Come, and I'll see
you home."
"Mabel lives at the Towers," said Gerald, as the stranger turned
into the broad drive that leads to the big gate.
"No relation to Lord Yalding," said Mabel hastily " housekeeper's
niece." She was holding on to his hand all the way. At the servants
entrance she put up her face to be kissed, and went in.
"Poor little thing!" said the bailiff, as they went down the drive
towards the gate.
He went with Gerald to the door of the school.
"Look here," said Gerald at parting. "I know what you're going to
do. You're going to try to undo that door."
"Discerning!" said the stranger.
"Well don't. Or, anyway, wait till daylight and let us be there. We
can get there by ten."
"All right I'll meet you there by ten," answered the stranger. "By
George! you're the rummest kids I ever met."
"We are rum," Gerald owned, "but so would you be if Good-night."
As the four children went over the smooth lawn towards Flora's
Temple they talked, as they had talked all the morning, about the
adventures of last night and of Mabel's bravery. It was not ten, but
half-past twelve; for Eliza, backed by Mademoiselle, had insisted
on their "clearing up," and clearing up very thoroughly, the "litter"
of last night.
"You're a Victoria Cross heroine, dear," said Cathy warmly. "You
ought to have a statue put up to you."
"It would come alive if you put it here," said Gerald grimly.
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