"I have. There are one or two more matters which I have not yet mentioned to him, so I shall be glad to see you again in half an hour," Mr. Ravenor remarked, glancing at his watch. Mr. Marx nodded to me in a not unfriendly manner, and, lifting a curtain, which I had not noticed before, disappeared into a smaller apartment. Mr. Ravenor waited until he was out of hearing and then turned towards me. "I do not know whether it is necessary for me to mention it, as you may possibly not come into contact again," he said slowly; "but in case you should do so, remember this: I wish you to have as little to do with Mr. Marx as possible. You--" He broke off suddenly and I started and looked round, half amazed, half frightened. The continuous sound of an electric-bell, which seemed to come from within a few feet of me, was echoing through the room. CHAPTER X. LADY SILCHESTER. Mr. Ravenor sat like a man stunned by a sudden shock, while the shrill ringing grew more and more imperative. Then suddenly, when I least expected it, he spoke, and the fact that his calm, even tone betrayed not the slightest sign of agitation or anything approaching to it, was a great relief to me. After all, his silence might have meant indifference. "Go over there," he said, pointing to the corner of the room from which the sound came. I did so and saw just before me what seemed to be a dark mahogany box let into the wall. "Touch that knob," he commanded, "and put your ear to the tube." I had scarcely done so when a quick, agitated voice, which I recognised as the voice of the man who had admitted me at the lodge gate, began speaking. I repeated his words to Mr. Ravenor. "I am very sorry, sir; but while I stepped in here to announce her, Lady Silchester has driven through. She is alone." Mr. Ravenor made no sign of annoyance or surprise. I could not tell whether the news was a relief to him, or the reverse. "Is there any answer, sir?" I inquired. "Yes. Tell him to come to the steward for his wages in an hour's time and be prepared to leave this evening." I hesitated and then repeated the words. Mr. Ravenor watched me keenly. "You are thinking that I am a stern master," he said abruptly. It was exactly what had been passing through my mind and I confessed it. He shrugged his shoulders. "I like to be obeyed implicitly, and to the letter," he said. "If a quarter of the people who present themselves here to see me were allowed to pass through to my Castle, my leisure, which is of some value to me, would be continually broken in upon. Anderson has been careful hitherto, however, and this must be a lesson to him. You can tell him as you go out that I will give him one more chance." I rose, with my cap in hand, but he waved me back. "I have a letter to write to your mother," he said, drawing some notepaper towards him. "Wait a minute or two."