it, in fulfilment of her threat to "get even" with Patty.

The summons over there had been a blind, to trick her into the room,
and now she was locked in!

Patty smiled at the silly ruse. The matter couldn't be serious,--she
could certainly get out some way, and get home in time to don her
costume and get to the circus, even if a little late. Unwilling to
cause unnecessary disturbance, she looked round the room to note the
exits. There was but one other door and that led to a dressing-room,
which in turn had a door opening into a bathroom. That was all. No
more doors were to be seen. The windows had no balconies, and being on
the second floor, there was no chance of escape thereby.

Patty looked around for a telephone, but saw none. She thought such an
elaborate household would have many of them, but realised that Ray
probably had a sitting-room or boudoir in addition to these rooms and
her telephone would be there. Patty knew the girl was an only child of
doting parents, and that she was spoiled and pampered to an inordinate
degree.

Patty considered. Doubtless Mr. and Mrs. Rose were not at home, or, if
they were, they would not answer a call, for Ray would have looked
after that. The servants, likewise, must have been ordered not to
release Patty, for Ray Rose was not one to do anything by halves, and
if she had planned to get Patty over there, she had also planned to
keep her there.

It was ridiculous, it was maddening,--but it was true. Patty was
locked in a room and could not get out. She hadn't heard a key turn,
but it must have done so. Peeping in the keyhole, she could see that
the key was in the lock, from the hall side.

Endeavouring to use her ingenuity, Patty tried to turn the key from her
side by means of a button-hook, a nail file, a hairpin, and a glove
stretcher. Needless to say her attempts were unsuccessful.

"I've heard of turning a key in its own lock," she mused, but she found
the feat impossible of achievement.

Again the chiming little timepiece reminded her that another quarter
hour had flown.

"Half-past seven!" she thought. "My dear Miss Fairfield, you have got
to do something pretty quick! Get busy! What would your favourite
heroes of wild romance do to get out of such a fix as this?"

When Patty was baffled, she always talked to herself. But her appeals
to herself or her ingenuity did no good, and after a thorough search
for a means of exit, she concluded to cal