Leavesley was now fuming about the studio. What on earth had possessed Bridgewater? How on earth had he found out about the affair, and how had he come to twist Epping Forest into the Zoological Gardens? "----_and_ shut them again," resumed Miss Hancock. "However, it is none of my business, but if there is such a thing as honour you ought, in my humble opinion, to go to your uncle and tell him the state of your feelings towards Miss Lambert." "I'll go," said Leavesley--"go to the office to-day; and if uncle chooses to keep that antiquated liar of a Bridgewater in his service any longer after what I tell him, it will be his own look-out." Miss Hancock had not reckoned on this, she looked uncomfortable. "Bridgewater is an honourable man, who has acted for the best." "I know," said Leavesley. "Now, I must go out; I have some business. Are you sure you won't have some tea?" "No tea, thank you," replied Miss Hancock, rising to depart. CHAPTER VII THE UNEXPLAINED It was just as well she refused the tea, for there was no one to make it. She had hypnotised Belinda, and Belinda coming out of the hypnotic state was having hysterical convulsions in the kitchen, assisted by the charwoman. "Belinda," cried Leavesley down the kitchen stairs, he had rung his bell vainly, "are you there?" "She's hill, sir," replied a hoarse voice, "I'm a-lookin' arter her." "Oh, well, if a Mr Verneede calls, will you ask him to wait for me? I'll be back soon." "Yessir." He left the house and proceeded as fast as omnibuses could take him to Southampton Row. Bridgewater was out, but Mr Wolf, the second in command, ushered him into Hancock's room. "Well," said Hancock, who was writing a letter--"Oh, it's you. Sit down, sit down for a minute." He went on with his letter, and Leavesley took his seat and sat in a simmering state listening to the squeaking of the quill pen, and framing in his mind indictments against Bridgewater. If he had been in a state of mind to absorb details he might have noticed that his uncle was looking younger and brighter. But the youthfulness or brightness of Mr Hancock were indifferent to him absorbed as he was with his own thoughts. "Well," said Hancock, finishing his letter with a flourish and leaning back in his chair. "Aunt came to see me to-day," said Leavesley, "and I came on here at once. It's most disgraceful." "What?" "Bridgewater. You've got a man in your office who is not to be trusted, a mischief-making old----" "Dear me, what's all this? A man in the office not to be trusted? To whom do you refer?" "Bridgewater." "Bridgewater?" "Yes." "What has he been doing?" "Doing! He has been sneaking round to my aunt telling tales about a lady; that's what he has been doing." "What lady?" "A Miss Lambert. He told her she had been to the Zoological Gardens with----" Hancock raised his hand. "Don't go on," he said, "I know it all." "You know it all?"