uch the ground till
we got in the drive here," observed Thomas wisely, whereat the girls
laughed merrily.

Ruth started to go down and put on her storm curtains. Bab ran after her
to assist.

"Oh!" cried Barbara, as an icy blast smote her in the face the moment
she stepped out into the open.

"You had better run back and put something over your head," advised
Ruth.

For answer, Barbara pulled out her handkerchief, binding this over her
head. The two girls, after no little effort, succeeded in putting the
curtains up, though the wind made their task doubly difficult.
Finishing, they ran into the house with benumbed fingers and cheeks
aflame. They rushed to the nearest fireplace, to which they pressed
closely until the odor of scorching cloth warned them to beware. Olive
and Grace had come downstairs, for dinner was on the table. A tray had
been taken up to Mollie, but she did not care to eat, and had soon after
fallen into a restful doze.

"You haven't told us what you found in that great, deep hole," urged
Olive, after they had been seated for some little time.

"Oh, I forgot," answered Barbara. "Everything has been moving so rapidly
that I haven't had time even to think. I found--I mean Mr. Stevens found
something. But I am afraid it doesn't help us much."

"Bob found something?" cried Olive. "Oh, tell us about it."

"Yes, he found a metal box in the chimney. In it there was a watch that
belonged to your scalped ancestor--I beg your pardon. I shouldn't have
said that. Your father has the watch. Well, inside the back case was a
tiny slip of paper with the funniest picture you ever saw. There was
some writing beneath the picture. I'll show it to you. I believe it
means something, but I can't understand it at all."

"All rubbish," observed Mr. Presby. The master of the house already had
shown the watch to Mrs. Presby, and had explained the manner of its
finding by young Stevens.

Bab was searching through her pocket for the slip of paper. She had her
handkerchief in her hand, together with some other articles that the
pocket had held. Going clear to the bottom, she groped with eager
fingers. Her face grew a shade paler.

"You haven't lost it?" begged Ruth.

"Oh, I am afraid I have!" gasped Barbara, turning her pocket wrong side
out. "I--I must have dropped it in the garret. May I be excused while I
go up to look for it?"

Receiving permission, the girl ran hurriedly up the garret stairs, first
having sna