"Some fellow's been to the door and locked it on the outside."




XV

THE WISE BIRD IN THE DARK


It was very dim in the Mission church. Angela had not realized how dim
until she heard the news announced through Billy's nose. They were locked
in!

Somebody had been to the door, somebody had locked it on the outside, and
it was deep twilight, almost night.

Suddenly it seemed completely night. The colours of the old vestments
still glowed in the dusk, like smouldering coals in a dying fire; but that
was because of the rich tints, and because the eyes gazing at them were
accustomed to darkness. Looking up at Nick to see what his silence meant,
and whether he were nonplussed or merely deciding on a plan of action,
Angela could hardly make out his features. She could see clearly only his
eyes, luminous and gray.

"What shall we do?" she asked. Her voice sounded appealing, like that of a
child.

"Don't worry, Mrs. May," said Nick, with sudden cheerfulness. "We'll get
out all right. I was just studying what must have happened. That's why I