Thinking that there might be some further scrap of information somewhere, Jannet began to examine the dusty articles under the shelf or bed. Any bedding that had once been there had probably been removed as soon as the fugitive had found it no longer necessary to stay there. These other things were of no particular value.
But Jannet had scarcely begun to move the round pewter pot from its long resting place when she heard a sound that startled her. She jumped to her feet with a moment's panic. Suppose Vittoria, for she was almost sure that the ghost was Vittoria, was hiding somewhere and--but a voice assured her, before she was fairly on her feet. There was Cousin Andy's dear head at the top of the secret stairs and peeping in. "What's all this?" he cheerily inquired. "Are you trying to burn up the house with a candle?"
"Oh no; I'm ever so careful,--but do look out, Cousin Andy, for those are bad stairs!"
"Would you care, then, if the old wreck got hurt again?"
"'Old wreck', indeed! You're the best first cousin that I've got, and I'm proud of your scars, if you have any!"
Andrew Van Meter entered and looked curiously around. "I see that there is a sliding door on this side, too, though Nell did not mention it. She had a telephone message from home, by the way, and left word for you that she was riding over later in the day if she could. She did not know where you were, she said, but when I heard the story I could pretty well guess."
"I did not realize that you all would be up, I've stayed longer here than I intended to. Oh, Andy,--Cousin Andy--I've found the most interesting messages in this old portfolio!"
"Take it with you, then, but I want to see first the way to the attic."
Cousin Andy needed no help up the little steps, but looked down at the ladder and the dark descent. "You were wise not to attempt that, Jannet," said he. "Yes, that must be an opening to the old tool house. That was a pretty clever stunt of the old codger who built this, with three ways of exit, through the attic, the tool house, and your mother's room. But I would not have cared to occupy that little room for any length of time. A six footer would almost graze the ceiling. Yet he could sit comfortably, or stretch out on that shelf."