"I’m at a loose end, auntie. They want my room over at Wimbledon—but only for a week. Hetty and Jack have come home from their music-hall engagement in Paris, and they’ve asked me to give up my room for a week. So I’ve no place to sleep. I’ve been wondering if Mr. Boyne would mind me coming here. Do you think he’d object?" "No, I’m sure he wouldn’t mind, dear!" she declared. "I’ll ask him now—when I go up. He’s often inquiring after you." So when she took up her master’s tea a quarter of an hour later, she said: "Marigold’s downstairs, sir. She’s in a bit of trouble, sir." "Trouble! Why?" asked Boyne sharply. "What’s the matter? Has she left the bank?" "Oh, no, sir. It’s only because she’s turned out of her room at Wimbledon for a week for her brother-in-law and his wife, so she wants to come here and stay with me. Would you have any objection?" "Of course not, Mrs. Felmore. Tell her to come up and see me now." Then, when the old woman had gone, his genial attitude instantly changed. "So the girl wants to come here—does she? Yes, she shall come. Oh, yes!" he growled grimly. "She and that fellow are playing a very pretty game. But I shall win, never fear!" A moment later Marigold entered the room, saying: "It’s awfully good of you, Mr. Boyne, to put me up again! I fear I’m a terrible nuisance, but I was in such a difficulty that I came to auntie, and asked her if she knew of anyone who could give me a room. She then said that she thought you might allow me to stay here." "My dear Miss Marigold," he said quite genially, "you are welcome to stay with your aunt. I’ve told you so over and over again, haven’t I? How are you getting on at the bank?" "Oh, quite well, thanks! It is rather monotonous—figures always—but still it’s better than at that motor dealer’s where I was before. People who deal in motor cars have no conscience, and are, I believe, the biggest liars on earth." Boyne laughed. He had an appreciation for the smart young lady clerk, whose quick wit and ready repartee always appealed to him. But two days before he had made a discovery which had aroused his suspicions. It was, however, arranged that Marigold should occupy the same room which she had had when taken suddenly ill a short time before, and Boyne added: "Just do as you like, my girl. I have a great regard for your aunt, as you know, and you are quite welcome here, I assure you." The girl, believing that he was unsuspicious, thanked him and, leaving the room, descended to the kitchen, where she told her aunt all that had transpired. Personally she liked Mr. Boyne. It was only the discovery of that weird disguise of his that had aroused her curiosity, which, indeed, was but natural. She left the house half an hour later and travelled to Wimbledon Park, returning with her leather blouse case containing a few necessaries.