the obnoxious Bill Fish and
+not in the least resenting the hand that rested on his shoulder.
+
+Having consumed all the food in sight, he yielded without protest
+to his mother's desire that he should go to bed in order to ward
+off possible chill. When Mr. Fisher, heartily thanked, had taken
+his departure, Mrs. Thayne started for Roger's room. On its
+threshold she stopped for the boys were talking.
+
+"I hated it like time out there," said Roger, now reposing
+luxuriously in bed. "But I hated worse to have you and Mother
+worried. I didn't purposely go over to the island, Win."
+
+"I know you didn't," said his brother. "I was sure that something
+you couldn't help had happened."
+
+"It did," sighed Roger. "I guess I'll never again do anything that
+worries Mother, now I know how it feels to worry over somebody
+myself. And I say, Win, Bill Fish is all right! To think of his
+knowing the scout signals! And he pulled out for me himself in a
+heavy old dory that weighed a ton. Why, Bill Fish isn't so bad!"
+
+"And have you just found that out?" asked Win laughing. "I've
+known it all the time."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+AT CORBIÉRE
+
+
+Not until Friday did Win receive the longed-for letter from Paris.
+He tore it open eagerly.
+
+"DEAR WIN," it ran, "I've just arrived in town and am wishing I
+was back in Jersey. As the steamer sailed, I looked over at St
+Aubin's and thought of you. You couldn't see me of course, both
+for fog and because I was in the wheel-house with the pilot, Jim
+Trott, a fellow from Gorey village.
+
+"Probably you thought that we didn't get into the cave on Monday
+on account of the weather. It was beastly, but I decided to try,
+and when Connie knew my plan, she insisted on going with me.
+Pierre came too, with a lantern and we went down without much
+trouble.
+
+"Pierre and I tackled your stone pile at once and we pitched
+quantities aside, but couldn't finish because Connie, who was
+watching the tide, called a halt too soon. But we cleared enough
+rocks away to feel rather sure there is an opening of some kind
+beyond; just possibly the passage you are so keen on, more
+probably connecting with another cave. The Jersey cliffs are
+honey-combed with them. How's that for exciting news?
+
+"Connie haled us out before there was really any need and of
+course the tide did not serve for us to go again. When I come at
+Easter, I'll finish the job if necessary. After playing ball with
+several tons of stone, we then explored the vaults, armed with a
+hammer and a long line.
+
+"Well, old fellow, I pounded that north wall inch by inch and I
+can't conscientiously say I struck anything that sounded at all
+hollow. But still, it's not like tapping on plaster or wood; one
+couldn't reasonably expect the same result for the stone is
+probably some feet thick. And if the whole wall is the side of the
+tunnel, naturally it would all sound alike, so that test doesn't
+really prove or disprove anything.
+
+"The discovery Connie and I did make, and to my mind it is rather
+important, is that you are right in thinking that there is a
+discrepancy between the walls of the oldest vault and the adjacent
+cellar. Outside the house, the foundation wall runs flush the
+length of the library and the wing beyond; inside, that same
+foundation wall doesn't jibe. According to our measurements, there
+is a difference of over a metre, almost four feet, in the length
+of the partition at right angles to the north wall as reckoned on
+either side. This certainly bears out your theory of a passage
+running along that wall.
+
+"We looked very carefully but could not detect that there had ever
+been any opening, but all the masonry is so rough that perhaps we
+couldn't expect to find it.
+
+"Uncle Dick is interested but sceptical, says the difference in
+measurement may be accounted for by walls built at different
+times. When he thinks it over a little, he will see that no Lisle
+in his senses,--and the Lisles possess sense,--would have put four
+extra feet of solidity into a wall which had no earthly reason to
+need such treatment. But he said that when I came at Easter, we
+may have a mason and knock a hole wherever we choose. Messing
+about in the cellar is a harmless amusement that may keep us out
+of mischief and provide employment for some deserving workman.
+Before that date, I trust you will succeed in getting Uncle Dick
+into a less doubting frame of mind. Easter is but a month away and
+if all goes well, I'll surely be back and we will hunt that
+Spanish chest to its lair.
+
+"Had no adventures coming here. Jean seemed relieved when I told
+him to drive. When I reached my rooms, I found a note directing me
+to report for duty to-morrow prepared to show some important
+American from the western States the sights of Paris. That means a
+gay and giddy day. I only hope I sha'n't have to interpret while
+he buys hats for Madam and the young ladies at home. Once I was
+let in for that and it was pretty sickening. I've often wondered
+what the ladies thought of those hats. I also hope he won't be
+keen on climbing the Eiffel tower, for that's one of the things
+that's not done in Paris.
+
+"I must go to bed for it is after two and my day to-morrow, or
+rather to-day, may include an evening as well.
+
+"Till Easter then adieu, and all best wishes,
+
+"M. R. HAMILTON."
+
+This letter naturally afforded Win a great deal of satisfaction
+and his interest and pleasure were shared by the others. To wait a
+whole month to solve the mystery of the Spanish chest when so
+distinct a clue appeared already in his hand, was a trial of
+patience. Naturally Colonel Lisle would not be likely to go ahead
+in the matter until Max returned to inspire action by his youthful
+enthusiasm, and it was only fair that Max should be in at the
+finish. Win wondered whether Connie shared the Colonel's
+scepticism. This proved not the case, only that Connie and her
+father were going to London for a week or two and the little lady
+of the Manor had other ideas to occupy her pretty head.
+
+"We may even run over to Paris," she announced during a farewell
+call at Rose Villa. "Max has been begging us ever since he was
+sent there, so it's possible we may cross for a few days and plan
+so that we come back together at Easter."
+
+"Wouldn't it be jolly to go around Paris with Mr. Max," said Win
+almost enviously. "I haven't forgotten how dandy he was to me in
+Washington. Dad took me along when he was calling on some official
+and then found he was in for a morning's conference. The Secretary
+sent for a young man, who proved to be Mr. Max and told him to
+look after me. I was only fifteen, but Mr. Max took as much pains
+to give me a good time as though I'd been somebody really
+important."
+
+"That's like Max," said Connie briefly, her eyes showing pleasure
+at Win's tribute. "I think he's detailed for service such as that
+more often than the other young men of the Embassy because he gets
+on so well with all sorts of people. It's a real gift and a very
+valuable one for a prospective diplomat. But you are celebrating
+one of your great national days this week, aren't you?"
+
+"Yes, Washington's birthday," said Frances. "Luckily it comes on
+Wednesday, so we have a holiday. We were going to have a picnic at
+Corbiére and invite you, Miss Connie."
+
+"Indeed, I wish I could be there," said Constance with genuine
+regret in her voice, "but I'll be in London. We'll keep up our
+spirits by remembering that it's only a brief time to Easter and
+then we are to start again on the trail of the Spanish chest."
+
+Estelle consented to join the holiday celebration, and when the
+twenty-second dawned bright and sunny, Rose Villa was the scene of
+an animated flurry. In the dining-room, Edith, Frances and Estelle
+were putting up the lunch, while Win collected painting traps for
+the picture he hoped to sketch, and Roger departed to bring the
+pony and cart engaged for the day.
+
+Corbiére Point was distant about four miles and all except Win and
+his mother proposed to walk, since the little carriage could take
+lunch baskets and wraps.
+
+Roger appeared with a plump stubborn Welsh pony, attached to a
+funny little cart which he gayly informed them was a "gingle."
+Neither Edith nor Estelle, who were familiar with the term as used
+in Cornwall, thought it odd but Roger considered it most absurd.
+
+Even the short legs of a tiny pony could cover the ground more
+rapidly than the walking party, and when the pedestrians reached
+their destination, no sign of Win, his mother, pony or gingle was
+visible.
+
+"Oh, what a wonderful view!" exclaimed Estelle stopping short.
