Sophy nodded. "Aunty's spoke to me about that desk. She never could make out, she ses, what 'd become of it." "I will describe it to you, Sophy." I did so, and she listened attentively, nodding from time to time with surprising intelligence. "If you happen to see this desk in the possession of the man whom I look upon as my enemy, do you think you could identify it?" "Know it again? Yes, I should. But 'ow am I to git to the man?" "I have thought of a plan, or rather a friend of mine has, which requires courage to carry it out successfully. It requires something more than courage; without great good sense and coolness the plan would fail. The question is whether you possess those qualities." "It ain't no question at all; I've got what you want, and can do what you want." "There is something in the desk, Sophy, that is of the utmost importance to me." "And I'm to git it for yer. All right. Smuggle me into the 'ouse, and consider it done." "But you don't know what kind of a place it is, my girl. It's a private madhouse." Sophy did not blench; she simply nodded, and fixed her large brown eyes on my face. "The man's name," I continued, "is Peterssen, Dr. Peterssen. If he wanted a young girl as a servant you should apply for the situation, but I don't think there is a vacancy in his establishment. He is ready to take more patients, though, and he likes young patients better than old ones." "You're going to put me in there as a mad gal," cried Sophy, in a tone of irrepressible excitement, which lasted, however, only for a moment. She cooled down instantly, and said in her usual tone, "Crikey! That's a good move. I'm game! It's a good part to play, and no mistake." "You'll do it, then?" "Do it? Won't I do it? Why, I never thought I'd 'ave sech a chance." "You will have to be respectably dressed, Sophy, hands and face nice and clean, and hair very tidy. How long in the morning will it take you to do that?" "You git me the clothes and I won't keep yer waiting. I'll give myself a good scrub to-night." "I've only one fear for you," I said, "which you won't mind my mentioning. Going as a girl in a respectable position, your language might draw suspicion upon you. I can't see a way out of that difficulty." "I can," said Sophy, with a merry twinkle. "Why should I speak at all? Let me go as a dumb gal. It'll be more than ever they can manage to git a word out of me if I was there for a year." I looked at her admiringly. Her sharp wits had solved a problem which had greatly perplexed me. "You are sure you will not be afraid, Sophy?" "Not a bit afraid; I shall enjoy it. It'll be a reg'lar game." "Very well, then. You can sleep upon it to-night, and if you alter your mind you can let me know. I shall sleep here myself, and shall be up early in the morning. There will be a great deal to do, and no time must be lost. Goodnight. Say nothing to your aunt." She nodded smilingly, bade me good-night, and left me to my reflections. CHAPTER XLVII.