"We _must_ hear this," said Shirley.
She turned, took her pistols from the table, silently passed out through the middle window of the dining-room, which was, in fact, a glass door, stole down the walk to the garden wall, and stood listening under the lilacs. Caroline would not have quitted the house had she been alone, but where Shirley went she would go. She glanced at the weapon on the sideboard, but left it behind her, and presently stood at her friend's side. They dared not look over the wall, for fear of being seen; they were obliged to crouch behind it. They heard these words,--
"It looks a rambling old building. Who lives in it besides the damned parson?"
"Only three women--his niece and two servants."
"Do you know where they sleep?"

"We must hear this," said Shirley.
She took her pistols from the table, silently passed out through the full-length French window of the dining-room, stole down the walk to the garden wall, and stood listening under the lilacs. Where Shirley went, Caroline would go. She glanced at the knife, but left it behind her, and presently stood at her friend's side. Crouching behind the wall, they heard these words:
"It looks a rambling old building. Who lives in it besides the damned parson?"
"Only three women - his niece and two servants."
"Do you know where they sleep?"
