It was shortly after midnight that she heard a faint but unmistakable creaking on the tin roof of the veranda. She sat up. Some one was about to pass her window. She sprang out of bed, crossed the room softly, and lifted the edge of the curtain. A figure was almost crawling past. It was a woman's figure; the stars gave enough light to define its outlines at close range. She had a shawl over her head, but her angular body was unmistakable. She was Miss Trumbull. Betty dropped the curtain and stared into the darkness. "Whom is she watching?" she thought. "Whom is she watching?" She went back to bed and listened intently. In half an hour she heard the same sound again. "She is going back to her room," thought Betty. "What has she seen?" The next morning she sent for Miss Trumbull to come to her room. She had no intention of asking her to sit down, but the woman did not wait to be invited. She took a chair and fanned herself with a palm leaf that she picked from the table. "Lawsy, but it's hot," she said. "I had a long argument with Miss Walker yesterday about New York State bein' hotter 'n down South, and she wouldn't believe it. But I usually know what I'm talkin' about, and hotter it is. I near lost my temper, for I guess I know when it's hot--" "What were you doing on the roof of the veranda last night?" asked Betty, abruptly. Miss Trumbull turned the dark ugly red of her embarrassed condition. "I--" she stammered. "I saw you. Whom were you watching?" "I warn't watchin' anybody. I was takin' a walk. I couldn't sleep." "You know perfectly well that the roof of a veranda is not intended to be walked on. Your curiosity is insufferable. I suppose it has become professional. Or are you hoping for blackmail? If so, the hotel is the place for you." This time Miss Trumbull turned purple. "I like money as well as anybody, I guess," she stuttered; 'but I'd never sell a secret to get it. I ain't low down and despicable if I am poor." "Then you admit it is mere curiosity? I would rather you stole." "Well, I don't steal, thank heaven. And I don't see any harm in tryin' to know what's goin' on in the world." "Read the newspapers and let your neighbours alone, at all events the people in this house. I have twice seen you reading over the addresses of the letters of the outgoing mail. Don't you ever do it again. You are a good housekeeper, but if I find you attending to anything but your own business, once more, you go on the moment. That is all I have to say." The woman left the room hurriedly. An hour or two later Betty met Harriet on the terrace. "I am sorry to appear to be always admonishing you," she said, "but I must ask you to have nothing more to do with Miss Trumbull."