Itwasmoresolemnthanithadbeenthefirsttime。TheSquadfeltittremendously。BothCadandBenwereconsciousthatthrillsrandowntheirspinesintotheirboots。WhenMarcoandTheRatleftthem，theyfirststoodatsaluteandthenbrokeoutintoaringingcheer。
Ontheirwayhome，TheRataskedMarcoaquestion。
``DidyouseeMrs。Beedlestandingatthetopofthebasementstepsandlookingafteruswhenwewentoutthismorning？\'\'
Mrs。BeedlewasthelandladyofthelodgingsatNo。7PhilibertPlace。Shewasamysteriousanddustyfemale，wholivedinthe``cellarkitchen\'\'partofthehouseandwasseldomseenbyherlodgers。
``Yes，\'\'answeredMarco，``Ihaveseenhertwoorthreetimeslately，andIdonotthinkIeversawherbefore。Myfatherhasneverseenher，thoughLazarussayssheusedtowatchhimroundcorners。Whyisshesuddenlysocuriousaboutus？\'\'