+
+Before them lay Corbiére lighthouse, built on a bold rock, at
+flood tide an island, but at this hour approachable from the
+mainland by a causeway. In the foreground stretched an expanse of
+jagged red reefs and shining pools with a single martello tower
+rising in dignified grandeur. At the right lay a hill, its summit
+crowned by one stone cottage with a thatched roof, and down the
+hill a narrow road wandered to disappear in a cleft between two
+gigantic red granite boulders sprinkled with glittering quartz and
+partly covered with gray and bright orange lichens. Green grass
+and turquoise blue sea with a single white sail dipping to the
+horizon completed the color scheme. Near at hand hovered several
+of the sea-crows, _corbiéres_, which have given the point its
+name.
+
+Estelle's soft eyes grew wide and a pretty pink flush came into
+her usually pale cheeks as she gazed into the distance. Roger and
+the girls were looking for the rest of the party.
+
+The thatched cottage seemed utterly without life, windows blank
+and no sign of any domestic proceedings.
+
+"It must be deserted," said Edith as they strolled on.
+
+"Here's a shed with something black in it," said Roger. "I can
+just see its head. It's a goat."
+
+"It's a black stocking hung to dry," declared Edith.
+
+"Stocking, nothing," replied Roger. "I know it's a goat."
+
+The two hung over the gate and deliberately stared into the little
+shed. "No goat ever stopped still for so long," persisted Edith,
+when three full minutes had passed without motion in the shed.
+
+"I'll go in and see," began Roger, about to climb the gate. A
+sudden exclamation from Frances deterred him.
+
+"Goodness, here's a black cat! Where did it come from?"
+
+Upon the doorstep now sat a perfectly motionless black cat.
+
+"Look at the black hens!" added Edith, bursting into laughter.
+
+At either corner of the stone cottage two coal black hens were
+visible, also like statues, and possessing bright yellow eyes.
+
+"_And_ a black dog in a barrel!" Frances fairly shrieked.
+
+"Well, a dog has some sense!" said Roger, whistling and calling.
+Strange to say, the dog neither stirred nor lifted its head. Nose
+on its paws it remained absolutely still.
+
+"This is a bum lot of animals," observed Roger. "I never saw a dog
+before that wouldn't at least bark at strangers."
+
+"It's probably dumb as well as deaf," commented Frances.
+
+"But it might at least _move_," expostulated Roger. "Perhaps it's
+paralyzed."
+
+"Perhaps this cottage and everything about it is enchanted,"
+suggested Edith. "Miss Connie said something, don't you remember,
+about a place where the Jersey witches hold their meetings?"
+
+"That is 'way the other end of the island," retorted Roger, "down
+at St. Clement's."
+
+There was something uncanny about that collection of dusky,
+motionless animals and the three were conscious of real relief
+when the two hens at last walked off in quite a hen-like, not to
+say human manner. But cat, dog and goat remained as though
+petrified.
+
+"Mother's calling," said Frances. "Come along, Roger. Lunch!"
+
+Roger postponed his intention of stirring up the dog to see
+whether it was stuffed or paralyzed, and they turned in the
+direction of the call.
+
+Luncheon was already spread on the grass in shelter of a big rock,
+the Stars and Stripes forming the table decoration. At sight of
+the flag, Roger and Fran stopped and saluted gravely as their
+father had taught them.
+
+"Mother!" exclaimed Roger, his eyes widening. "Is that a chocolate
+layer-cake? Where did it come from?"
+
+"I made it," said Mrs. Thayne. "Miss Estelle said I might and
+Annette was quite pleased to watch me, and see how an American
+cake was constructed."
+
+No doubt that the young people were frankly happy, though spending
+this holiday in so unusual a fashion. After luncheon, Win prepared
+to sketch the lighthouse and the other three proposed to visit it.
+
+As they ran down the hill toward the causeway and the heap of
+picturesque red rocks bared by the water, Mrs. Thayne settled
+herself with her embroidery and Estelle produced her netting.
+
+After a few moments spent consulting with Win as to the exact
+angle desirable for his sketch, Mrs. Thayne felt for her watch,
+remembered that she did not bring it and looked at Estelle.
+
+"Will you tell me the time?" she asked. "Win's hands are full with
+his palette and block."
+
+"Certainly," said Estelle. "It's just two."
+
+As she replaced her watch, a sudden look of interest crossed Mrs.
+Thayne's face.
+
+"What a curious chain you have, Estelle," she remarked. "Is it an
+old one? May I take it a moment?"
+
+"It belonged to my grandmother, my mother's mother," replied
+Estelle, unfastening the chain and holding it out to Mrs. Thayne.
+"I think it is very old for I never saw another like it."
+
+Mrs. Thayne examined the trinket carefully. It was hand-made, of
+pale yellow gold, and the links, instead of being round, were
+rectangular, yet so fastened in a series of three as to produce
+the effect of a round cable.
+
+"It is an awkward thing to use," said Estelle, "because sometimes
+those links get turned and it is very difficult to work them into
+place."
+
+Mrs. Thayne looked up, a curiously intent expression on her face.
+"Estelle," she said abruptly, "have you any relatives in America?"
+
+"Not that I know of," Estelle replied, surprised by the sudden
+question, "though I suppose it is quite possible. Grandmother's
+sister married a young man who went out to the colonies, somewhere
+near Toronto, I think. We have known nothing of them since
+Grandmother died and that was before I was born. I think Mother
+completely lost touch with Great-aunt Emma. It is easy, you know,
+when one belongs to a different generation and has never seen
+one's aunt."
+
+"Then you don't know whether your Great-aunt Emma had children?"
+asked Mrs. Thayne, twisting the odd chain reflectively between her
+fingers.
+
+"Oh, yes," said Estelle. "I do happen to know that. There were
+two, a girl and a boy. Now I think of it, I recall that the girl
+married and went to the States. I do not know how one speaks of
+your counties, but it was not the city of New York,--perhaps New
+Yorkshire?"
+
+"New York State," put in Win so abruptly that his mother jumped.
+To all appearances he had been completely absorbed in his
+painting.
+
+"But you don't know the name of the man she married?" Mrs. Thayne
+asked.
+
+"I do not," replied Estelle. "But I could find out, for it will be
+among Father's papers. I think he had a hazy idea of writing some
+time to Canada to get in touch if possible with Mother's
+relatives. But it was never done, and I should hesitate to do it,
+--especially now."
+
+"Lest they might think you were seeking aid," Mrs. Thayne thought,
+with a tender appreciation of Estelle's proud independence, but
+she kept her inference to herself.
+
+"Do you know whether your grandmother's sister who went to Canada
+also possessed a chain like this?" she asked.
+
+"Why, yes," said Estelle, laying down her work and looking out to
+sea. "I know she did. Great-grandfather Avery once bought two just
+alike in Paris and gave one to each of his daughters. This came to
+me through Mother."
+
+Mrs. Thayne started to speak but caught Win's eyes fixed upon her
+inquiringly. Something in their expression checked the words she
+was about to utter.
+
+"After all, better be sure," she thought. "It is a very curious
+old trinket, Estelle," she said, returning the chain. "Some time
+when you think of it, I wish you would look in your father's
+papers and find the married name of that cousin who went to New
+York State."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+WIN WONDERS
+
+
+"Mother," said Win solemnly, "I shook in my shoes this afternoon.
+Didn't you notice the lurid mixture of colors I was daubing on my
+block? And all because I knew you were having psychic thoughts and
+I was so afraid you would say what I thought you were thinking and
+startle Estelle. I wanted so much to know myself just what you
+were driving at with your watch-chains that I almost chewed my
+tongue off trying not to speak."
+
+"I know it," said Mrs. Thayne. "I felt you quaking, Win, and
+decided to keep still. After all, the only sensible way was to
+find out definitely that name. Estelle is so proud and so
+reluctant to accept help that one must move carefully in trying to
+smooth her pathway."
