"Certainly--a telegram sent by me at one o'clock this afternoon, or thereabouts--" Here, with an apology, he left me to attend to a new arrival--a Yellow Dwarf with a decidedly music-hall manner, who nudged him in the stomach and fell upon his neck exclaiming, "My long-lost brother!" "Cert'nly, sir. You will find the _company_ upstairs, sir." The young man disengaged himself with admirable dignity and turned again to me. "A telegram did you say--" "Addressed to 'Trewlove, 402, Cromwell Road.'" "William!" He summoned another footman forward. "This gentleman is inquiring for a telegram sent here this afternoon, addressed 'Trewlove'." "There was such a telegram," said William. "I heard Mr. Horrex a-discussing of it in the pantry. The mistress took the name for a telegraphic address, and sent it back to the office, saying there must be some mistake." "But I sent it myself!" "Indeed, sir?" "It contained an order to get my room ready." "This gentleman is Mr. Richardson," explained the younger footman. "Indeed, sir?" William's face brightened. "In that case there's no 'arm done, for your room is ready, and I laid out your dress myself. Mr. 'Erbert gave particular instructions before going out." "Mr. Herbert?" I gazed around me blankly. Who in the name of wonder was Mr. Herbert? "If you will allow me, sir," suggested William, taking my bag, while the other went back to his post. "Thank you," said I, "but I know my own room, I hope." He shook his head. "The mistress made some alterations at the last moment, and you're on the fourth floor over the street. Mr. 'Erbert's last words were that if you arrived before him I was to 'ope you didn't mind being so near the roof." Well, of one thing at least I could be sure: I was in my own house. For the rest, I might be Rip van Winkle or the Sleeper Awakened. Who was this lady called "the mistress "? Who was Mr. Herbert? How came they here? And--deepest mystery of all--how came they to be expecting _me?_ Some villainy of Trewlove's must be the clue of this tangle; and, holding to this clue, I resolved to follow whither fate might lead. III. William lifted my bag and led the way. On the first landing, where the doors stood open and the music went merrily to the last figure of the Lancers, we had to pick our way through a fantastic crowd which eyed me with polite curiosity. Couples seated on the next flight drew aside to let us pass. But the second landing was empty, and I halted for a moment at the door of my own workroom, within which lay my precious manuscript. "This room is unoccupied?" "Indeed, no, sir. The mistress considers it the cheerfullest in the 'ouse." "Our tastes agree then." "She had her bed moved in there the very first night." "Indeed." I swung round on him hastily. "By-the-by, what is your mistress's name?" He drew back a pace and eyed me with some embarrassment. "You'll excuse me, sir, but that ain't quite a fair question as between you and me."