l into the nut cubby-hole," explained Grandma Ford. "There are
many nut trees on Great Hedge Estate, and the Ripley family used to
gather the nuts and store them here in the attic to dry. But the rats
and mice used to take a great many of the nuts, so they built a sort of
big box down in a hole in the floor. The hole was there anyhow, being
part of the attic. But it was lined with tin, so the mice could not gnaw
through, and the nuts were stored in it.

"I meant to tell you children to look out for it, as it is like a hole
in the floor, though it is not very deep, and one end slopes down, like
a hill, so you slide into it instead of falling.

"But I forgot about it, and I forgot that the cover has been off the nut
cubby-hole for some time. So Margy, walking in the dark corner, slid
into this hole."

"That's what I did," said the little girl. "I slid just like going
downhill."

"That's why she disappeared so suddenly," went on Grandma Ford. "The
tin, being smooth, didn't hurt her a bit, as she slid. And it is very
dark in there. But after this I'll keep the cover on, so no more of my
little Bunkers will get into trouble."

By the gleam of a candle which she lighted, Grandma Ford showed the
children the nut cubby-hole into which Margy had fallen. Then the cover
was put on so there was no more danger.

"And now you may go out and play in the snow," said Mrs. Bunker. "I have
unpacked your rubber boots and old, warm coats, so run out and have some
fun."

Laughing, shouting, and whooping, the six little Bunkers ran out to
play. It was their first sight of Great Hedge in winter by daylight,
and Russ and Rose paused for a moment after getting out of doors to look
at the big house, on all sides of which was the tall hedge.

"It's a terribly big house," said Russ to his sister as they tramped on
through the white snow. "I wonder what part the ghost lives in, don't
you?"

"I thought he was up in the attic, and took Margy," said Rose.

"So did I, at first," admitted Russ. "But I don't guess he stays there.
I guess the ghost lives down cellar. We'll hunt for him after a while,
and Grandpa Ford will be glad we found him."

But it was now such a fine, sunny day outside, after the storm, that the
six little Bunkers thought of nothing but having fun. They raced about
in the snow, threw soft balls of it at one another, and then went out to
the barn.

Dick, the hired man, was there feeding the horses, and the children saw