"Now," I said triumphantly, "we shall get a peep inside the enchanted
ground. This _is_ a `find' of mine. Confess, Zella, that I have done
more in a few days towards unearthing the mystery than you in twice as
many years."
But Isabel looked too frightened to take the matter lightly.
"Don't speak so loud, Regina," she said in a half whisper; "some one may
be near us, inside."
She was quite pale with excitement, yet, timid though she was, her
curiosity, as well as mine, was thoroughly awakened.
"We may as well glance in," she went on, "if we are very, very careful.
Just give a look round, Regina," and she drew back to allow me to do so.
I obeyed her cautiously. All seemed safe; there was no one in view or
within hearing.
"It is all right," I said, withdrawing my head; "we may go in a few
steps, I am sure, without danger."
"Well, first draw-to the door a little," said Isabel sensibly, "for fear
of any passer-by noticing that it is open."
When we found ourselves fairly within the grounds, we looked at each
other before we looked at anything else. I could not repress a
half-nervous laugh.
"Don't you feel like a detective or a conspirator?" I said.
Isabel grew still more frightened.
"Oh, if _you_ are going to begin to feel like that," she exclaimed, "we
had better go back at once. I am trembling so that I can scarcely
stand."
I was very far from wishing her to put her threat into execution, so I
at once hid my nervousness and replied lightly, though still speaking in
low tones--
"You are too silly! Who could blame us for glancing inside an open
garden-door? And at worst, you have never said that the Grim House
people were at all ogreish! See there, Isabel; do let us go as far as
that clump of bushes. I have an idea that from behind them we could see
the house."
I walked on a few steps boldly, my companion following me more
leisurely. My idea was correct, as we rounded the clump in question, we
did come into view of the house, and--of something else too.