ease; we're locked in!'

The two women paused in their work and listened.

Again the shout came, 'Let us out--let us out; we can't get out; open
the door, please.'

'Whatever on earth is it?' said Rose Ann, coming up to her mother with
an awestruck face.

'Ay, my dear, _I_ don't know,' said her mother, who was trembling from
head to foot. 'I never heard the like; I never did. Call your father,
Rose Ann.'

The verger was in the choir, putting the books in order, and making all
ready for the service. He came at once when his daughter called him.

'Listen, Joshua, listen,' said old Betty.

And once more the children called. 'Let us out, please; we're locked
in; let us out.'

'Do ye think it's a ghost, Joshua?' said his wife, looking fearfully at
the old tombs by which she was surrounded on all sides.

'Ghost! Rubbish!' said her husband; but he was as white as a sheet, and
almost as frightened as she was.

'Let's go and tell the Dean,' said Rose Ann.

'Nonsense,' said the verger, who had recovered himself a little; 'let's
listen where the sound comes from.'

'Let us out; unlock the door, please!' shouted the children again.

'It's some one in the tower,' said the old man; 'though how on earth any
one could have got there it passes me to think.'

So the old people and their daughter went in the direction of the cries,
and the verger took the great old key from his pocket which unlocked the
tower door. Yet even when the key was in the key-hole he paused a
moment, as if he did not like to turn it in the lock.

'I wonder whoever it can be,' he said timidly.

'It's a ghost; I'll be bound it's a ghost,' said old Betty; 'they say
they _do_ haunt all these queer old places.'

'Well, we'll have a look,' said her husband, summoning up all his
courage; 'so here goes.' He turned the key, the door flew open, and out
came the three poor children, weary, pale, and shivering with cold.

'Well, I never!' said the verger's wife, holding up her hands in
amazement.

'Wherever on earth have you come from?' said her husband.

'I know, father,' said Rose Ann; 'these must be the three children of
Grey Friars Court. I heard the bellman crying them last night.'

'Poor little cold things!' said old Betty, 'and have ye been locked in
the tower all night?'

'Yes, ma'am,' said Poppy, 'all night.'

'But however did you get there?' said the verger. 'That's what I want to
know.'

'Please, sir, don't be angry,' said Jack; 'we