But the glance hardened into a look of deadly seriousness as her eyes fell on what was written. She re-read the letter two or three times before she grasped its import. "Dear Miss Keeves," it ran, "it is with the very deepest regret that I write to say that certain facts have come to my knowledge with regard to the way in which you spent your holiday last year at Polperro. I, also, gather that your sudden departure from Melkbridge was in connection with this visit. As a strict moral rectitude is a sine qua non amongst those I employ, I must ask you to be good enough to resign your appointment. I enclose cheque for present and next week's salary.--Truly yours, "MONTAGUE S.T. DEVITT." The faces about her faded from her view; the room seemed as if it were going round. "What's the matter, ma'am?" asked Mrs Trivett anxiously. "I can't give the guarantee," gasped Mavis. Mr Hutton rose and buttoned his coat. "What about Germany?" put in Mrs Trivett. "I'd forgotten that," said Mavis. "I'll write a telegram at once." Mr Hutton unbuttoned his coat. "Here's ink and paper, ma'am." Mavis took up the pen, at which Mr Hutton sat down. But she could not remember the address. With swimming head, she dived her hand into the pockets of her frock, but could not find Windebank's letter. "I must have left it at the office," she murmured. "What is it you want?" asked Mrs Trivett. "His letter for the address." Mr Hutton got up. "What time is it?" asked Mavis. "Just six o'clock." "The factory would be locked for the night. Won't they take my word?" she asked. "I don't want to be parted from my child while I go to the factory." Mr Hutton buttoned his coat. Mavis made an impassioned appeal to the man in possession and his friend. She might as well have talked to the stone walls which lined the Dippenham Road for any impression she produced. "This address will find me up to ten o'clock to-night, mum," said Mr Hutton, as he threw a soiled envelope on the table. "An' if I'm woke up arter, I charge it on the interest." When Mr Hutton had taken his leave, Mavis fought an attack of hysterics. Realising that Gunner, the broker's man, would prove as good as his word in the matter of having her sick child removed, if the money were not forthcoming, Mavis saw that there was no time to be lost. She quickly wrote two notes, one of which was to Miss Toombs, the other to Charlie Perigal. In these she briefly recounted the circumstances of her necessity. Trivett was dispatched to Miss Toombs, whilst his wife undertook to deliver Perigal's note at his father's house.