There was a buzz of satisfaction amongst the servants as, half hysterically, Jane Barker announced the tidings of a change for the better; but when she added thereto an order from the Doctor that Sir Murray should be made acquainted with the change, there was a look of intelligence passed from one to the other--a scared, frightened look, which she was not slow to perceive, and in eager tones demanded what was the matter. "Nothing that I know of," said one, "but--" "You always were a fool, Thomas!" exclaimed Jane, angrily. "Here, James, go and tell master at once." But James seemed not to have heard the command, for he suddenly disappeared through a door, against which he had happened to be standing. "You go, then, Thomas," said Jane; "and make haste, there's a good man. He must be anxious to know." "Shouldn't think he was," said Thomas, "when Missus Elstree knocked ever so long at the libery and got no answer." Jane's sharp eyes were again directed from one to the other, and then, without further pause, she set her teeth, nipped her lips together, and hurried across the hall to the library door. She knocked at first softly, but there was no reply; then more loudly, with the same result; and at last, thoroughly alarmed, she beat fiercely upon the panels, calling loudly upon her masters name. "Go and fetch Mr Elstree, and call up Dr Challen," said Jane, huskily, for there was a horrible fear at her heart, though she resolutely kept it to herself. "Perhaps master may be in a fit," she whispered. The Rector was there in a few minutes, and after knocking and calling, he, too, turned pale, as the doctor now appeared upon the scene. "Locked on the inside," said the latter, after a momentary examination. "The door must be broken open, and at once. Is there a carpenter upon the premises?" There was no carpenter, but one of the gardeners had some skill in doing odd jobs about the place, and he was known to possess a basket of tools. His name was therefore suggested. "Fetch him at once!" exclaimed the Doctor, as excited now as any one present; and amidst an awe-stricken silence, the gardener's advent was awaited.