+
+The two were alone in Mrs. Thayne's room after the happy picnic at
+Corbiére. Through the open window floated the occasional sound of
+voices from the end of the terrace where Roger, Edith, and Frances
+stood watching the steamer for Southampton round Noirmont Point.
+
+"And now that I do know the name, I am still uncertain what is
+best to do," reflected Mrs. Thayne. "But you asked about the
+chain, Win. The moment I saw that one of Estelle's I knew that I
+had seen a similar one in the United States. For a time I could
+not place it, and really it is a thing of unusual workmanship and
+not likely to be largely duplicated. Then it came to me in a flash
+that Carrie Aldrich often wears a chain like that and once told me
+that it had belonged to her mother."
+
+"But I never knew that Mrs. Aldrich was English," said Win
+wonderingly. "I thought she'd always lived in Boston."
+
+"I knew that she was a Canadian," replied his mother, "but she was
+educated in the United States and married an American. To trace
+her ancestry never occurred to me. She is so thoroughly and
+completely American that one would never think of her forefathers
+as being anything else.
+
+"I can hardly keep silent," she went on. "When I think of Carrie
+alone in that huge house in Boston, with her big income and her
+still bigger heart and only her charities to fill it and to occupy
+her time, and then think of Estelle, so proudly trying to support
+herself and Edith in a land where self-support for women is not
+easy,--why, Win, it seems as though I must tell her on the spot.
+And yet, if I do, I am quite sure Estelle will just shut herself
+up in the armor of her pride and refuse to make herself known.
+Taking both the testimony of the chains and the very pronounced
+family resemblance, there can be no reasonable doubt of the
+identity."
+
+"I think Estelle would refuse," said Win slowly. "She's foolishly
+proud. She thinks, Mother, that you pay more than the house is
+worth and so she does her level best to make it up to us in other
+ways."
+
+"I believe I will write to Carrie," mused Mrs. Thayne. "She'd be
+interested and anxious to see the girls. I'm sure she doesn't
+realize that she has any cousins in England."
+
+"Mother," said Win with deliberation, "why don't you ask Mrs.
+Aldrich to come over and visit us for a little? You'd like to have
+her and so would we. Probably she has nothing especial to keep her
+at home and might be glad to be let out of a month or two of
+winter."
+
+"That's a bright idea, Win!" exclaimed his mother. "Only I suppose
+she has several pet charities that she will feel she can't leave
+at short notice."
+
+"In that case," replied Win, "probably you'd better write her
+about the girls, only do tell her to come and see for herself. It
+strikes me that nothing but knowing each other would ever really
+bring them together."
+
+"Win, you are so like your father," said Mrs. Thayne
+affectionately. "Your minds work alike. I find I'm growing to
+depend more and more upon your judgment."
+
+In the dusk Mrs. Thayne could not see the flush that spread over
+her son's thin face. To be likened in any way to Captain Thayne
+was praise indeed for Win.
+
+"I only wish I could take more off your shoulders, Mother," he
+said briefly, "instead of being a great lazy lump that the whole
+family has to take thought for."
+
+"Here's Annette with letters," said Mrs. Thayne. "Why, I did not
+expect mail until tomorrow."
+
+Some moments passed until Win was aroused from his own
+correspondence by a sudden surprised exclamation from his mother.
+
+"Never say you don't believe in special providences. This seems
+almost incredible, but here is a note from Mrs. Aldrich, written
+from London! She's come over to attend some charity congress and
+wants me to run up for a few days."
+
+"Then it is meant that you should, Mother," said Win, smiling.
+"That coincidence hasn't happened for nothing. You can tell her
+about the girls much more convincingly than it could be written,
+and bring her back with you to see them. It will all be natural
+and Estelle will never suspect."
+
+"I'll do it," said Mrs. Thayne, but the next second a shadow crossed
+her face. Her sharp-eyed son instantly saw and interpreted.
+
+"I'll not overdo, Mother," he said immediately. "Trust me to rival
+the sloth in idleness. I promise you that I won't stir one step
+out of my usual routine."
+
+"But there's Roger," mused his mother.
+
+"Oh, Roger is walking the straight and narrow path of virtue. Ever
+since ex-scoutmaster Bill Fish rescued him from a desert island,
+he's been meekness itself. Makes me smile to see his star-eyed
+devotion. This plan is too evidently designed, for you to give it
+the cold shoulder."
+
+"It does seem so," agreed his mother. "Well, I'll go by Saturday's
+boat. Win, don't you think it would be best not to say anything to
+Fran and Roger? We will tell them after I have seen Carrie."
+
+"I certainly do," Win declared. "Fran couldn't keep that secret
+one half day. It wouldn't interest the kid."
+
+The absence of the family did not prevent Win's enjoyment of the
+Manor library and during his mother's stay in London, he paid it
+several visits. Evidently the servants had been instructed to
+expect and make him welcome, should he appear, for a smiling face
+answered his ring and the fire in the library was invariably
+lighted on his arrival. But Win's conscience would not allow him
+to neglect Roger even for these delightful hours of solitude, so
+this pleasure was only occasional.
+
+With the pony and gingle they explored many of the lovely Jersey
+lanes and headlands, for driving seldom tired Win. Half a morning
+passed in this fascinating occupation left Roger ready to spend
+the time before luncheon in preparing his lessons. When they were
+over in the afternoon, Mr. Fisher usually suggested kicking
+football on the beach or led Roger a walk sufficiently strenuous
+to leave him disposed for a quiet evening. Estelle and Nurse both
+thought Roger "good as gold," and did not realize how much of his
+virtue was due to the forethought of brother and tutor.
+
+One morning Estelle had errands in town and invited Roger to go
+with her. Hearing his joyful acceptance, Win as gladly betook
+himself to the Manor.
+
+Spring was far advanced now, potatoes were being planted and other
+early vegetables already showing in green rows. Under the trees on
+the Manor grounds wild snow-drops starred the grass. Win wandered
+into the formal garden enclosed by a hedge of box so clipped as to
+form a solid wall with square pillars topped by round balls of
+living green. In the background posed two peacocks, also clipped
+from box. What patience, time and care had been required to bring
+that hedge to such perfection! Early roses were now plentiful and
+as Win sauntered through their fragrant mazes, he realized how
+much loving thought had been expended through the centuries on
+this old garden. Sad indeed that the present owner of Laurel Manor
+was the last Richard Lisle.
+
+Win's reverie was broken by the passing of Pierre, with a pleasant
+"_Bon jour, M'sieur_," and a touch of his cap. Pierre carried a
+rope and crowbar, unusual implements for a gardener's assistant.
+
+Win watched him idly down the laurel-bordered drive and then went
+into the library, followed by Tylo, who seemed depressed in the
+absence of his mistress.
+
+About eleven, Win was visited by Yvonne, bringing a glass of milk
+and a plate of biscuit, which she placed beside him with a
+politely murmured "M'sieur labors so diligently!"
+
+"Thank you, Yvonne," said Win. "It's good of you to bring that. Do
+you know when the Colonel and Miss Connie are expected?"
+
+"No word since they arrived at Paris," replied Yvonne in her
+daintily accented English.
+
+"It is Pierre who hears from M'sieur Max, a letter, brief indeed,
+but explicit, that certain matters may arrange themselves in
+readiness for the coming of M'sieur Max."
+
+Win looked puzzled. For a second Yvonne stood regarding him, her
+head slightly on one side.
+
+"Word will perhaps arrive on the morrow," she volunteered. "Is the
+milk to M'sieur's liking?"
+
+"Very much. Thank you, Yvonne."
+
+The trim little maid replenished the fire, replaced a daffodil
+fallen from a vase, patted Tylo, gave him a biscuit and vanished
+as noiselessly as she came.
+
+Left alone, Win began to walk slowly up and down the library,
+wondering about the matters which were "to arrange themselves."
