"No. For some reason, they have taken a dislike to Elmdale, and hardly ever mention it, or the Grange, for that matter. Yet my poor old dad is such a creature of habit that he is always missing something--a book, a favorite picture, a bit of china, and I schemed to come here, pack a few of the articles he most values, and have them sent to our cottage in Cornwall. Once they're there, they couldn't very well be sent back, could they? But as my people have forbidden me ever to speak of or come near Elmdale, I didn't quite know how to manage it, until I hit on the notion of impersonating Percy Whittaker, the brother of a friend with whom I have been staying in Cheshire. Percy would do anything for me, but there was no sense in sending him, was there? He would be sure to bungle things awfully, so I borrowed his togs, and traveled all night to a station on the other side of the moor--and nobody--thought--I was--a girl--except you--and Betty, of course. She--knew me--at once." "For goodness' sake, don't cry. I believe you--every word. But did you travel from Cheshire in that rig-out?" "No, oh, no! I wore a mackintosh, and a lady's hat. They're hanging in the hall. I took them off while crossing the moor." "A mackintosh!" "Yes. Don't be horrid! I turned up my trousers, of course." "I'm not being horrid. I want to help you. You walked--how many miles?" "Fourteen." "And breakfasted at York?" "Yes. You see, Betty would have brought me some lunch. Then _you_ came." "The bedroom was prepared for your use, then?" "Yes. It's my room, really. Dad likes to sleep with his head to the west, and that is where the door is in that room." "Poor girl! I would have given a good deal that this thing should not have happened. But we must make the best of a bad job. Now, I hope you'll accept my advice. Let me go upstairs and remove the clothes I shall need in the morning. Then you retire there, lock the door, and sleep well till Betty comes." "Oh, I can't! You are very kind, but I _must_ go to Mrs. Jackson now." She had blushed and paled in alternate seconds. Half rising, she sank back into the chair again; though the table was between them, the wearing of a boy's clothes was not quite so easy a matter as it had seemed earlier. The one thing she did not guess was that this serious-faced man was far more troubled by thoughts of a reputed ghost than by an escapade which now loomed large in her mind. "I'm half inclined to make you obey me," he said angrily, gazing at her now with fixed and troubled eyes. "But you've been so good and kind," she almost sobbed. "Why should you be vexed with me now? I've told you the truth, I have, indeed." "That is precisely the reason why I am sure you ought not to risk arousing the village to-night." "But I won't. I'll tap at the window. Betty knows I'm here, somewhere, and she'll let me in at once."