"It's like this, you see, Lister," Duncombe began, speaking a little jerkily and watching me closely. "I've an agreement to look after this cub for five years--a thousand a year and every mortal expense. I must say the lawyers are generous about expenses. I don't mind admitting that they cover the whole cost of my housekeeping, and I'm able to save practically the lot. I'm going in for fruit farming when the job comes to an end, but the boy's health is uncertain. I can't help wondering what would happen to me if he were to die." "I suppose," I ventured, "that your job would come to an end." "I couldn't afford that," Duncombe declared. "I want to secure against it if I can. You're a stranger. You can look at this matter with an open mind. What do you think about insuring his life for, say, five or ten thousand pounds?" "I wouldn't think of it," I told him bluntly, "while the boy is under your charge." He seemed disappointed, but he nodded understandingly. "Strikes you like that, does it?" he sighed. "Well, I was afraid it might. I expect you're right, too. Reminiscent of the Ardalmont mystery, and all that sort of thing, eh?" "As you say," I assented, a little grimly. The three of us were inclined to be gloomy during our walk home. "I don't know why," Rose said, "but I detest that household." "They're all right in their way," Leonard observed dubiously, "but they seem all of them to hate their job so. If they're paid for looking after that young cub, they ought to stomach their prejudices and do it." "I don't like him," Rose pronounced abruptly. "I thought he was just simple and foolish at first, but I've come to the conclusion that I don't like him. There isn't a single member of the household I do like. They're just sordid and peevish. I think the chief might have found us something better to do." "Perhaps he looks upon this in the light of a holiday task," I suggested. Rose had a flash of inspiration just then. She passed her arm through mine, and notwithstanding the warm wind, she shivered a little. "There is just one person in that household," she said, "of whom I am terrified." "Who is it?" Leonard asked. She shook her head. "Wait," she begged.