+The tools Pierre carried, the direction in which he was walking,
+to Win's alert mind suggested the Manor cave. Had Max told Pierre
+to complete clearing away that heap of stones and if so, why?
+
+Never in his life had Win been so tempted to break his word. In
+spite of the voluntary promise to his mother to do nothing in the
+least unusual, it seemed as though he _must_ go and see what was
+taking place in the cave.
+
+"Pierre would help me up," he told himself.
+
+"Yes," came the instant answer, "but Roger gave you all the help
+he could and yet you were in bed two days and felt ill for a
+week."
+
+Win thought of questioning Pierre, but abandoned the idea as not
+quite on the level. A note from Max had come on yesterday's
+steamer presumably in company with the directions to Pierre. There
+was not a word in it about the cave and if the writer had wanted
+Win to know what was going on, he would have told him. No, Win's
+code of honor would not permit him to find out by asking Pierre.
+And yet two weeks until Easter!
+
+Win gave a long whistle, looked wistfully down to the sea and
+again took up his book.
+
+When he returned for luncheon at Rose Villa, he found Roger
+convulsing Frances by his account of the morning spent in town
+with Estelle.
+
+"It's lucky I don't have to do the marketing for this family," he
+announced. "If you wanted cream now, where would you get it?"
+
+"A dairy, of course, or a market," replied Frances.
+
+"Wrong. Much cream you'd get! Try a fish-monger's."
+
+At Roger's disgusted tone, Fran giggled, "Oh, I've learned a lot,"
+he went on. "Where would you ask for one of those paper patterns
+to cut out a dress?"
+
+"A dry-goods store," answered his sister.
+
+"Do say a draper's if that is what you mean," continued Roger.
+"You would only waste time. Go to a book-shop."
+
+"I will," said Fran. "Thanks for the tip."
+
+"I wanted to get weighed," said Roger, "because I know I am
+becoming a shadow studying so hard. I asked Miss Estelle where to
+go and told her I didn't think the nickel-in-the-slot machines
+were very accurate--Well, what's wrong with that?"
+
+Roger stopped for both Win and Frances were laughing at him.
+
+"Here you are knocking English customs," said Win at last. "As
+though Miss Estelle knew what a nickel was, let alone a slot
+machine, although I have seen some of them."
+
+"I don't see anything so funny," said Roger huffily. "Perhaps she
+didn't know, but she was polite enough not to laugh and said the
+place to get weighed was the hair-dresser's--"
+
+"Oh, come off," said Win. "That's too much, even for us."
+
+"Well, it is where we went and where the scales were," retorted
+Roger, "but there weren't any pounds to it, only what they call
+stones. I weigh exactly seven stone and I won't tell you how many
+pounds that is."
+
+"Ninety-eight," said Win so promptly that Roger looked
+disconcerted.
+
+"How did you know?" he demanded.
+
+"From a book," replied his brother. "A little article that you
+don't yet value as highly as you might. What next?"
+
+"Oh, that was about all," said Roger, "except that Miss Estelle
+told me I might choose some crackers, I mean biscuit, and to buy
+half a kilo. I forgot and asked for half a litre and the clerk
+grinned very disagreeably."
+
+"Liquid measure instead of dry," commented Win in amusement.
+"After luncheon, Roger, permit me to introduce you to some parts
+of your arithmetic that you have evidently never examined. But go
+on."
+
+"Then I stopped to look in a window and hurried to catch Miss
+Estelle and ran into a big fat man who was wearing stiff leather
+gaiters and a tam o' shanter. We came together rather hard,"
+admitted Roger. "I didn't hurt myself much because he was quite
+soft, but his tam fell off and he said, 'Bless my soul, by
+George!"
+
+"Roger, I can't stand any more," implored Frances.
+
+"I don't follow the logic of that hair-dresser and the scales,"
+mused Win, when he had stopped laughing. "Is it before and after a
+hair-cut or to see how much flesh the barber gouges out in a
+shave?"
+
+"Give it up," said Fran. "There's the gong for luncheon and Edith
+bringing the mail. I hope there's a letter from mother."
+
+"There is," said Edith.
+
+"Please excuse me, Miss Estelle, if I read it now," begged
+Frances, settling into her seat at the table.
+
+"Of course, dear," was the reply as Estelle took Mrs. Thayne's
+usual place, for she and Edith were having their meals with the
+young people.
+
+"Now, Roger, pause," exclaimed Win, suddenly. "What are you going
+to do with that?" he added, as the attention of all was
+concentrated on the surprised Roger who sat with arrested hand
+suspending above his plate a spoon heaped with sugar.
+
+"Whatever is he doing?" protested Estelle gently. "Such a mixture!
+How can he eat sugar on his eggs?"
+
+"Thought it was pancakes," explained Roger, indicating the omelet
+before him, but relinquishing the sugar.
+
+"Mother's coming on Wednesday," Frances announced happily. "And
+she's met a friend in London, Mrs. Aldrich, who's coming with her
+for a few days. Isn't that splendid, boys? You'll like her, Miss
+Estelle. She's sweet."
+
+"I shall be glad to see any friend of your mother's," said Estelle
+cordially. Looking to see whether Roger was sufficiently supplied
+with butter, she did not notice the smile with which Win glanced
+at her.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+THE TWO CHAINS
+
+
+"Estelle, will you do me a favor?" asked Mrs. Thayne, following
+her young landlady into the hall. The travelers from London had
+just arrived and in the drawing-room, Mrs. Aldrich was expatiating
+to the boys upon the roughness of the trip.
+
+"Why, of course I will! You don't need to ask," replied Estelle
+affectionately.
+
+"You and Edith have been taking your meals with the children
+during my absence. Please keep on doing it. Let us all be one
+family for the rest of our stay."
+
+"It is lovely of you to want us, Mrs. Thayne," said Estelle, her
+face flushing. "We stopped with the children because I thought it
+would be better and then I could personally see that they had all
+they wanted. But now that you have a guest--"
+
+"I want you and Mrs. Aldrich to know each other," said Mrs. Thayne
+quickly. "And this will be one of the easiest ways to get
+acquainted."
+
+"I think Mrs. Aldrich is charming," remarked Estelle. "Isn't it
+odd, how sometimes a likeness in a total stranger strikes one? For
+a second, just as you introduced us, she reminded me so much of my
+dear mother that I could hardly pull myself together to speak. She
+must have thought me quite awkward."
+
+"I know she didn't," said Mrs. Thayne, with difficulty keeping her
+face under control. She had seen Estelle start and noticed her
+amazed expression when Mrs. Aldrich greeted her. So Estelle had
+not been conscious of Mrs. Aldrich's constrained manner! "Then you
+will have luncheon with us?" she added.
+
+"I will since you wish it," replied Estelle, vanishing to give
+directions to Nurse.
+
+"Now, what is there to do this morning?" Mrs. Aldrich was asking
+the boys. "I propose to stay in this island exactly one week. Your
+mother was seasick so she ought to lie down and rest but I feel as
+fit as a fiddle. Frances is at school, you tell me. No, I don't
+want to drive this morning. Suppose you take me for a short walk,
+Roger and Win, and show me what is to be seen on the beach."
+
+"We might take you to Noirmont Point," suggested Roger as they
+stopped at the end of the terrace to look at the view which was
+never twice the same. "What are those big vessels over beyond
+Castle Elizabeth?"
+
+"They are English warships," replied Mrs. Aldrich. "Coming into
+the harbor we passed close to them. The captain said it was a part
+of the Channel squadron, whatever that is."
+
+"Oh, did you see their names?" demanded Roger eagerly, as he
+counted the great gray ships in the offing. "Fourteen, no,
+fifteen."
+
+"Only a few. One was the _Princess Royal_ and I saw the
+_Thunderer_, the _Revenge_, the _Black Prince_ and the
+_Camperdown_."
+
+Roger's eyes opened at this list of awe-inspiring names. "I wish
+we could get over to Elizabeth," he remarked. "We could see them
+better then."
