It was just the clue Dr. Knox had been wishing for. But he did not think the whole fault lay with the wind: he had another idea. * * * * * Lefford had a shock in the morning. Bertie Tamlyn was dead. The news came to Dr. Knox in a note from Mr. Tamlyn, which was delivered whilst he was dressing. "You will stay for the funeral, Arnold," were the concluding words. And as Dr. Knox wanted to be at home a little longer on his own account, he wrote to London to say that business was temporarily detaining him. He then went to see what he could do for Mr. Tamlyn, and got back to Rose Villa for dinner. Watching for an opportunity--which did not occur until late in the afternoon--Dr. Knox startled the servants by walking into the kitchen, and sitting down. Mrs. Knox had gone off in the pony-chaise; the children were out with the new governess. The kitchen and the servants were alike smartened-up for the rest of the day. Eliza, the cook, was making a new pudding-cloth; Sally was ironing. "I wish to ask you both a few questions," said Dr. Knox, taking out his note-book and pencil. "It is not possible that Miss Carey can be allowed to lie under the disgraceful accusation that was brought against her, and I am about to try and discover what became of the bank-note. Mrs. Knox was not in the house at the time, and therefore cannot give me the details." Eliza, who had risen and stood, work in hand, simply stared at the doctor in surprise. Sally dropped her iron on the blanket. "_We_ didn't take the note, sir," said Eliza, after a pause. "We'd not do such a thing." "I'm sure I didn't; I'd burn my hands off first," broke in Sally, with a burst of tears. "Of course you would not," returned Dr. Knox in a pleasant tone. "The children would not. Mrs. Knox would not. But as the note undoubtedly disappeared, and without hands, we must try and discover where the mystery lies and how it went. I dare say you would like Miss Carey to be cleared." "Miss Carey was a downright nice young lady," pronounced the cook. "Quite another sort from this one we've got now." "Well, give me all the particulars as correctly as you can remember," said the doctor. "We may get some notion or other out of them." Eliza plunged into the narration. She was fond of talking. Sally stood over her ironing, sniffing and sighing. Dr. Knox listened. "Mrs. Knox left the note on the table--which was much strewed with papers--when she went out with Lady Jenkins, and Miss Carey took her place at the accounts," repeated Dr. Knox, summing up the profuse history in a few concise words. "While----" "And Miss Carey declared, sir, that she never saw the note; never noticed it lying there at all," came Eliza's interruption. "Yes, just so. While Miss Carey was at the table, the alarm came that Master Dick had fallen out of the tree, and she ran to him----"