tched up one of the lanterns. She searched the garret floor,
paying especial attention to the spot where they had been standing when
discussing the find. She found no trace of the missing slip. Next
Barbara examined every inch of the stairs, then entered Mollie's room on
tip-toe, but with no better success. Every nook and corner where she
could remember to have been on both floors was searched in vain.

"I think I can tell you where you lost it," volunteered Ruth Stuart "You
took out your handkerchief to put over your head when we were outside
covering the car. You must have pulled the paper out with the
handkerchief."

"Then I must go outside and look for it," wailed Bab. "I simply mustn't
lose that paper. It may mean everything to you all. Oh, I must find it."

"Silly! You won't find the paper if it has been dropped out of doors. On
a night like this it has probably blown far away," interposed Olive.
"Don't worry. It isn't worth it. Hunting for the Treasureholme treasure
brings nothing but tears. Forget it all and be your own bright little
self."

Barbara Thurston struggled with her emotions for a few heart-breaking
seconds, then burst into tears.

CHAPTER XVII

A LONG-REMEMBERED CHRISTMAS

THERE had been an air of new mystery about Treasureholme for the last
three or four days. Packages large and small, all addressed to Mrs.
Presby had been delivered from the city. Mysterious conferences were
being held between Mrs. Presby and this and that girl. Each of the
"Automobile Girls" appeared to be bursting with the burden of the secret
she was carrying about with her.

The explanation of all this mystery was that it then lacked but two days
to Christmas. Bab had in a measure recovered from her disappointment and
chagrin at losing the slip of paper found in the chimney, and strange to
say she had wholly forgotten the words that were written on the little
slip. All the information that Robert Stevens could give her was that it
was something about a "minute." The excitement under which all hands
were laboring at the time of the find, perhaps might be blamed for their
short memories. However, there was no help for the disaster now. The
coming holiday served to take their minds from the subject of the buried
treasure, though now and again Tom brought in reports of having seen
strange men in the grounds out near the woods. One evening the girls had
been frightened almost to the verge of hysterics by discovering