+
+"Tide's not right," said Win, casting a critical glance at the
+sea.
+
+"What, to walk over to that island?" asked Mrs. Aldrich. "Is it
+ever possible?"
+
+"We've been over," said Roger. "When the tide is 'way out, there
+is a raised causeway, quite smooth and easy."
+
+"What is the place anyway?" asked Mrs. Aldrich, looking curiously
+across to the castle.
+
+"Once it was an old abbey," Win explained, "dedicated to St.
+Elericus, the patron saint of Jersey. I suppose the town was named
+for him."
+
+"How did the island itself get its name?" inquired Mrs. Aldrich.
+"The derivation of these charming old English names is a
+fascinating study."
+
+"It was the old Roman Caesarea," said Win. "Jersey is a corruption
+of that. The ruined hermitage of St. Elericus is still over near
+Elizabeth, at least they call it that, though it's a kind of
+combination of a watch-tower and a cave. But the castle, as it
+stands, was built when Edward VI was king of England. There's a
+story to the effect that all the bells in the island except one
+for each of the twelve churches were seized by royal authority and
+ordered sold to help pay for building the castle. They were
+shipped to St. Malo and expected to bring a high price, but the
+vessel went down on the way and all the good church people thought
+it was because of sacrilege in taking those bells."
+
+"What is the castle used for now?" inquired Mrs. Aldrich.
+
+"Barracks," replied Roger. "The place is full of soldiers. It's no
+good now as a fortification, because Fort Regent up above St.
+Helier's--over there on the cliffs--could knock Castle Elizabeth
+and all those warships into fits in no time. Nothing can enter the
+bay if the Fort Regent guns don't approve. And that heap of rocks
+where Elizabeth stands is 'most a mile around,--it is, honest.
+Fran and Edith and I walked it."
+
+"They say," said Win, "that the space between the castle and the
+town was once a meadow. For that matter, they also say that the
+whole channel between here and France was once so narrow that the
+Bishop of Coutances used to cross to Jersey on a plank."
+
+"Tell that to the marines," protested Roger. "You do find the
+weirdest yarns in those books you're always grubbing in."
+
+"Oh, I can tell a bigger one than that," said Win laughing, "but
+perhaps you'll swallow it because your friend Bill told it to me.
+He said that some time in the sixteenth century there was an
+abnormally low tide, lower than any one had ever known. Some
+fishermen who happened to be out between Orgueil and the coast of
+France came in and reported that they had distinctly seen down in
+the channel the towers and streets and houses of an old town,
+forty feet or more under water."
+
+"There are stories like that in Brittany," said Mrs. Aldrich. "The
+fishermen declare that they can hear the tolling of the submerged
+church bells. Now, when legends like that exist on both sides of a
+channel, it stands to reason that there is likely some foundation
+in truth."
+
+"Then why don't they send divers down to find out?" demanded Roger
+bluntly. "Any enterprising country would."
+
+"We'll import a few Americans to do the investigating," laughed
+Mrs. Aldrich. "Is this Frances coming? Who is with her?"
+
+"Edith," replied Win. "Miss Estelle's sister."
+
+"Bless me!" murmured Mrs. Aldrich. "The other was startling enough
+but this resemblance is even stronger."
+
+Win smiled. It was great fun to look on, knowing what he did of
+his mother's innocent little conspiracy, all the more fun because
+the other young people were unsuspecting.
+
+At luncheon, where Estelle appeared with a pretty dignity, Win was
+supplied with still more secret amusement. Mrs. Aldrich talked a
+good deal, rather inconsequently at times, but continually looked
+from one sister to the other in a way that would have aroused
+suspicion had either the slightest idea that any plot was on foot.
+As it was, Win saw Estelle occasionally glancing at their guest in
+a puzzled manner as though trying to account for something she
+found unexpected. After the meal he waylaid his mother.
+
+"What is Mrs. Aldrich going to do?" he asked laughingly. "I had
+hard work not to give myself away during luncheon. You looked so
+unnatural, Mother, that if you hadn't been seasick, Fran and Roger
+would have caught on. As it was, they thought you weren't quite
+rested."
+
+"I don't know what she is going to do," replied his mother, "but
+it is working as we hoped. She is strongly attracted to the girls,
+and Estelle confided to me that our guest in some unaccountable
+way, reminded her of her mother. We have done our part in bringing
+Carrie here; it is for her to take the next step. I rather imagine
+that she won't be able to hold in very much longer, though I think
+she is enjoying the situation."
+
+It was not until dinner of her third day in St. Aubin's, that Mrs.
+Aldrich made herself known. To please Win, who had ascertained
+that she chanced to have the old chain with her, she wore it when
+she entered the dining-room.
+
+Win watched Estelle intently, disappointed that she did not
+immediately notice the ornament. Indeed, they were finishing
+dessert before anything happened. Perhaps purposely, Mrs. Aldrich
+looked at her watch and Fran in all innocence touched the match
+that fired the explosion.
+
+"Why, how odd!" she exclaimed. "Miss Estelle has a chain just like
+that one, Mrs. Aldrich."
+
+Win and his mother exchanged a glance; the others naturally looked
+at the chain.
+
+"It's precisely like it, Sister," said Edith, who sat near Mrs.
+Aldrich. "Isn't that queer?"
+
+"It's an old keepsake," said Mrs. Aldrich with deliberation. "It
+belonged to my mother. See, here are her initials on the slide, E.
+A. for Emma Avery."
+
+Edith looked with interest but Estelle turned pale. Thoughtful Win
+pushed a glass of water within reach.
+
+"Star's has initials too," Edith remarked innocently. "A. A., I
+think they are. Anyway, it was Grandmother's chain."
+
+Mrs. Aldrich turned to Estelle, who perfectly colorless, was
+staring at her. "Child," she said rather peremptorily, "come up to
+my room and let us compare these old trinkets."
+
+Still speechless, Estelle mechanically arose. Amid dead silence
+the two left the dining-room. Fran turned to her mother, amazed at
+the look of excited pleasure on her face. "What _does_ it all
+mean?" she demanded. "Is it a secret?"
+
+"Just a mild little conspiracy," replied Mrs. Thayne. "What it
+means, is that Mrs. Aldrich was your mother's first cousin, Edith,
+so she is your and Estelle's second cousin. Just by chance I
+guessed from Estelle's unusual chain that the one Carrie Aldrich
+wears came from the same source. When Estelle told me that her
+great-grandfather gave one to each of his two daughters, the whole
+thing flashed on me."
+
+"But that," said Edith, with her sweet childish faith, "is a
+miracle."
+
+"Perhaps," smiled Mrs. Thayne. "I only know that we shall leave
+St. Aubin's happier because you and Mrs. Aldrich have found each
+other out."
+
+A shower of eager questions fell from Frances and Roger but a long
+time passed before anything was seen of Estelle and Mrs. Aldrich.
+When they reappeared to the group awaiting them in the drawing-
+room, Estelle had plainly been crying and Mrs. Aldrich's eyes
+looked suspiciously red.
+
+"Come and kiss me, Edith," she said. "I want to be Cousin Carrie
+from now on. Yes, Estelle, she does look more like the Averys than
+you, though I saw the resemblance in your face also."
+
+"Isn't the whole thing just like a story?" Frances confided to her
+mother at bed-time. "What do you think will happen now?"
+
+"I don't know," admitted Mrs. Thayne. "Estelle is so very proud
+that it will be hard for her to accept help from any one, but
+Carrie will arrange things if it can be done. I know that Estelle
+has been dreadfully worried because some of the little money her
+father left her has been lost through an imprudent investment and
+that she has not felt sure she could manage to keep the house
+through another season. And yet she must find some way of
+supporting herself and Edith. Things will work themselves out, for
+Carrie is perfectly capable of inventing some very necessary work
+for Estelle to do, which will preserve her self-respect and let
+Carrie have her way. I think Carrie usually has some young person
+acting as secretary and Estelle could do that easily. I am not at
+all worried about the future since Estelle fortunately saw the
+resemblance to her own mother in Mrs. Aldrich. I imagine that will
+make it easier for her to consider whatever plan is proposed."
