Mrs. Howell was the housekeeper, that dignified, creaking lady who had struck such terror to the heart of Lady Coote. She had no terrors for Bundle, whom, indeed, she always called Miss Bundle, a relic of the days when Bundle had stayed at Chimneys, a long-legged, impish child, before her father had succeeded to the title. "Now, Howelly," said Bundle, "let's have a cup of rich cocoa together, and let me hear all the household news." She gleaned what she wanted without much difficulty, making mental notes as follows: "Two new scullery maids--village girls--doesn't seem much there. New third housemaid--head housemaid's niece. That sounds all right. Howelly seems to have bullied poor Lady Coote a good deal. She would." "I never thought the day would come when I should see Chimneys inhabited by strangers, Miss Bundle." "Oh! one must go with the times," said Bundle. "You'll be lucky, Howelly, if you never see it converted into desirable flats with use of superb pleasure grounds." Mrs. Howell shivered all down her reactionary aristocratic spine. "I've never seen Sir Oswald Coote," remarked Bundle. "Sir Oswald is no doubt a very clever gentleman," said Mrs. Howell distantly. Bundle gathered that Sir Oswald had not been liked by his staff. "Of course, it was Mr. Bateman who saw to everything," continued the housekeeper. "A very efficient gentleman. A very efficient gentleman indeed, and one who knew the way things ought to be done." Bundle led the talk on to the topic of Gerald Wade's death. Mrs. Howell was only too willing to talk about it, and was full of pitying ejaculations about the poor young gentleman, but Bundle gleaned nothing new. Presently she took leave of Mrs. Howell and came downstairs again, where she promptly rang for Tredwell. "Tredwell, when did Alfred leave?" "It would be about a month ago now, my lady." "Why did he leave?" "It was by his own wish, my lady. I believe he has gone to London. I was not dissatisfied with him in any way. I think you will find the new footman, John, very satisfactory. He seems to know his work and to be most anxious to give satisfaction." "Where did he come from?" "He had excellent references, my lady. He had lived last with Lord Mount Vernon." "I see," said Bundle thoughtfully. She was remembering that Lord Mount Vernon was at present on a shooting trip in East Africa. "What's his last name, Tredwell?" "Bower, my lady." Tredwell paused for a minute or two and then, seeing that Bundle had finished, he quietly left the room. Bundle remained lost in thought. John had opened the door to her on her arrival that day, and she had taken particular notice of him without seeming to do so. Apparently, he was the perfect servant, well trained, with an expressionless face. He had, perhaps, a more soldierly bearing than most footmen and there was something a little odd about the shape of the back of his head.