"Mr. Allinson told me that no papers were needed, I was to pay the rent to a man called Judson. He came here and said that there had been some mistake. The rent was ten pounds more and I must share the cost of the alterations, while the field adjoining, which must go with The Firs, would be another extra. When I declared I couldn't pay all this he said I was undoubtedly liable, but he could find another tenant who would take the house off my hands." "I see a clerical finger in this pie," said Wannop half aloud, and smiled at his hostess. "I beg your pardon. I suppose you didn't know that this is Andrew Allinson's house." Mrs. Olcott started and colored. "I did not know. But if it is, I can't understand why his agent--" "Somebody is back of him. Now we had better be candid. I venture to believe you can confide in me." "What proof can I have of that? You are a connection of the Allinsons, who seem bent on persecuting me. Have they sent you here?" "Hilda did," Wannop replied with quiet good-humor. "Perhaps I had better say that on some points she and I are not quite in accord with the rest of the family. I suppose Andrew promised your husband to look after you until his return?" Mrs. Olcott agreed, for her suspicions about his errand had vanished. Wannop mused for a few moments. "I think you should stay here and fight it out until he comes back," he said. "After all, your neighbors are honest as far as they see, and you'll find them ready to make amends." Mrs. Olcott's eyes sparkled, but she hesitated. "I'm afraid I can't hold out. They have attacked me where I'm weakest." "Will you leave the matter of the house to me? It can be put right." "Why are you willing to take the trouble?" Wannop laughed. "For one thing, I enjoy putting a spoke in the parson's wheel; for another, Andrew made you a promise, and the Allinsons like to keep their word." He got up and held out his hand. "I'll have a talk with Mr. Judson. Show your courage and hold your ground. You'll be glad you did so by and by." The next morning Wannop called at the agent's office in a neighboring town. He was shown into a dingy room, where an elderly man with spectacles received him with deference. "I've been looking into accounts, Judson," Wannop began abruptly. "After deducting your commission and the cost of the repairs you agreed to, I find that the return on my property for the past year is small. Now I met Maxwell the other day and he hinted that it might be managed to better advantage." The agent looked alarmed. "I understood you didn't wish to put the screw on your tenants; and it isn't good policy." "No," said Wannop; "I want to be fair. I don't think Andrew Allinson would wish any undue pressure put on his tenants either. As we talk over things now and then, I know his views." Judson pondered this without answering, and Wannop resumed: