Providence crossed her arms, uncrossed them then crossed them again. "This is madness!"

"Call it what you like, Rovy, I've made up my mind," Ottaline said cracking a nut and popping it into her mouth. She had mended their mother's dancing costume and now stared at it where it hung in the attic light.

"You just want to be near him!" Providence sneered.

"No, I just want to help," Ottaline said. "You have an assignment and so does Mr. Idris. Since I've been stuck in bed all this time I have little to do but cook and clean."

"And who will do all of that while you are away?" Providence asked.

"Gee, Rovy, it's not hard to use a spatula or a broom," Ottaline said then laughed when her sister shot her a sour look. "I'm going and that's final. There won't be much to look after with just you and Mr. Idris in the house. But you can't tell anyone my plan."

"Because your last one went so well." Providence said pointedly.

"What last one?"

"Sneaking into the Blue Roof Inn!" Providence said, "Oh and our boat ride, going into the mausoleum, following Mr. Idris here...let's face it, Ottaline, you're always getting me into trouble."

Ottaline brushed the nutshells from her lap. "But I always get you out of trouble," she said. "Sneaking into the inn got Mr. Idris to help us. Following him here brought us closer to bringing justice to our parents. Going into the mausoleum gave us a piece of mother." She extended her arm to the costume. "As for the boat ride...well I'm sorry about that and you know I am but you can't argue that much of my...detective games, have brought good."

Providence crossed her arms tighter. "You are unfortunately right," she said stealing a nut. "Only this time you can't persuade me to help."

"Well at least you are letting me go," Ottaline said as she got up. She stepped outside the little tent and breathed in the attic air. "I'm not afraid at all you know. I'm ready for whatever comes next."

/

How long do you think you will be gone?" Idris asked Granville over supper.

"I'm not sure," Granville said. "But I don't want Esau Richmond to know that I have left."

"I don't think you'll be able to hide that," Idris said then sipped his drink. "He has eyes all over this town. And he shows up uninvited."

"Well I'll be leaving out on an early train tomorrow," Granville said. "I'm eager to see what Thomas has planned."

Providence looked at her sister next to her as the conversation continued around the table. She could see the determination in Ottaline's face and knew there would be no stopping her. It was madness but madness was better than inequity.

That evening they all listened to the piece Granville played on the piano in silence. It was an upbeat piece that was meant to encourage them but instead plunged them all into deep thought. When dancing hour rolled around the girls were more than ready to do-si-do and it was then that spirits truly began to be raised as Turkey in the Straw rang out gaily from the piano.

They stayed up late for one planning to rise in the early hours. Playing and dancing and singing to song after song.

/

Providence awoke to see Ottaline seated at the edge of the bed pulling on her stockings. She sat up and rubbed her eyes. She could hear birds singing outside and rustling in the trees.

"Is it time already?"

Ottaline looked over her shoulder then got up from the bed. "Yes," she said picking out her blue gingham dress, her bonnet and cape.

Providence watched her dress then crawled to the end of the bed. "Are you sure you want to do this?" she asked.

"I have to," Ottaline said. "That's how I feel about it, Rovy. This is our business too and it's not right that Mr. Heritage goes alone. I...he'll need me."

Providence swallowed. "I understand," she said. "Just be careful. If Mr. Richmond catches you..."

"I'd be more worried about him catching you," Ottaline said.

"But what about breathing?" Providence asked. "It's a long ride."

"I'll come out when he's sleeping," Ottaline said. "Don't you worry about me, Providence Sabbath. I'm a detective, remember and I always do what I can." She planted her hands firmly on her hips. The light of dawn began to creep across the floor and she sighed. "Well...do I get a proper send off."

Providence threw her arms around her sister and squeezed her tightly. "Godspeed, Ottaline."

Ottaline broke the embrace. "You too," she said. With that she slipped out of the room.

Providence sunk back into the bed smearing tears from her face. She was happy that her sister was willing to spend the night with her seeing as it could be the last they had together.

Ottaline tiptoed down the stairs. Seeing no one in the hall she slowly pushed open the door to Granville's bedroom. A candle was lit by the empty bed. She listened carefully and heard dishes moving around in the kitchen. There was a faint knock at the door and the scrapping stopped. As foot falls sounded toward the hall she ducked into the room leaving the door only slightly ajar.

"Hope I'm not too early." She heard the coachman say.

Ottaline went over to the luggage and looked down at the forest green trunk. She was happy Mr. Idris had suggested one large trunk rather than the small one stating that he didn't know what he might have to bring back.

Ottaline smiled to herself at this convenience. She opened the lid and looked inside. Two changes of clothes and a pair of boots, a Bible and the gloves she had given him. Without further hesitation she climbed inside, bending her knees up to her chest. She then pulled down the lid and heard the latches jingle against the locks.

"Right this way, please." The voices entered the room a moment later.

"Is that all?" The coachman asked. He latched the trunk closed then grabbed the handles. "Ah, what are you carrying in hear, the Nile river?"

Ottaline waited for an answer but only heard a muffled response from the next room. Soon she heard Granville's voice getting louder as he came back into the room. "Do...you need help."

