The next morning came at last, however, and as it was Sunday, the girls were free to go as soon as the morning chapel hour was over. But as Miss Walters would not allow any girl to leave the building without special permission from her, the classmates were forced to go to her and tell her about their invasion of the tower room and their discovery. She was displeased that they had not asked her consent before taking such a step. But she was also very much interested in their story, and readily gave them her permission to go to Polly Haddon. “Bring her back with you, if you can,” she said, “and we will all go together to the tower room.” “Now for the fun!” cried Laura, as a few minutes later they stepped out into the crisp air. “Whew! I think we got off lots better than we expected. I thought Miss Walters would be awfully mad.” “Probably she would have been if she hadn’t had so many other things to worry about,” said Vi. “Poor Connie!” said Billie. “It surely is too bad about her watch. It was a beauty, and she was so proud of it.” “I hope Miss Walters finds the thief pretty soon,” said Laura, frowning. “Everybody thinks it is one of the girls, and I’m even beginning to feel guilty myself.” “Do you think——” Vi began, then flushed as the girls looked at her and stopped. “What?” asked Laura adding, as Vi still hesitated. “Come on—we won’t eat you.” “Nothing—only—I was wondering if the thief might not be Amanda.” “Oh, no,” cried Billie quickly. “I’m sure it couldn’t be, Vi.” The suggestion from Vi startled her, and it troubled her too, for the very reason that the same idea had been in her own mind. And suddenly Laura spoke up in support of Vi. “I shouldn’t wonder if Vi is right,” she said. “Amanda is mean enough for anything.” Billie had no answer for that, and so she said nothing. But she was more than ever troubled. As they neared the little white cottage that had seen so much trouble, they forgot Amanda in anticipation of Polly Haddon’s joy at the good news they were bringing her. They knocked on the door, and the moment it was opened pushed eagerly inside and turned to face the astonished widow. Billie started to speak, but Laura, with her usual impulsiveness, was before her. “We’ve got good news, Mrs. Haddon,” she blurted out. “We’ve found your lost invention.” Billie gasped with dismay as Mrs. Haddon turned deathly white and grasped the back of a chair for support. “Oh, Laura, you shouldn’t!” cried Billie, as she put an arm about the woman and helped her into a chair. “Get some water, quick! There’s a glass in the sink.” But Mrs. Haddon brushed her impatiently aside. “I’m not going to faint,” she said brusquely. “Tell me why you said that. Hurry!” But Laura thought she had done enough speechmaking for one day, and it was Billie who answered the woman’s questions.