+
+"Wasn't it lucky that we came here!" sighed Frances. "And doesn't
+it seem odd that we did come, just because Roger and I wanted to
+take that little train the first day and chanced to find Rose
+Villa? If it hadn't been for that, we might not have looked for
+lodgings in St. Aubin's at all, nor known Miss Estelle and Edith.
+Why, Mother!" she went on, with intenser surprise in her voice.
+"It's just like the House that Jack built. If we hadn't come here,
+we wouldn't have met the beach dog, nor known Miss Connie, nor
+visited the Manor, nor be hunting for the Spanish chest!"
+
+Fran stopped, looking so comically aghast that Mrs. Thayne laughed
+as she kissed her.
+
+"So much depended upon a passing wish to take that little train!
+It is remarkable on looking back, to realize how often life turns
+upon some apparently trivial incident, some insignificant choice."
+
+"It's time though, that we went home, Mother," said Frances
+merrily. "While you were in London, Miss Estelle wanted change for
+half a crown, so I tipped the money out of my purse. One piece
+rolled on the floor and Roger picked it up, and said: 'Why, this
+isn't a shilling! What is it?' So I took it, and, Mother, both of
+us looked at it hard for several seconds before we realized that
+it was a United States quarter-dollar! Don't you think it is time
+that we went home?"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+THE CHEST ITSELF
+
+
+Mrs. Aldrich's stay did not exceed her limit of a week, but she
+left for London with Estelle's willing promise to come to her when
+the Thaynes returned to Boston and leaving behind her two girls
+with gladdened hearts. After her departure Win's interest was
+again concentrated on the coming of the Manor family and the
+search for the Spanish chest.
+
+Twice as he came or went from his visits to the library, he saw
+Pierre in the distance, once actually disappearing over the cliff
+edge, but Easter was close at hand when Yvonne, bringing the usual
+lunch, volunteered the information that the Colonel, Miss Connie
+and Mr. Max were expected on Saturday's steamer.
+
+Win reported this news with joy and when the day arrived the young
+people began to watch for the Granville boat hours before she
+could possibly arrive, hoping to distinguish familiar figures on
+the deck. To their disappointment, when the steamer was finally
+detected in the distance, dusk was at hand.
+
+"I shall do it!" said Roger firmly. "There are three packages and
+we may not be in England on the Fourth of July. Besides I forgot
+it on Washington's birthday."
+
+Fran and Win looked after him in amazement as he suddenly tore
+back to the house and rushed upstairs, spreading noise on his way
+and devastation in his room, where he jerked the very vitals out
+of his steamer trunk, scattering its contents to the four corners.
+
+Nor was Edith enlightened when Roger reappeared with a pasteboard
+tube in one hand, and a box of matches in the other, but Win
+laughed and Frances gave a shriek of delight.
+
+"Bed fire!" she exclaimed. "Oh, Roger, I never knew you had it. Do
+wait until the boat is a little nearer."
+
+"It will be darker, too," Win advised. "Make more of a show if you
+wait."
+
+"I only hope they will know it is for them," said Roger anxiously.
+
+"They'll see where it comes from and perhaps they'll understand,"
+said Win. "But don't expect the steamer to salute as one at home
+would."
+
+At the proper second, a flare of red illuminated the end of
+Noirmont Terrace, greatly amazing not only St. Aubin's staid
+population but such inhabitants of St. Helier's as chanced to be
+on the water front, and affording Roger two full moments of
+complete and exquisite satisfaction.
+
+"Real United States!" he said. "I suppose an English boat doesn't
+know enough to whistle--"
+
+Roger stopped with his mouth open. From the _Alouette_ came two
+distinct blasts of the steam siren.
+
+"Oh, that's Mr. Max," burst out Win in delight. "He's been in
+America and understands the etiquette of red fire. And you
+remember he said he knew personally all the captains on the
+Channel boats. Probably he went up to the bridge and got somebody
+to acknowledge our salute! Isn't that simply corking of him?"
+
+"That was surely meant for us," agreed the pleased Frances. "Oh,
+how long shall we have to wait before we see them?"
+
+That very evening Pierre brought a note from Constance, expressing
+appreciative thanks for their fiery welcome, the source of which
+Max had guessed and which he had easily induced Captain Lefevre to
+acknowledge. The note ended with an invitation to tea on Monday
+and promised a solution of some kind to Win's theories concerning
+the Spanish chest.
+
+"How nice of Miss Connie to set the very first possible day," said
+Frances. "I suppose we shall not see them before then."
+
+"Not unless we go to the little old church tomorrow," replied her
+brother. "If you want to, and it's a still day, we might get up
+there."
+
+But the travelers had returned on an evening of clouds and
+threatening winds. Easter Sunday dawned with Jersey in the grip of
+a terrific southeast storm. All day the rain beat on the panes of
+Rose Villa, all day the wind howled and snatched at the shutters,
+the house at times fairly quivering with its force. As dusk came,
+the gale increased to the proportions of a hurricane. Roger, going
+out to the pillar post-box, came struggling back with difficulty.
+
+"I met one of the Noirmont fishermen," he reported. "He said it is
+the worst gale in thirty years and when the weather clears the
+surf will be worth seeing."
+
+"Fisher told me that a southeast storm kicked up a fine sea,"
+replied Win. "I only hope it won't stop our going to the Manor to-
+morrow."
+
+All night the wind raged though the rain finally ceased. It seemed
+as though the reputed witches of Jersey were holding high carnival
+with the unloosed elements of air and water. Day broke, still
+without rain, but the violence of the wind was not lessened. Roger
+ran out to the end of the terrace and came hurrying back.
+
+"Come out, everybody, and look," he shouted above the uproar. "The
+waves are coming over the breakwater. There isn't one inch of
+beach to be seen."
+
+Roger's report was literally true. Though the sea wall protecting
+the town of St. Helier's rose twenty-five feet above the sands,
+the rollers were breaking beyond the wall on the esplanade itself,
+the white foam even running up some of the side streets. Only an
+inky howling mass of white-capped water stretched between the town
+and Elizabeth Castle.
+
+Win, who had managed to make slow progress to a point of vantage,
+stood fascinated by the wild whirl of wind and water. The tide was
+at the flood and the spectacle at its finest. Just a few moments
+sufficed to lessen its grandeur as the waves, yielding to the law
+of their being, were dragged away from the land. Presently,
+instead of dashing over the wall, they broke against it, and then
+came a scene of different interest. The water, forcibly striking
+the masonry, was flung back on the next incoming roller, with a
+collision that sent spray forty feet into the air from the
+violence of the shock. This phenomenon was repeated as the rollers
+crashed down the curve of the wall, continuing for its full
+length, the flying spray looking like consecutive puffs of steam
+from a locomotive.
+
+"Look, there comes the train from St. Helier's!" exclaimed Roger,
+dancing excitedly about. "Doesn't it look as though the ocean was
+trying to catch it?"
+
+The little train had prudently delayed its starting until after
+the turn of the tide. As it crept slowly around the curve of the
+breakwater, great white tongues of foam constantly shot over the
+wall like fingers frantically trying to seize and draw it into the
+sea. But always the hands fell back baffled, to the accompaniment
+of a roar that sounded almost like human disappointment. The train
+reached St. Aubin's dripping with salt water.
+
+"Five stones are torn out of the coping in the wall," reported
+Roger, coming back from his inspection of the adventurous little
+engine. "The guard says they are sweeping pebbles and stones by
+the ton out of the streets beyond the esplanade. And coming down
+here, he twice had a barrel of water slapped right at him. He is
+as wet as a drowned rat."