"Oh no, sir," the coachman groaned. "I do this...all the time." He hoisted the trunk on to his bent back and took labored steps out of the room. "I do say, it's a good thing this was downstairs."

Ottaline felt rocky bumps as they walked down the porch steps. She then heard the slick grass under their feet, then the sound of jingling reins. She felt a bump and a creaking sound. "I'll just latch this on to the back if you don't mind sir."

Granville nodded as he climbed inside the coach ready to get this part of the trip behind him. He wasn't sure what would be waiting for him in Illinois.

The coach lurched forward, rocking up the road toward the depot. Granville looked out the window toward the Richmonds' house. A faint glow came from the kitchen door alone, spreading across the yard and reaching toward the terrible wood.

Ottaline stayed silent the whole ride. It was stale inside the trunk. She hadn't thought she'd be craving fresh air so soon. She could hear the familiar sounds of the depot. She felt the trunk lift from the back of the coach to be placed heavily on the platform almost making her cry out. She then suddenly felt gravity increasing on her head as she slid to the top of the box; the weight of her body on her neck. She was rolling. She could easily recognize the sound of the wheels right by her head.

She felt a jostle and a bump then a dragging sound followed by a thud which landed her flat again. She sighed relief as the blood flowed away from her head. In the next second she heard a grunt and she was moving again.

"Watch the walls, don't bump the passengers' luggage." Someone scolded from outside.

She heard another person mumble under their breath then the sound of a door sliding open. She was shook to the left as the trunk was sat down on its side then pushed over flat spilling her back to the bottom.

"Hope nothing valuable was in there," she heard a voice say and another laugh. She then heard the door slide closed and she let out her breath. It must have only been a minute or less then the door opened again.

"You're here, sir, first class," A mature voice said. "My apologies for the mistake."

"Not to worry," Granville said.

"Um, this is your luggage, correct?" the voice asked.

"Yes sir, thank you," Granville said.

"We'll be pulling out shortly."

Again the door slid closed. She heard Granville sigh then remove his jacket. His foot bumped the trunk as he moved around the room.

Ottaline listened for him to say something but realized that was foolish since no one else was in the room. She didn't how long she laid there exhausted and wanting to sleep before the train whistle sounded and they started forward.

/

"Providence!" Idris shouted through the smoke filled house. "Providence!"

Providence looked up as he came onto the back porch and stuffed the rabbit back in its cage. She gapped at the burned frying pan he held in his hand. "What happened I only walked away for a second to feed Bambi and Racket?"

Idris dumped...whatever it was off the side of the porch. "Were you feeding the chickens too?" he asked.

Providence turned around and gasped at the escaped hens flitting about the yard. She ran to collect them but Idris stopped her.

"Why are you doing all these things at once, where is your sister?"

Providence looked down at her shoes.

Idris raised his brows. "Is she sick?"

"No, sir."

"Is she in town?"

"Not by this time."

"The coast?"

"Not in that direction."

Idris let out a long sigh. "The train?"

"I tried to stop her!" Providence exploded. "But she insisted. She had her mind all made up without me. I didn't know what to do! I'm sorry."

Idris nodded. "I see," he said. "Well we can't run down the train, and by now I'm sure Granville has found her and plans to send her back at the next station. There is nothing we can do but wait for a telegram. And find something recognizable to eat for breakfast."

"I'll cook something. Just as soon as I round up the chickens."

Idris looked down at the condition of the frying pan. "You round up the chickens," he said. "I'll put on a pot of leftovers."

/

Ottaline jumped awake at a knock on the door.

"Would you like breakfast, sir, it is included with your fair?" The same voice from before asked.

"Yes, please."

"And what would you like?"

"Eggs?"

"We do have eggs would you like bread and bacon with that."

"That will be fine."

"Apple or orange juice?"

"Apple please, thank you."

Ottaline felt her mouth watering at the thought of food. She sighed measurably when she heard the door close and wished the man would come back and put in an order of hash browns and a biscuit or two. Breakfast was served and she could tell by the sudden heat that the sun was on the rise.

She wiped her forehead and took a deep breath. She tried pressing her lips to the crack in the trunk to get a taste of the cool outside air but this only hurt her neck. With a sigh she dropped back down.

Granville put the paper he had been reading aside when he heard the muted thud. It was too loud to have come from the outside of the train. He got up and checked the door but found no one there. He closed the door back and locked it shut. He started to ignore the sound when a faint cough reached his ears. He looked down at the trunk at his feet. Maybe it wasn't his after all and someone was transporting an animal, though he had never seen one trapped without any holes for air.

He flipped the latch and raised the lid.

Ottaline sat up quickly filling her lugs with fresh air and gasping for more.

"Ottaline, what on earth are you doing here?" Granville demanded. He looked at the door and lowered his voice. "Are you insane to sneak on here like that?" He went over to a small round table and filled a glass with cold water and gave it to her. "Drink."

Ottaline emptied the glass then begged silently for more. Finishing half of the second one she rested to catch her breath. She felt like she had run ten miles on the hottest day of the year. Slowly she turned to Granville who's concerned face and turned into a frown. Explaining it to Providence had been easy.