“I don’t see how the Misses Gates can stand to live here all the time,” Kitty said as they turned toward the side door where Wags was to be tied for the night. “I’d be a nervous wreck. I wish they would hurry up and tell you why they invited you here.” “So do I,” Doris returned earnestly. “I am sure they haven’t told us all of their story. To speak of the past revives old memories and they keep putting it off. Ronald Trent may come back any day now and I want to learn just how matters stand before he gets here.” CHAPTER XIII AN IMPORTANT REQUEST Doris and Kitty spent an unpleasant night in the right wing, for, as they had anticipated, the weird noises began shortly after they had retired. Once, hearing footsteps near their door, they clutched each other in an agony of fear, but the sound soon died away. They were on the verge of falling asleep when a strange noise from a distant part of the wing roused them into wakefulness. “This is terrible!” Kitty whispered. “What can be going on in this dreadful house?” “Perhaps it’s only Cora or Henry astir,” Doris suggested, but the explanation did not satisfy her, and Kitty refused to be comforted by it. For long hours the girls lay awake, but once asleep nothing disturbed them and they awoke in the morning feeling refreshed in spite of the harrowing night. “It’s always something of a surprise each morning when I wake up and find I’m still alive,” Kitty laughed. At breakfast Iris chanced to remark that an old croquet set had been stored in the attic and Doris and Kitty asked if they might use it. “Certainly,” Iris assured them. “I’ll get it out of the attic for you.” “Oh, let us get it ourselves,” Doris begged. “I just love to poke around in attics. It’s on the third floor above our wing, isn’t it?” Azalea and Iris exchanged quick, startled glances. “Oh, no,” Iris returned hastily. “The attic is in the left wing.” “But I thought there was a floor above our bedroom,” Doris said, somewhat puzzled. “We’ve been hearing such queer noises at night.” “Mice undoubtedly,” Azalea explained and arose from the table. “If you want to see the attic, come with me.” They went to the kitchen for a lantern and then mounted the stairs to the third floor above the left wing. Azalea unlocked the door and told them to look about as much as they liked. After Azalea had gone back down stairs, Doris whispered to her chum: “Didn’t you think the twins acted funny when I asked about the third floor on our wing?” “Yes, I did, Doris. They switched the subject, too.” The attic was something of a disappointment, for it was very clean and tidy. A number of boxes lined the walls, but each was plainly labeled as to its contents. Flashing the lantern about, the girls saw that they contained blankets, woolens, old clothing, and numerous other articles.