rtainly if she likes; but no more please. Two are quite enough."

"Right-o! I won't breathe a word to the others."

Accordingly, when Miss Chatham told her party to collect their umbrellas
and go, Marion asked and received permission for herself and Lesbia to
remain for ten minutes longer with Miss Renton. The rest of the girls
had seen all they wanted and were anxious to hurry off home. Even Regina
did not hint for an invitation to join the favoured pair. Their
footsteps echoed through the big hall as they walked away. Miss Renton
looked after them, then closed the door of the museum.

"I don't want any more of the public coming in to-day," she declared.
"If I open the show-cases we must have the place to ourselves."

[Illustration: SHE SQUEEZED THROUGH THE FRAME WITHOUT MUCH DIFFICULTY
_Page 245_]

Then followed a very pleasant ten minutes which lengthened into half an
hour. The girls were allowed to inspect and even to handle many of the
beautiful curios. It was delightfully flattering to have cases unlocked
specially for their benefit, and much more interesting than seeing the
exhibits among a crowd.

"I've a box in here that I haven't had time to unpack yet," said Miss
Renton, leading the way into a small stone ante-chamber which opened out
of the museum. "This little room was once an oratory. It's only lighted
by a lancet window. I use it as a store cupboard, because it's too dark
to hold a show-case."

Kneeling on the floor in the ante-room the girls watched Miss Renton
unpack some further treasures, then held up the lids of the show-cases
while she bestowed them in their due places.

"It's quite nice to have two assistant museum-keepers," she laughed.
"These great glass lids are so heavy I never dare to lift them without
someone to help me. If one dropped back there would be a smash."

At last everything was arranged, the cases were locked, and the keys
returned to Miss Renton's bag. She put on her waterproof, took her
umbrella, and prepared to leave the museum. But when she tried to open
the old oak door it was fast shut. She turned the ancient handle and
tugged and pulled, but all in vain. Then the horrible truth burst upon
her.

"We're locked in!" she gasped.

There was no possibility of doubt about it. It was quite easy also to
see how it had happened. When the museum was on view the door was
propped open to admit the public, the curator always shut it before she
left, and as she walked across t