"She likes light."
"Well, I'll be hanged!" exclaimed Tom.
"And I'll be jiggered!" added Nat.
"The poor old man!" whispered Dorothy, venturing to take a step toward
him. "And to think we were afraid of him!"
"Were!" remarked Tavia significantly. "I'm just scared to death this very
minute. Suppose he screams again?"
"What if he does?" Dorothy whispered back. "Surely he has more cause to
fear us than we have to fear him. I'm going to--help--with things."
Abe stood with wide-open mouth surveying "the ghost."
Tom and Nat had brought the relief supplies from the wagon--old Abe's
strongest carry-all--which had successfully weathered the snowdrifts
between Tanglewood Park and The Cedars.
"It's stopped snowing," announced Nat cheerfully. "Guess we will be able
to make it all right by daylight."
"Fall in! fall in!" called the major, making a place for Captain Mayberry
on the end of the seat that served as table and chairs collectively.
It was a queer meal--but a delightful one.
The relief that Major Dale brought was not in food alone.
"And there's the coffee!" he announced. "Will one of you boys just let
that stand on the stove in the captain's private room?"
Tom jumped to comply. He readily found the means of lighting the secret
room, and soon found other conveniences, such as water and cooking
utensils.
Captain Mayberry had not forgotten how to eat.
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