--and boxes of silver things and
bank notes--won't she be rich? And he'd written it in an enigma--we
thought we were going to starve there like Ginevra--and we climbed down
through the portrait--oh, may we go and tell Monica about it now?"

"This is indeed a most extraordinary discovery," said Miss Russell, when
at length she had drawn from them a more lucid statement of affairs.
"Monica must certainly know, but no one is to tell her except myself. I
will go down presently to the cottage and see her, and warn her to break
the news very gently to her mother. If Mrs. Courtenay were to hear of it
suddenly, the shock might be exceedingly dangerous, in her weak state of
health."

The news that something of great importance had happened seemed to
spread like wildfire through the school. Both teachers and pupils,
abandoning their books, came crowding into the library to hear
particulars. Even the servants hurried to the spot.

"Oh, bless you, bless you!" cried Mrs. Wilson, who had pushed her way
among the girls to the central source of information. "This is indeed a
day of rejoicing--a day to remember and give thanks for to the end of
one's life!"

Lindsay and Cicely stared at her in amazement. Was it actually "The
Griffin" who was speaking? And were those tears that were trickling down
her hard cheeks? What did it mean? Was she acting a part? Or had they
after all misjudged her? There was no time then for either surmises or
explanations. They were the heroines of the hour, and had to repeat
their story afresh to those who had not yet heard it at first hand.

"We couldn't imagine where you were hidden," said Marjorie Butler. "We
were hunting in the picture gallery for ever so long. Beryl peeped
inside the settle, and said it was empty."

"We were still more puzzled when you didn't turn up for tea," said Nora
Proctor. "Do tell us again about the bags of money!"

Miss Russell, however, thinking the excitement had lasted long enough,
interfered and put a stop to the recital.

"Everybody must go back to preparation at once," she decreed. "Lindsay
and Cicely have had no tea. Are you hungry?" she added, turning to the
adventurous pair.

"Starving," they replied laconically.

"Then I will excuse your preparation to-night, and you may come with me
to the dining-room. It would be rather hard to expect you to set to work
upon lessons immediately after such an experience."

CHAPTER XVII

Good-bye to the Manor

Mo