Now that the moment was at hand they were more excited than nervous, and their hearts beat high with the hope that they might really find a mystery hidden behind that locked door. But what could it be? The queer sounds and heavy musty smell of the attic that had seemed so dreadful to Billie on that never-to-be-forgotten night seemed natural and even funny in the revealing daylight. The shadowy corners that had seemed so sinister when lighted only by one tiny flickering candle were only corners now, cobwebbed and dusty, to be sure, but harmless. Mice scuttled across the floor squeaking angrily at being disturbed, but although Vi screamed and Laura side-stepped nervously, Billie only laughed. To-day they were only little mice more afraid of her than she was of them. That night they had been monsters waiting to devour her. But just the same, some measure of her nervousness returned when they reached the stairway down which she had nearly tumbled in her wild flight. Laura and Vi seemed to share her uneasiness, for they stopped at the foot of the stairs and held back a little. “Who goes up first to meet the skeleton?” asked Laura, with an attempt at a laugh that sounded strained even to herself. “You do,” said Vi, adding maliciously: “You were the one who said he wouldn’t hurt us.” Seeing that Laura was about to argue the point, Billie pushed impatiently past them both and ran defiantly up the stairs. Laura, thus challenged, took the stairs two at a time after her and Vi followed reluctantly. “Look! There’s the handkerchief,” said Billie, kicking the tiny square of blood-stained linen over toward Laura, who jumped nervously out of the way. “Well, you needn’t wish it on me,” she said resentfully, picking up the handkerchief by the very tip of a corner and presenting it to Billie with a low bow. “Here, take back your gold——” “What are you two whispering about?” demanded Vi, petulantly, for by this time she was beginning to wish she had not come. At her question Laura whirled suddenly about and poked the blood-stained handkerchief directly beneath Vi’s startled nose. “There,” she said. “Want it?” Vi gave one look, screamed, and fled down the stairs. She had gone only halfway, however, when Laura overtook her and dragged her back. “None of that,” she cried. “You can’t back out now. Besides, we’re only beginning to have some fun.” “Fun!” groaned Vi, keeping a wary eye on the handkerchief that Laura still held. “Well, I’m glad I know what to call it.” “Come on,” said Billie, jingling her rusty keys and starting up the ladder. “Now we’ll see whether one of these keys will fit.” “I hope it doesn’t,” said Vi, under her breath, but Laura caught her up sharply. “What did you say?” she demanded. “Oh—nothing,” said Vi.