Wyn was a very sharp boy. He had been told by Edgar as little as possible, except as to the identity of the two strangers whom he had seen in the wood, as to which he was sworn to secrecy; but after puzzling a little over the message about the flowers he came to the conclusion that the best thing he could do was to keep Mr Edgar's appointment for him. He was detained all the morning by Mrs Elton, under whose superintendence he attended to the fancy poultry, to give them an extra cleaning, as Mr Edgar did not want him; and when he went home to dinner he found his own family in a state of excitement and hurry. Lady Carleton, at Ravenshurst, wanted a girl to help her nurse for a few weeks, and by favour of the wife of the Ravenshurst keeper had sent to see if Mrs Warren's niece could come over. Mrs Warren thought it a wonderful chance for Florence to try her hand at service in a good family, without being bound to a regular place, and Florence was just tired enough of the keeper's lodge to think that she should like the change. "I must take you over myself," Mrs Warren said, "and explain to her ladyship that you haven't things suitable at present for her household, but they shall be soon provided. She'll excuse it, as they want you to come this afternoon. You can put on your grey dress, and turn your hair up and brush back your fringe." "My fringe! Why, even the _generals_ at Rapley are allowed their fringes!" said Florence indignantly. "Very likely. But it's not the custom in good families," said Mrs Warren dryly. "I look to you, Florence, to do me credit where you go." Florence pouted a little, but just then Warren, who had come in to his dinner, said rather meaningly to his wife: "Mother, have you forgotten as Lady Carleton is Miss Lilian Fletcher that used to be? Maybe that will make an objection; it'd be best to name Florence, and make sure as she understands about her." Florence caught the words, and the confidence she had received about her brother from Wyn came, into her mind. So this was one of the owners of the jewels which Harry had been accused of stealing. Intense curiosity, and a sort of impulse for which she could not account, determined her on going to Ravenshurst at all costs. She went upstairs after dinner, screwed her hair up into a neat knot behind, brushed it back from her brows, and generally stroked herself down into a much tidier-looking young person than she had ever before appeared. Wyn had also heard the hint, and sat listening, open-eared, to the strange coincidence. "Wyn," said his mother, "it's a good thing Mr Edgar doesn't want you to-day. You get out the trap and bring it round by four o'clock so as to drive Florrie and me over to Ravenshurst, and then you can take it on to the junction and pick up Bessie and her things; I'll walk back through the wood." "But--but Mr Edgar sent word I was to get flowers."