But Miss Gault had already given to practical concerns all the energy she could spare just then.

“How lovely this place is at night!” she said, as they passed under the Abbey-wall. “I wonder if Mr. Otter is right and it is really the coffin of King Aethelwolf that they’ve found.”

They reached the main entrance to the building, and to their surprise they found it open.

“Let’s go in for a minute,” said Wolf. His companion assented in silence and they entered together.

“I would have liked to have that child to live with me,” murmured Miss Gault; “but it would have been cruel to the cats⁠ ⁠… she’s grown so rough to them lately⁠ ⁠… and she’s not always polite to Emma.”