+
+"The surf must be wonderful at Corbiére," said Estelle. "They say
+there is an undertow off that point which produces something this
+effect of the water flung back by the wall."
+
+"Why, here's Miss Connie!" exclaimed Frances in excitement. Max
+and Constance on horseback were coming down the terrace.
+
+"We've been half round the island," Connie announced after her
+first greetings. Well prepared for wind as they were, both looked
+disheveled. Connie's hair was braided in a thick club down her
+back, evidently the only way she could keep it under control;
+Max's was plastered back by wind and spray, for he had lost his
+hat, and their horses were blown and spattered with salt brine.
+
+"Oh, but it is grand!" Constance went on. "Corbiére light is
+smothered in spray to the very top of the tower. We haven't had a
+storm like this since I was a tiny kiddie."
+
+To talk above the uproar of the surf was difficult. Asking them to
+be at the Manor promptly by three, the two rode away.
+
+"Why three?" asked Frances as they regained the shelter of the
+house.
+
+"I think we are going down into the cave," said Win happily. "Mr.
+Max told me just now that we were to begin exploring there and
+that things would be arranged so that it would not be hard for me.
+I suppose he and Pierre have some plan."
+
+"But you aren't going into the cave on a day like this?" exclaimed
+Mrs. Thayne, quite horrified at this announcement.
+
+"Why, yes, Mother," said Win. "The tide will be as low as usual
+when it does ebb."
+
+"Of course," assented his mother. "I forgot. But how about this
+wind? You must have the pony, Win."
+
+"I will if it keeps up, but I imagine the gale will blow itself
+out by noon."
+
+Win's prophecy proved correct. When the four started to keep their
+engagement, the wind was greatly abated and the only trace of the
+tempest was the ruined vines and gardens that marked their road.
+At the Manor gates, Colonel Lisle, Constance and Max met them.
+
+"It is to be the cave," Connie said gayly. "Max has things all
+mapped out for us."
+
+Arrived at the cliff, the party stopped. Marks of the storm were
+visible in one or two landslides and in a great amount of debris
+strewing the uncovered beach and rocks. Even large stones seemed
+to have been displaced.
+
+Max looked rather serious as he saw so much change in conditions
+usually stable. "I think you'd better let me go down and report
+whether matters are as I expect," he said. "There seems to have
+been considerable doing in this vicinity last evening."
+
+"Let us wait, Win," said Constance quickly. "No use in going down
+until we see how he finds things."
+
+Colonel Lisle also elected to await the report, but Roger and the
+girls accompanied Max. They were gone almost half an hour and the
+watchers on the cliff were beginning to wonder what had happened.
+When they did appear, they called to the others not to come.
+
+"'The best laid plans of mice and men!'" sighed Max as he reached
+the top of the cliff. "Uncle, the storm has picked up all the
+stones I had Pierre clear out of the tunnel and wedged them in
+tight again like a cork in a bottle."
+
+"There was a passage and we can't get into it?" demanded Win
+eagerly, his face reflecting the disappointment visible on the
+faces of the other young people.
+
+"There was," replied Max, looking at him sympathetically, "not
+merely into another cave but striking inland. Pierre cleared its
+mouth and reported it passable for fifty feet. Beyond that he did
+not go. Now, it is stopped as tight as ever. This shows, Uncle,
+how it came to be lost to the recollection of everybody about the
+Manor."
+
+"Yes," said Colonel Lisle. "Very likely it was stopped by a
+similar storm a century or more ago. So far as I know there has
+never been a legend of any tunnel. But, Max," he added, "there is
+yet the cellar where you and Win have decided that the passage
+enters the house."
+
+"May we knock a hole there?" Max asked quickly. Win had said
+nothing more but his disappointment was evident.
+
+"Certainly, if you like," assented the Colonel, smiling. "Only be
+prepared for another disillusion when you get the wall down. The
+existence of the tunnel doesn't ensure that of the chest."
+
+Max whistled, evidently a signal, for Pierre promptly appeared
+with a rope over his shoulder.
+
+"We sha'n't need that now," said Max. He proceeded to add some
+rapid directions in French. Pierre nodded, grinned cheerfully and
+set off at a fast pace.
+
+"I've told him to get another man and come to knock in the vault
+wall," Max explained as they started toward the Manor. "We may not
+get it down this afternoon, but that's all that's left to try. I'm
+beastly annoyed about that tiresome hole. Why should a ripsnorter
+of a storm come on the one day when it could spoil our plans?"
+
+"It's provoking." agreed Win. "Do you suppose there is really
+anything in the passage?"
+
+"Blessed if I know!" replied Max. "The one thing sure is that
+there is a passage. There must be since we located one end of it
+in the cave. If it hadn't been for that, we might not be permitted
+to tear down the wall, but even Uncle is convinced now that the
+tunnel exists."
+
+"Come and have tea," said Connie as they reached the Manor. "It's
+a bit early, but we may as well begin, for nobody knows how long
+it will take to pierce the vault."
+
+Max went down to show the men where to work and reported that the
+stone seemed soft and inclined to break easily. "This isn't going
+to be much of a job," he reported. "I told Pierre to send word as
+soon as he struck through."
+
+"What do you suppose the chest will look like?" asked Frances.
+"Will it be silver?"
+
+"No such luck," Max replied. "Possibly metal, probably wood,
+always provided that we find it."
+
+"You mustn't throw cold water, Max," reproved Connie from behind
+the tea-table. "Since we have found the passage, why not the
+chest? Let's have it a gorgeous one while we are about it, gold
+studded with uncut rubies and the Spanish crown in diamonds."
+
+Frances and Edith shrieked at thought of such sumptuousness and
+one by one each expressed an opinion as to what the box would
+resemble and its probable contents. Roger decided that the chest
+was of solid iron, fastened by seven locks of which they would
+have to find the seven keys and that inside would be discovered a
+complete suit of royal armor.
+
+"I fear that Prince Charles would not have made good his escape
+from England clad in a clanking suit of mail," said the amused
+Colonel.
+
+Just then Yvonne entered with her usual pretty air of importance.
+"It is Pierre who desires M'sieur to attend in the cellar," she
+said, addressing herself to Max.
+
+The entire party rose, hastily placing tea-cups on any convenient
+article of furniture. Roger found the floor most accessible for
+his, but with prudent foresight took with him such easily conveyed
+articles as the jam sandwiches and plum cake upon his plate.
+
+Down in the cellar, Pierre and McNeil, the Scotch gardener, stood
+facing the northern wall just where the newer wing joined the
+oldest Manor vault. Before them yawned a hole already two feet in
+diameter.
+
+With a grin on his face, Pierre thrust his crowbar through and
+showed that a space not quite a yard wide intervened before the
+tool brought up against what was in reality the outer wall of the
+cellar. The partition itself was only a foot thick, but because it
+was of equal thickness throughout its length, Max had not been
+able to detect any difference in resonance.
+
+"_Bien, Pierre!_" exclaimed Max eagerly. "_En avant!_"
+
+Pierre and McNeil attacked the wall again, Pierre all smiles and
+gay glances over this remarkable whim of M'sieur Max, whose whims
+as a rule he found enjoyable; McNeil looking perhaps not grimmer
+than usual, but as though the whole affair was quite below his
+dignity. To knock a hole in a perfectly good stone partition which
+would require a mason to fill and put in proper shape again at an
+expense of solid Jersey shillings, struck his thrifty Scotch soul
+as folly. Still, if Colonel Lisle wished to indulge Mr. Max in
+this youthful eccentricity, it was not McNeil's place to protest.
+
+After fifteen minutes a cavity yawned in the cellar wall,
+disclosing a passage leading to the left.
+
+"That will do, McNeil," said the Colonel. "That's enough for the
+purpose. Go ahead, boys. It was through your efforts that the
+tunnel was located, so it is for you to see this out."
+
+"Win shall be first," said Max. "Step in, old fellow."
