ncealment crouched a white-clad
figure. Geraldine took it by the arm and hauled it unceremoniously
forth. It issued chuckling, and, as its cowl fell back, disclosed a
well-known and decidedly mirthful countenance.

"Stars and Stripes!" ejaculated Jess.

"The game's up!" proclaimed Diana coolly. "You two"--nodding at the
seniors--"have been too many for me."

"I always thought you were at the bottom of all this, Diana Hewlitt!"
said Geraldine. "I was quite determined I'd catch you. Take those
things off at once. What are they? Sheets? Fold them up properly; don't
trail them on the floor. Do you know that if anybody in the school had
had a weak heart you might have killed her by playing such a trick?"

"I knew you were all too strong-minded," twinkled Diana. "Of course,
nobody believed in Brother Lawrence, any more than they believed in the
fairies or the gods of Greece. I guess it's rather nice sometimes to
make a sort of practical demonstration of one's reading. It shows one
appreciates the books and takes an intelligent interest. There are heaps
of good books in the library. I'm going to borrow _Customs and
Superstitions of the Celts_."

"You may borrow what you like," said Geraldine grimly; "but if we've any
more of this business Miss Todd will settle it herself; so I tell you."

"People who provide entertainment are rarely thanked," sighed Diana, as
she folded the sheets. "I ought to receive a stipend for keeping the
school amused."

"You'll receive something you don't bargain for, if you don't take
care," warned Geraldine. "Go downstairs, all of you!"

That Brother Lawrence was identical with Diana did not very much
surprise the school, but everybody went crazy over the discovery of the
secret hiding-place under the stairs. Even Miss Todd had not known of
its existence. Diana confessed that she had found it out quite by
accident, had rushed downstairs to communicate the thrilling news, but
had changed her mind as its obvious advantages flashed across her. She
had not been able to resist making use of it to play a ghost trick. The
little chamber which she had so unexpectedly brought to light was only
just big enough to crouch in, and had probably been made in the
troublous times of the Stuarts as a place of temporary concealment when
the Abbey was searched by soldiers. Unfortunately it was quite empty.

"When I first opened it I expected to find a hoard of spade-guineas or
silver punch-bowls," said Diana ru