“When gentlemen begin talking politics,” said Mrs. Dalyell, “I always think it is time for the ladies to retire. But you have begun early to-night. Are you going into town at your usual hour to-morrow, Robert? I hope you’ll be home early, for, with Fred away, there will be no man but only the servants in the house.” “And what the worse will you be for that, Amelia? There are plenty to protect you, I hope, if I were never to be seen again.” “Robert! that’s not a thing to joke about. I never feel safe, you know, in this big, rambling old house when you’re not here--if it was only the rats----” “What could the rats do to you, mother?” “Hold your peace, Fred!” said Mrs. Dalyell. “I sometimes think of Bishop Hatto in that poem you used all to be so fond of--and those in the Pied Piper. If you just heard some of old Janet Macalister’s stories, they would make your hair stand on end.” “You’ll be back in time, Bob, not to keep her uneasy,” said Mr. Wedderburn behind the _Standard_, which he had just taken up, to his friend behind the _Times_. Dalyell answered carelessly, “Yes, yes. Why shouldn’t I be back in time?” Then, with a laugh, to his wife, “You should never mind old Janet. I dare say you were interfering with some hiding-holes of hers that she did not want disturbed. She’s a kind of familiar spirit of the house, that old woman. She knows it better than any of us; and there’s all sorts of uncanny corners about this house. It would be to keep you out of the secret chamber that she told you daft stories about the rats.” “I don’t believe in any nonsense about secret chambers,” said Mrs. Dalyell. “That’s all very well in Glamis, and such places: but Yalton’s not good enough for that.” “Yalton’s good enough for anything, mamma,” cried Susie, indignant. “I heard the horseman in the avenue a week ago, as clear as----” “What’s that you’re saying, Susie?” said Mr. Dalyell sharply. “Oh!” said the girl tremulously, “I mean the rain pattering in that place, you know.” “Susie is always hearing some nonsense,” said her mother. “Gather up your work and things, children, for it is time you were going to your beds.” CHAPTER II.