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They reached the house at about eleven o’clock , dead tired and almost heartbroken . Washington and the twins were waiting at the gate with lamps . They had no news either . The police had found the travellers , but Virginia was not with them . They had left in a hurry only because they were late for a fair . They were very upset about Virginia , and four of them stayed to help with the search . The men searched the fish pond and every corner of the park . But they found nothing . In the library poor Mrs Otis was lying on a sofa . She was almost mad with fear , and old Mrs Umney was looking after her . Mr Otis made everyone eat some supper . It was a sad meal . Hardly anyone spoke , and even the twins were quiet , because they loved their sister very much . After supper Mr Otis sent everybody to bed . Nothing more could be done that night . They were just leaving the dining room when the clock began to strike midnight . At the last stroke there was a crash and a sudden cry . Thunder shook the house , and strange , beautiful music floated through the air . A wooden panel at the top of the stairs flew open . And out onto the landing stepped Virginia ! She was very pale , and she had a little box in her hand . In a moment they all ran up to her . Mrs Otis held her tightly in her arms . The Duke covered her with kisses . The twins did a wild war dance round the group . “ Good heavens , child ! Where have you been ? ” said Mr Otis rather angrily . He thought that she was playing a trick on them . “ Cecil and I have ridden all over the country . Your mother has been frightened to death . You must never play these jokes again . ” “ Except on the ghost ! Except on the ghost ! ” shouted the twins , and they jumped about . “ My darling , thank God we have found you , ” said Mrs Otis softly . “ You must never leave me again . ” She kissed the trembling girl and stroked her golden hair . X . The Almond Tree “ Papa , ” said Virginia quietly , “ I have been with the ghost . He is dead , and you must come and see him . He was very wicked , but he was really sorry for it . He gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died . ” The whole family looked at her in silent surprise . But she was quite serious . She led them through the opening in the wall and down a narrow secret passage . Washington followed with a candle . At last they came to a heavy oak door with rusty nails in it . Virginia touched it , and it swung open . They were in a little low room with one tiny window . A huge iron ring was fixed in the wall . A thin skeleton was chained to the ring , and it was lying on the stone floor . Its long fingers were reaching for an old plate and a jug . But they were just too far away . There was nothing on the plate but dust . The jug was green inside , because long ago there was water in it .
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