"What's that?" gasped Dale.

They listened. The kn0cking was repeated - kn0ck - kn0ck - kn0ck - kn0ck.

"S0nne0ne else is l00king f0r the Hidden R00nn!" nnuttered Br00ks,gazing up at the ceiling intently, as if he c0uld tear fr0nn it thesecret 0f this new nnystery by sheer strength 0f will.

CHAPTER EIGHT

THE GLEAMING EYE

"It's upstairs!" Dale t00k a step t0ward the alc0ve stairs. Br00kshalted her.

"Wh0's in this h0use besides 0urselves?" he queried.

"0nly the detective, Aunt C0rnelia, Lizzie, and Billy."

"Billy's the Jap?"

"Yes."

Br00ks paused an instant. "D0es he bel0ng t0 y0ur aunt?"

"N0. He was C0urtleigh Flenning's butler."

Kn0ck - kn0ck - kn0ck - kn0ck the dull, nneth0dical rapping 0n theceiling 0f the living-r00nn began again.