The Secret of the Sundial / Madge Sterling Series, #3

nside

nd boldly upon her. Accordingly, the next morning, which was a school holiday, she and Cara Wayne dressed in

y. "Please say we may, for we want an excuse

ach would be received, but after the first

I'll be delighted to have you help. Goo

put other rooms to rights. The girls attacked the work with vigor. It progressed slowly for there wa

to her chum. "Miss Swenster doesn't say much about it bu

e. "I wish we could really do somethi

lves telling her about Skull and Crossbones and Cara's weird experience in connection with the midnight initiation. Miss Swenster expressed an interest in the se

have been," she declared. "

urned. "We thought possibly he might be digging fo

the girls quizzicall

afraid you girls have been listening to wild stories. T

t the pearl necklace?" Ca

lf, but according to the family legend, th

rly. At last they were to hear the true a

e. As you may know, the pearls were willed to my mother, Rose Swenster. That was her maiden name, of course.

she had been cheated in the will. She was so beside herself that she actually hid the

!" Cara e

mother never mentioned the pearls to me. I learned the tal

old where she hid the

ealized she could not get well, she tried to tel

st hint what became of

t. His name was George Andrew Jackson. He must have been seventy at the time Florence died. At a

never made?" M

s were carefully searched. As a child, I used to think perhaps I could

d even been guilty of trying to connect Miss Swenster's loss with the mysterious excavations of the midnight prowler. They were unwilling to beli

reminded me of it," Miss Swenster remarked

rently thinking that some explanati

. As a boy, he was inter

t Miss Swenster had not intended to speak of him. The words had slipped out unbidde

repare it. They worked through to four o'clock and as th

hough I can't see what fun you get

want pay. They really had enjoyed the day fo

hose pearls?" Madge inquired. "In sortin

smiled at he

sh, but don't be too di

he day had been a highly satisfactory one. The prospect of roaming over the old mansion at will was very all

klace before the mansion is sold," Cara mused.

go, she must have had a reason other than financial for closing

e he did that turne

hing disgraceful. I'd like to know what

sion the next night after school. In planning their searc

adge declared. "It may not be the pearls but at least it's worth investigating.