"I will play the part with pleasure," I said. "It is a good idea." So it was arranged, and at dinner François waited upon us with neatness and dispatch, having received a hint from Mr. Rivers as to my supposed vocation in London. In his hearing I dropped a hint or two which I perceived he caught up in praise of his politeness and dexterity, and I saw that, thus encouraged, he would be of service to us. He was also led to understand from our conversation that it was our intention to make a stay here of several days, and in this and other ways we endeavored to lead up to the success of our scheme. It would have been unwise, however, in my opinion, to make any sudden and specific inquiries respecting Mr. Nisbet; I felt that we could not proceed too carefully, and I determined to leave these inquiries till the following day. Meanwhile we had a difficulty with Ronald. Dinner over, he announced his intention of walking to Mr. Nisbet's house in our company, and it was long before we could dissuade him. "Why should I not go?" he asked. "Why should you go?" I asked in return. "You can do nothing until we have laid our plans. If it should happen that Mr. Nisbet sees you, all our labor is thrown away. It is right that the house should be reconnoitered without delay, but for us to do that in a body would be inviting defeat. Mr. Rivers and I will undertake this alone, and you must remain here with your uncle and Barbara." He consented unwillingly, and we were about to set forth when Barbara plucked my sleeve. "Well, my child?" I said. "If yer going to see Molly, sir," she said, with tears in her eyes, "won't yer take me with yer?" The fears that oppressed me with respect to her sister rendered this imploring appeal of solemn import. "We don't know that we shall see Molly, my dear," I said gravely. "We must look about us first before we can decide what to do. I am afraid Mr. Nisbet is not a good man, and we must be very careful. You must leave everything to us, Barbara." "Yes, sir, in course I must do that. But if yer _do_ see Molly, yer'll give 'er my love, won't yer, and arks 'er if I can come to 'er?" "If we see her, my dear, we will be sure to tell her all about you." "She _will_ be surprised, won't she, sir?" "Yes, Barbara, yes," I said, and I left her with a heavy heart. On the road it occurred to me that, in keeping Mr. Rivers in complete ignorance of the nature of our suspicions respecting Mr. Nisbet, I might be placing difficulties in our way, and weakening the assistance he was ready to give us. Therefore I enlightened him to some extent, being careful to make no mention of the supernatural visitants which had made me take up the matter.