CHAPTER VI
The Secret Panel
“Where shall we hide him?” Elfrida asked impatiently.
Cousin Bet, fired by Elfrida’s enthusiasm, jumped up and began to finger the carved flowers above the chimneypiece.
“The secret room,” she said; “but slip the bolt to and turn the key in the lock.”
Elfrida locked the room door, and turned to see the carved mantelpiece open like a cupboard.
Then Elfrida flew to the window and set back the casement very wide, and in climbed the beautiful gentleman and stood there, very handsome and tall, bowing to Miss Betty, who sank on her knees and kissed the white, jewelled hand he held out.
“Quick!” said Elfrida. “Get into the hole.”
“There are stairs,” said Betty, snatching a candle in its silver candlestick and holding it high.
“BETTY HANDED HIM THE CANDLE.”
T
