“What could they know?” Cora had demanded sullenly. “If you keep a close tongue in your head, nothing will get out.” “You’re the one that has the wagging tongue,” Henry returned crossly. “I’d feel better if Trent would get back here. I’m for gittin’ the thing over with as quick as we can. No telling what may queer the deal.” This snatch of conversation set Doris and Kitty to thinking anew of the sinister plot which was brewing. Yet, until they had learned more about Ronald Trent, they did not wish to alarm the Misses Gates. Since their arrival, Azalea and Iris had been very kind to them and had seemed to enjoy their company a great deal. Cora and Henry Sully had been most unpleasant, especially when there was no one about to observe their behavior, but the girls, knowing what lay behind the sullen actions, did not permit themselves to become annoyed. “They mean to make it so unpleasant for us that we’ll leave,” Doris declared. “You know, Cora was hinting today that the mansion is haunted!” “What!” “Yes, she said that since Mr. Gates died, they have heard strange noises here at night.” “Doris, do you believe the place is—” “Of course not,” Doris laughed reassuringly. “You’re old enough to know there aren’t any ghosts.” “Yes,” Kitty quavered, “but this house is old, and we have been hearing strange noises at night.” It was true that each night the girls had been disturbed by loud groans and the sound of gruff voices. Doris had wondered if Cora and Henry Sully were trying to frighten them, for certainly it was not the wind that they heard. It was lonesome and gloomy in the right wing of the old mansion and the girls had come to dread the nights. They would have been less nervous if Wags had been permitted to stay with them, but he had been consigned to the shelter of the porch. Several times Doris and Kitty had been tempted to tell the Misses Gates everything they had learned, but knowing how partial the two ladies were to Ronald Trent, they hesitated. It would be better, they decided, to wait for the plotters to make the first move. Doris had wondered if Dave would visit her at the mansion but she had not dared to hope that he would come for at least a week. On the afternoon of the third day she was, therefore, greatly surprised when she heard the rhythmical hum of an airplane motor. “I wonder if it can be Dave?” she exclaimed to her chum. Eagerly they watched as the plane swept closer. Then Doris recognized the familiar craft and scarcely could contain her excitement. The monoplane circled low and Dave waved to them. Finally he dropped a note to Doris telling her that he intended to come to see her soon. After that he turned back toward the airport. “I suppose he’s just out for a trial flight today,” Doris declared. When Kitty was not looking, she carefully folded the note and placed it in her pocket for future reference.