Mrs. Yeoman was privileged; she had been at Haverton since she came as a girl over thirty years ago and by sheer worth had risen to the position of housekeeper, and ruler, at Haverton. Her husband had been a groom there. Sarah Yeoman practically ruled everybody and everything at Haverton; even Robert Rose, the butler, Amos Kidd, the head gardener, and all the rest of the male and female kind bowed down to her will. They bowed but did not worship; some of the maids--there were four--would have liked to pull her back hair at times and scratch her, but Sarah, although aware some feeling of this sort existed, went on her way serene and calm, knowing she was doing her duty. There was one thing about her: she was just, she held an even balance when there was a dispute; and Fanny, the head housemaid, who at times almost hated her, said she'd trust Sarah Yeoman under any circumstances to arrive at a right decision. She was slow to anger but when roused "all hands" fled from her wrath. With all her faults, there could have been no better woman chosen to take the helm at Haverton. She was loyal to the backbone; she considered the Woodridges the best family in Yorkshire, or any other shire. She felt the blow when Hector was condemned, and had not forgotten it, never would forget. She loved both boys in her motherly way, and, although Picton was her favorite, she held Hector in high esteem. She was surprised at Hector's falling a victim to a woman, she would not have been surprised had Picton done so. "No, I don't think there's a lady in the case," replied Picton, smiling. "At least I am not aware of it." "Sailors are sly," she said. "I thought Captain Ben was a favorite of yours," he said. "So he is, but sailors are sailors all the same, and there's no telling what he's up to on board the _Sea-mew_," she said. Picton thought she would be astonished if she knew what Captain Ben was up to. "I think I'll go to Bridlington to-morrow and see him," he said. "If you do, bring him back with you." "I will if possible." "Why should it not be possible? What's to hinder him from coming?" she asked. They would need her help later on, when Hector came to Haverton; he might as well tell her now: she was thoroughly trustworthy. "A strange thing happened when we were at Torquay," said Picton. She waited for him to go on. "Late one night, just before we sailed, an old boatman rowed across the bay to the _Sea-mew_ bringing a man with him." "Well?" she said anxiously.