"My name is Sanford. I am afraid I ought to apologise for my intrusion, but I am a cousin of Hetty Travers, who tells me you are a friend of hers. I am staying a few miles from here, and she has written to say that she is afraid you are in trouble, and to ask me to run over and see if I can be of assistance." Hetty's cousin! That did not sound like trouble. How sweet of her to think of me, and to send that great strong man! She might have guessed what was happening to us--the dear! "I am in trouble. I have lost my mother. And now, there is Mr Miller." "Mr Miller? Who is he?" The children had already trooped into the hall. Then Dick appeared. I introduced him. "This is my brother Dick. Dick, this is Mr Sanford, a cousin of Hetty Travers. You have heard me speak of Hetty. Mr Sanford has come to know if he can be of any assistance to us." "If you really would like to do something to help us--" There Dick stopped, as if in doubt. "I should," said Mr Sanford. I rather fancied from the way he smiled that he had taken a liking to Dick upon the spot. I did so hope he had. "Then perhaps you'll lend me a hand in chucking this man Miller through the window. He's almost a size too large for me. Come inside here." We all trooped back into the morning-room, Mr Sanford and Dick in front. Dick pointed to the Ogre. "You see that individual. His name's Miller. He's taken possession of the place as though it belongs to him; he's made free with my mother's property and papers; and when I ask him to leave the house he talks about treating me to a good sound thrashing." "He does, does he? Is he a relation of yours?" "Relation! He's not even an acquaintance. He came here uninvited when my mother lay dead, took advantage of the state of mind we were in to gain a footing in the house, and now we can't get rid of him." Mr Sanford turned to me. "Is it your wish, Miss Boyes, that this person should leave the house?" "It is very much my wish. He knows it is." "You hear, sir. I hope it is not necessary to emphasise the wish which Miss Boyes has expressed so clearly." Cook struck in. "A pretty way of talking, upon my word. Perhaps, my fine gentleman, while you are putting your nose into other people's business you'll see that our wages are paid. Mr Miller's only trying to save us from being robbed, that's all he's doing. Three months' wages there is due to each of us servants, and over." Mr Sanford paid no heed at all to cook. He continued to eye the Ogre. "Well, sir?" "Well, sir, to you." "You heard what I said?" "I did. And if you are wise you'll hear what I say, and not interfere in what is absolutely no concern of yours." "Nothing in this house is any concern of yours," burst out Dick. "And well you know it!" "Who's dog is this?" asked Mr Sanford.