"My goodness me! No!" cried 'Phemie. "I never want to see him again."
The professor was already aiming for the stairs, and he quickly disappeared. Harris turned to the still shaking girl.
"What's it all about, Miss 'Phemie?" he asked.
"That's what I'd really like to know myself," she replied, eagerly. "He is after something----"
"So my father says," interposed Harris. "Father says Spink has something hidden--or has made some discovery--up there in the rocks."
"I don't know whether he really has found what he has been looking for----"
"I wish we knew!" cried 'Phemie. "But we don't. At least, _I_ don't--nor does Lyddy. But he tried to buy the farm of Aunt Jane once--only he offered a very small price.
"He has been hanging around here for months trying to find something. He got into the old offices to-night, and tried to break into grandfather's desk----"
"We want to look into this," he said. "I hope you and your sister will not refuse my aid. This Spink may be more of a knave than a fool. Now, go back to bed and--and assure Miss Lyddy that I will be only too glad to help 'thwart the villain'--if he really has some plan to better himself at your expense."
'Phemie picked up her quilt, locked the green door, and returned to her room. Throughout all the excitement Lyddy had slept; but 'Phemie's coming to bed aroused her.
The younger girl was too shaken by what had transpired to hide her excitement, and Lyddy quickly was broad awake listening to 'Phemie's story. The latter told all that had happened, including her experiences on the night they had come to Hillcrest. There was no sleep for the two girls just then--not, at least, until they had discussed Professor Spink and the secret of the rocks at the back of the farm, from every possible angle.
"I shall tell him that his absence will be better appreciated than his company--at once!" declared Lyddy, finally.
"But sending him away isn't going to explain the mystery," wailed 'Phemie.
In the morning, before many of the other boarders were astir, the two girls caught the oily professor just starting off with a handbag.
"You'd better get the remainder of your baggage ready to go too, sir," said Lyddy, sharply, "for we don't want you here."