“This upsets me terribly,” said Nance. She pressed her hand to her forehead as she spoke. “I said there would be crooked work and all kinds of unpleasantnesses,” said the detective in a dry tone. He rose as he spoke. “Can you oblige me with fifty pounds on account?” he asked. “I will go to my room and fetch it,” answered Mrs. Rowton. She ran upstairs and entered her little boudoir. To her annoyance she found that her maid, Hester, was standing over her writing table. The girl had a duster in her hand which she began to use assiduously when Nancy appeared. “I want this room—will you leave me?” said her mistress. “Yes, ma’am, certainly. I was just dusting the ornaments on your table—I had no time to look after them properly this morning. I am going now to the conservatories to pick some fresh flowers for these vases.” “Thank you. But leave me now,” said Nancy. Hester slowly left the room. Mrs. Rowton hastily unlocked her secretary, and taking out her cheque book, filled in a cheque for the amount which Crossley had demanded, and went downstairs. The detective took it without a word. “I have just time to catch my train,” he said, looking at his watch as he spoke. “I shall expect to hear from you, madam, in a day or two with regard to the new footman.” “Yes,” answered Nance. “You shall hear from me.” The man left the library and a moment later his footsteps might have been heard crunching the gravel as he walked away. Hester Winsome, from an upper window, looked after his retreating form. “I guess who you are,” she said to herself. “You don’t know all that I know. Some day perhaps you and I may be friends, there is no saying. Ah! my young lady, you’re a deep one, but you are not quite as deep as Hester Winsome yet.” As Nancy was leaving the library she came suddenly face to face with Mrs. Ferguson. “I beg your pardon, madam,” said the housekeeper, “but may I speak to you for a moment?” “Certainly,” answered Nance; “is anything the matter?” “I am ashamed to trouble you, Mrs. Rowton. It is about that tiresome George—he has just given notice to leave.” “George,” said Nance with a start, her colour flushing; “I thought that you liked him.” “He is an excellent servant, madam, and gives complete satisfaction; but the fact is, he has taken fright on account of the new safe. The safe arrived this morning and the men have been busy putting it up all day. It is a wonderful safe, and they tell me there is not a burglar in the land who can break into it. It is worth your while to come and see it, ma’am.” “So I will presently,” answered Nance; “but tell me now about George.” “Well,” said Mrs. Ferguson, “I never knew before that the lad had nerves; but nerves he has and no mistake. The men called him to help them move the plate into the safe. It was evidently a surprise to him to see such a heap of splendid plate, and he came to me afterwards all white and trembling.