"Yes, that first way will never do," said Mrs. De Peyster. "The second way is not a solution; it is only a means to a possible solution. But before I state the way, I must ask you, Olivetta, if any one saw you come in?" "There were a number of people coming and going, people preparing for the funeral--but I watched my chance, and used my latch-key, and I'm sure no one connected with the house saw me." "That is good. If any outsiders saw you, they will merely believe that you also were some person concerned in the funeral. As for my plan, it is simple. You must both slip out of here unseen; you, Olivetta, will, of course, say that you have returned to the city to attend my funeral. From the outside you both must help me." "Yes. But you, Caroline?" said Olivetta. "As for me, I must stay here, quietly, just as I have done for the last three weeks. I still have some supplies left. After everything has quieted down, I shall watch my chance, and steal out of the house late some night. That's as far as I have planned, but once away I can work out some explanation for the terrible mistake and then come home. That seems the only way; that seems the only chance." "You always were a wonder!" cried Olivetta admiringly. "Then you agree to the plan?" "Of course!" "And you, Matilda?" "Of course, ma'am." Thus praised and seconded, Mrs. De Peyster resumed some faint shadow of her accustomed dignity. "Very well, then. You must both leave here this instant." Olivetta threw her arms about her cousin's neck. "Good-bye, Caroline," she quavered. "You really have no hard feelings against me?" "No, none. You must go!" said Mrs. De Peyster. "I'm sure, with you in charge, it's all going to come out right!" said the clinging Olivetta hopefully. "You must really go!" And Mrs. De Peyster pressed her and Matilda toward the door. But midway to the door the trio halted suddenly. Coming up the stairway was the sound of hurried feet--of many pairs of feet. The footsteps came through the hall. The trio did not breathe. The footsteps paused before the sitting-room door. The confederates gripped each others' arms. "Are you sure you saw that person come in here?" they heard a voice ask--Jack's voice. "I'm certain." The voice that answered was Mary's. "I'll bet it was a sneak thief," said a third voice--Mr. Pyecroft's. "To slip into a house at a funeral, or a wedding, when a lot of people are coming and going--that's one of their oldest tricks." He turned the knob, and finding the door locked, shook it violently. "Open up, in there!" he called. The three clung to one another for support. "Better open up!" called a fourth voice--Judge Harvey's. "For we know you're in there!" Breathless, the trembling conspirators clung yet more desperately. "But how could she get in?" queried the excited voice of Mary. "I understood that Mrs. De Peyster locked the door before she went away."