Katherine was the only one who was not enthusiastic over the adventure.
She hung back a little and wanted to know what Belle had been afraid of.

"Oh, I don't know. It was so dark, and mysterious, and creepy; but it was
such fun!"

"We shan't mind if we are all together," said Rosalind, reassuringly.
"We'll pretend we are storming a castle to rescue somebody."

If it occurred to any of them that it might not be exactly right to break
into a closed house in this fashion, the idea was quickly dismissed.

Jack was watching for them, sprawled at his ease on the grass by the
window. He was rather proud of having been the discoverer of it.

In the heart of the country it could hardly have been quieter than it was
in the Gilpin grounds that afternoon. Now and then some vehicle could be
heard going up or down the hill, or the whistle of a canal-boat broke in
upon the drowsy droning hum that was part of the summer stillness. There
was no one to interfere. Even if Celia brought her work to the arbor, it
was on the other side of the house, out of sight and hearing.

The first obstacle the expedition encountered was the impossibility of
Maurice's getting through to the stairway with his crutch. It was plain
that it was out of the question, yet it was terribly hard to give up.
There was a spice of daring in the adventure that appealed to him. For a
moment he had a most uncomfortable sensation in his throat; and the old
pettishness returned as he thundered at Katherine, in response to her
reiterated, "You mustn't do it, Maurice," "I wish you'd hush. I know what
I can do!"

"We are dreadfully sorry, Maurice, but you can keep watch and give the
alarm if any one comes," said Belle.

Rosalind's oak leaf, as she stood before him, recalled him, and suggested
that here was a hard thing to be bravely borne.

"Go on," he said; "I'll wait for you here. I don't mind." His tone was
almost cheerful. His ill temper came near getting the better of him
however, when Katherine insisted upon staying too. Katherine couldn't
understand that people sometimes did not want to be pitied; and she was
not very anxious, if the truth were known, to join the exploring party.

There was no way of escape for her. The others were too urgent, and
Maurice did not want her.

"There is an imprisoned maiden in the tower, and we are going to rescue
her." As she spoke Rosalind pointed to the garret window.

"What fun! Come on," cried Belle.

Jack had alread