"Well, we will see," she replied. "I have not to give notice to you anyhow. I am not your servant." "You are Mr. Swanland's, which is about the same thing," was the answer. "You chose to stay on after he took possession here for your own pleasure, and you will stay on now for mine, or else we will go before the nearest magistrate and know what he says on the subject." But he spoke to space, for Esther, too indignant to listen further, had already left the kitchen, and he was compelled himself to go out into the works and send a lad for the viands his soul desired. He had not finished his repast before a cab drove up, containing Messrs. Forde and Kleinwort. Turner, sauntering idly about the lawn, was accosted by them. "I want to see Mrs. Mortomley," Mr. Forde exclaimed. "She has not returned. She left yesterday, as Mr. Meadows told you, sir, with Mrs. Werner." "Yes; but she has come back here." "That she certainly has not," was the quiet reply. The two men looked at each other; then Mr. Kleinwort said, "We should like to speak just one word with that bright little maid, Esther I think you call her. Will you tell her so?" "I will find her myself," said Mr. Forde, and he strode into the house, followed by Kleinwort. As they entered the kitchen, Meadows, looking little better for his breakfast, rose to meet them. "Where is Mrs. Mortomley?" repeated Mr. Forde, evidently believing that iteration would bring him knowledge. "At Mr. Werner's sir," Mr. Forde muttered an impatient oath. "Where is that girl?--Esther, I mean." Mr. Meadows went in search of her, and when she appeared, Mr. Forde remarked once again, that he wanted to see Mrs. Mortomley. "She is not here, sir, she went away with Mrs. Werner yesterday." "Yes, but she left Mrs. Werner's last night, and you know where she is now." The arrow was shot at a venture, but it told. Esther coloured and looked confused. "Come now, tell us where she is," said Mr. Forde in his mildest accents. It was not of the slightest use trying to fence with the difficulty, so Esther grappled it. "I do not know, sir," she answered; thinking she might as well tell a sufficient falsehood when she was about it. "That is not the truth," remarked Mr. Forde. "And if I did know where she was, sir," continued Esther, "I should not give her address to you or any one else without her permission." "You are all a pack of thieves and swindlers together," observed Mr. Forde; including, with a comprehensive glance, Meadows and the two men and Esther, in the statement levelled against the Mortomley establishment; "and I don't know that I ought not to give you all in charge for conspiracy. I will send for a policeman, and see if he cannot induce some of you to find your tongues."