+
+Pale with excitement, Win took the offered lantern and approached
+the hole. Once inside the opening he found that he could stand
+erect for the passage ran straight along the cellar wall about
+three feet wide and over five feet high. It seemed dry and the air
+was not musty. Rough stones formed its floor and roof but the
+crude workmanship had been strong and only a few scattered stones
+had fallen during the centuries.
+
+Max followed with another lantern, and Roger made the third
+explorer. The excited heads of the girls were thrust into the
+passage but only Frances actually stepped within.
+
+Win went slowly down the gently sloping tunnel, and presently the
+eager watchers who could catch only glimpses of shadowy roof and
+walls in the fitful light of the lanterns, saw the three stop. In
+her excitement, Fran forgot her fear of the distance stretching
+before her and ran to them. The next second came a wild warwhoop
+from Roger.
+
+"It's here!" Max called more quietly.
+
+At this wonderful news the rest entered the passage, the Colonel
+as eager as the others. Fifty feet from the opening at one side of
+the tunnel was a rough niche or alcove and in it stood a box about
+two feet square. Upon its cover lay the dust of ages, and it was
+scarcely to be distinguished in color from the stones about it.
+
+"We'll bring it out, Uncle," said Max. "No place to open it here.
+You hold the lanterns, Win. Lend a hand, Roger. Go easy; we don't
+know how much knocking it will stand."
+
+His eyes almost starting from his head, Roger took one of the
+handles, the girls stepped back and in two minutes the party stood
+in the open cellar, looking at what was undoubtedly the Spanish
+chest.
+
+[Illustration: WHAT WAS UNDOUBTEDLY THE SPANISH CHEST]
+
+"Is it heavy?" asked Fran breathlessly, while Pierre went for a
+brush to remove the silted dust.
+
+"Rather," said Max, looking boyishly excited. "Ah, now we know the
+style of the chest. No gold box nor uncut rubies, Connie!"
+
+Relieved of its heavy coating of dust, the box proved of dark
+wood, carefully finished and ornamented by plates and corners of
+steel. Upon its cover was inlaid a scroll engraved with the Manor
+arms and the name of Richard Lisle.
+
+"Gracious, what great-grandfather bought that bit of bric-a-brac!"
+exclaimed Connie, seeing her father's eyes light with interested
+pleasure. "It must have been the original Richard himself. Is it
+locked?"
+
+Max tried the lid. "No," he said, straightening up and looking at
+the Colonel. "It is your play, Uncle Dick. Only a Lisle of Laurel
+Manor should open Richard's chest."
+
+The Colonel smiled, stepped forward and with his single hand
+lifted the lid. The excited group about him bent forward eagerly.
+
+At first glance a roll of dark cloth was all that appeared. When
+Colonel Lisle lifted this, it unfolded into a long-skirted coat
+ornamented with many buttons. The fabric was stained and rotten,
+in places moth-eaten. Below the coat lay a pair of leather gloves
+with long wrists, stiff as boards, and two blackened bits of metal
+that proved to be spurs.
+
+For a moment no one spoke. The young people were silent, impressed
+with the fact that long years ago these things had been the
+property of a prince of England.
+
+With a smile the Colonel looked first at Max and then at Win. "Are
+you satisfied?" he asked. "Though the contents of the Spanish
+chest have no value in money, they certainly are rich in
+historical interest."
+
+"Oh, it was the fun of finding it that I cared about," said Win
+quickly. "That was the point for me. And I am so glad there is
+something in it."
+
+"Let's take it up-stairs," suggested Connie. "We can see so much
+better."
+
+The boys and Max delayed to inspect the empty secret passage,
+following to the spot where it was blocked by its stopper of
+stone. Then they joined the group in the study. In bright
+daylight, the fine workmanship on the Toledo steel trimmings of
+the chest stood out in full beauty.
+
+"The design on these buttons is very significant," remarked
+Colonel Lisle, who was inspecting the wreck of the once handsome
+coat. "And I suspect that they are of silver."
+
+Examination showed on the tarnished metal the three ostrich
+feathers that have marked the badge of the Prince of Wales since
+the far-off days of Edward the Black Prince. Below was the motto,
+"Ich dien," and the single letter C.
+
+"On my next new suit I guess I'll have buttons marked R," said
+Roger solemnly.
+
+The others laughed. A feeling of real awe had been creeping over
+them to think that garment had once been worn by Prince Charles.
+
+"Here's a loose button," said Max, picking it out of the box. "The
+whole coat is falling in pieces."
+
+"The buttons will last indefinitely," said Colonel Lisle,
+regarding thoughtfully the one Max had just rescued. "Thanks to
+Win's clever brain, the Manor has acquired an unsuspected secret
+passage and a valuable antique; of especial value to me because of
+the name it bears. I want you to keep this button, Win, for I
+think you, almost more than any one I know, will appreciate it and
+what it stands for."
+
+Win turned pale. To possess a silver button once the property of
+bonnie Prince Charlie rendered him speechless.
+
+"Oh, Colonel Lisle," he said after a minute, "I oughtn't to take a
+thing of such value. It belongs here."
+
+"I want you to have it, my boy," replied the Colonel kindly. "I
+really am indebted to you, for we have positive proof now that the
+Manor walls once sheltered the Prince."
+
+"I should value that button above all things," said Win simply,
+"if you really wish me to have it. Only it seems as though Mr. Max
+had done much more toward solving the mystery."
+
+"I merely followed the lead you gave me," said Max, who was
+looking at him with a very friendly expression. "You played a
+pretty fine game yourself, Win."
+
+"As for that," said the Colonel smiling, "Maxfield may have a
+button too, if he cares for it."
+
+"Thank you, Uncle Dick," Max replied promptly. "I do value it, but
+perhaps for the present, it would better stop with the others."
+
+As Max spoke, he looked not at the Colonel but at Constance,
+leaning against the table beside him. Something in their attitude
+struck Win's always acute perception. For the first time he
+doubted whether the young people of the Manor had been as
+genuinely absorbed in that search as he supposed. About Max, half-
+sitting on the corner of the study table, about Connie, with her
+hands loosely clasped before her, there was a certain air of quiet
+detachment, as of those who politely look on at some interesting
+comedy, but who, as soon as courtesy permits, will return to
+affairs of more importance.
+
+"You need not have the least scruple about accepting it, Win," the
+Colonel went on. "We hope this will not be your last visit to the
+island, but in any case, whenever you look at that old relic, you
+will have to give us a thought as well."
+
+Win turned the tarnished button on his palm. Yes, the sight of it
+would always bring back memories of the green lanes, the red
+cliffs, the turquoise sea of Jersey, not least the hours in the
+library, the Spanish chest and the Lisles of Laurel Manor.
+
+
+      *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+AFTERWORD
+
+
+After the story was finished and the characters were going away,
+Max and Connie turned back.
+
+"We have kept our promise?" they asked. "We have played quite
+nicely and haven't been silly?"
+
+"You have really been very good," admitted the author. "If Max
+hadn't appeared just when he did to rescue Edith and Frances from
+the tide, probably the story must have stopped there. And Connie
+has been most helpful about lending the Manor house and the beach
+dog."
+
+"May we play again?" Max asked.
+
+"I think not," decided the author. "This is five months later. You
+really must be grown-up now and stay so."
+
+"We have been all the time," said Connie. "We've pretended just to
+please you. But since you let us come into the story when we
+weren't expected nor invited, it is only polite to tell you what
+we are going to do now."
+
+They looked at each other and smiled.
+
+"Every girl who reads this story will want to know," Connie went
+on. "It would indeed be very diverting to be Princess Santo-Ponte,
+but somehow I think the chances of 'living happily ever after' are
+greater with Max. There's nothing at all romantic about marrying
+Max, but you might just mention that I'm going to do it."
+
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Spanish Chest, by Edna A. Brown
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SPANISH CHEST ***
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