As the door was locked, the person outside began to knock.
"I must have locked the door," added the book-keeper. "Wait till I open it."
As soon as the noise outside reached his ears, Hal made for the closet, which stood in one corner of the room. He found the door unlocked, and the interior empty, save for a broom and a duster and several similar things.
He entered the closet, transferring the key to the inside as he did so, and locked the door behind him.
A second later Hardwick entered from the inner room, and opened the door leading to the hall.
"Hullo, Churchley!" Hal heard him exclaim.
"How are you, Hardwick?" returned the new-comer. "Locked me out, did you?"
"I must have turned the key without thinking," replied the book-keeper.
"All alone?"
"No, there is a young fellow with me."