"Then we'll do it!" Sim decided. "Arden, you get the prize of a fur-lined Santa Claus suit in which to make the announcement to Granny!"
"Oh, won't it be fun!" sighed Terry. "How long until Christmas?" and she began to count on her fingers. The ankle was now being all but forgotten.
"Then we'll regard it as settled," said Arden. "I'm so glad I thought of this, and so glad you mentioned having it in the Hall, Dot. Things are looking distinctly brighter; in fact, they begin to shine!"
"In spite of the fact that we haven't solved the mystery," added Sim.
"But we shall!" predicted Harry. "I'm going to be around here for some time after Christmas on that bird-sanctuary business, and the mystery is going to be solved before the birds settle down."
"Let us help," suggested Arden. "Don't forget we had 'firsties,'" she finished, dimpling like a little girl.
"I'll let you help, gladly," Harry answered. "In fact, I'm counting on it."
"Well, if we're going riding, let's go!" proposed Sim. "Poor Dick is waiting. Probably he wants the commission he'll get out of our business to buy Christmas presents with."
The girls scurried out to get into riding togs. Harry Pangborn was wearing what would be all right for his ride as the rig had been chosen for his woodland work. He looked well in windbreaker coat, cap, leather puttees, and his knickers were genuine Scotch plaid.
Sim, before going to dress, sent Moselle to tell Dick to bring around four horses and then supplied Terry with books to read in bed while she would be alone.
"Sure you won't be lonesome?" Sim asked, smoothing down the spread.
"Not at all. I shall probably read myself to sleep," Terry promised.
Dick and a younger helper were soon back with the mounts, and they all started gayly out in the snow, which was falling faster than ever. But it was a dry, fine snow that did not melt on one's garments or get in wet around one's neck. Even the horses seemed to like it; this friendly snow.
"Which way shall we take?" asked Sim as they started out.
"Let's go round by way of the Hall and--have a look at the prospects," suggested Arden, warning her companions with a look not to say too much about Granny's Christmas party before Dick. The details were to be a sort of surprise, though the old lady might have to be told that the young people wanted to use that one big room in her former home for a little festivity. The Hall being locally famous, that arrangement would be reasonable enough.