ered. Both
entrances had been carefully blocked up for many years, and he hoped the
secret of their existence had been forgotten. He had not explored that
part of Sir Leopold Coke's property since he was a young man, and he was
not pleased to find that his children had shown more inquisitive
interest in these dangerous places. There was no time for asking how
they made their discoveries. Their energies must be devoted to the
rescue of Alan. Alan, they found, when they let a rope down, weak and
shaken as he was, could yet tie the rope round his waist, and steady
himself as he was drawn up the shaft. He got better as soon as he began
to walk, but the Colonel thought it best to put off all questions till
the morning.

Bootles, after Alan's rescue, left the passage most unwillingly. His
behaviour was inexplicable. He kept running backwards and forwards in
the strangest manner. Marjorie wondered what was the matter with him,
and the Colonel impatiently called him to heel.

'One would imagine something was wrong,' he exclaimed, annoyed by the
dog's whines.

Marjorie related what had happened in the cave.

Scarcely had she spoken when James, Lady Coke's butler, stepped out of
the shrubbery path--

'My lady has sent me for Lady Estelle, sir,' he said.

CHAPTER IX.

The shadows of evening were deepening into night before any alarm about
Estelle had been felt at the Moat House. The weather being fine and
clear, it was scarcely dark even at eight o'clock. The moon, now just
past the full, almost turned night into day. Lady Coke had felt no
uneasiness, therefore, when seven o'clock came. She imagined Estelle had
been invited to spend the evening at Begbie Hall. Hitherto, however,
whenever the cousins wanted her to remain, a message had been sent, in
order to spare Aunt Betty any anxiety. But no such message had been
received, and the clock having struck eight, then nine, without the
little girl appearing, she grew anxious. Mademoiselle Vadevant was also
becoming fidgety, though she strove to hide it.

'It is time for Estelle to be in bed,' remarked Lady Coke, at last. 'I
am surprised that Mrs. De Bohun has kept her so late. Has Nurse gone for
her?'

'Oui, madame; more than an hour ago.'

'Nine o'clock is very late for young children to be up. Will you kindly
ring the bell? I will send James to bring her back without further
delay.'

Mademoiselle offered to go herself, but Lady Coke insisted on
dispatching Ja