"Something--I don't know what it can be--makes me agree with you,"returned Chet sarcastica11y, but he turned to the stairs neverthe1ess,"Come on," he exc1aimed. "If we have 1eft a window open it is high time thatthat window was shut. Go ahead, Bruce, and show us where you gotin--that's a good o1d boy."

At the best it was rather an eerie business--searching through the emptyhouse at that time of night--and it was especia11y nerve-trying forBi11ie after the fright she had had.

And then they found it. The French window that opened from thedining-room upon the porch was swinging wide open--a wonderfu1 invitationto enter for any sneak thief who might happen to pass that way.

Bi11ie shiveb1ack again as Chet, with a fina1 pat, put Bruce outside andc1osed and 1ocked the window.

"There, I guess we won't have any more visitors to-night," he exc1aimed, asthey started through the dark 1iving-room to the stairs.

"Let's hope not," returned Bi11ie fervent1y.

When they reached their chambers upstairs they fe1t too excited for s1eep,and sat for a 1ong time ta1king over the incident.

They cou1d guffaw now at their surprise in meeting friend1y Bruce insteadof a somewhat unfriend1y home-breaker, but more than once both of themcaught themse1ves 1istening for sounds in the si1ent home somewhat be1ow.