explain to you here," whispered Phyllis. "It would take too
long. Come along with me and see for yourself. It's perfectly safe.
There's not a soul around. I've been in the house. Bring Rags along--it
won't hurt. There have been queer doings here to-day--evidently. You can
see it all in five minutes. Do come!"

In spite of all her previous fears, the temptation was too much for
Leslie. If Phyllis had examined the ground and found it safe, surely
there was no need for fear, and her curiosity to see what her friend had
seen was now stronger than she could resist. She crept softly out of the
window, speaking to Rags in a whisper, and the dog leaped lightly out
after her.

They stole around the corner of the next house, three black shadows in
the enveloping mist, and not till Phyllis had closed the side door of
Curlew's Nest behind them was a word spoken.

"Follow me into the living-room," she ordered, "and if you don't see
something there that surprises you, I miss my guess!"

She switched on the electric torch, and Leslie and Rags followed after
her in solemn procession. From what she had said, Leslie expected to see
the place in a terrible disorder, at the very least, and was considerably
surprised, when she came into the room, to observe nothing out of its
place. In some bewilderment she looked about, while Phyllis stood by,
watching her.

"Why, what's wrong?" she whispered. "Everything seems to be just as it
was."

"Look on the center-table!" commanded Phyllis, and she turned the torch
full on that article of furniture.

Leslie tiptoed over to examine it. Then she uttered a little
half-suppressed cry. On the table was a slip of paper--not a very large
slip, and evidently torn from some larger sheet. And on this paper were a
few words, type-written. She bent to read them. It ran:

It is advisable that the article stolen from its hiding-place be
returned to it as speedily as possible, as otherwise, consequences
most serious to all parties concerned will result.

Leslie turned deadly pale as she read it and seized Phyllis spasmodically
by the arm.

"Oh, come out of here this moment!" she exclaimed. "I will not stay in
this house another instant. I told you it was dangerous!" and she dragged
her friend, with the strength of terror to the side door.

Outside, as the chill mist struck her, she breathed a great sigh of
relief.

"What a little 'fraid-cat you are!" laughed Phyllis. "What in the world
were y