We found the housekeeper in her room. I accosted her in a friendly way. She made but a bare response. ‘Would you kindly show me where I slept that night I lost my sword, Mrs Wilson?’ I said. ‘I know nothing about your sword, Mr Cumbermede,’ she answered, shaking her head and pursing up her mouth. ‘I don’t ask you anything about it, Mrs Wilson; I only ask you where I slept the night I lost it.’ ‘Really, Mr Cumbermede, you can hardly expect me to remember in what room a visitor slept--let me see--it must be twelve or fifteen years ago! I do not take it upon me.’ ‘Oh! never mind, then. I referred to the circumstances of that night, thinking they might help you to remember the room; but it is of no consequence; I shall find it for myself. Miss Coningham will, I hope, help me in the search. She knows the house better than I do.’ ‘I must attend to my own business first, if you please, sir,’ said Clara. ‘Mrs Wilson, I am ordered out of my room by Mr Cumbermede. You must find me fresh quarters, if you please.’ Mrs Wilson stared. ‘Do you mean, miss, that you want your things moved to another bed-room?’ ‘That _is_ what I mean, Mrs Wilson.’ ‘I must see what Lady Brotherton says to it, miss.’ ‘Do, by all means.’ I saw that Clara was bent on annoying her old enemy, and interposed. ‘Sir Giles and Lady Brotherton have agreed to let me have Miss Coningham’s room for an addition to the library, Mrs Wilson,’ I said. She looked very grim, but made no answer. We turned and left her. She stood for a moment as if thinking, and then, taking down her bunch of keys, followed us. ‘If you will come this way,’ she said, stopping just behind us at another door in the court, ‘I think I can show you the room you want. But really, Mr Cumbermede, you are turning the place upside down. If I had thought it would come to this--’ ‘I hope to do so a little more yet, Mrs Wilson,’ I interrupted. ‘But I am sure you will be pleased with the result.’ She did not reply, but led the way up a stair, across the little open gallery, and by passages I did not remember, to the room I wanted. It was in precisely the same condition as when I occupied it. ‘This is the room, I believe,’ she said, as she unlocked and threw open the door. ‘Perhaps it would suit you, Miss Coningham?’ ‘Not in the least,’ answered Clara. ‘Who knows which of my small possessions might vanish before the morning!’ The housekeeper’s face grew turkey-red with indignation. ‘Mr Cumbermede has been filling your head with some of his romances, I see, Miss Clara!’ I laughed, for I did not care to show myself offended with her rudeness. ‘Never you mind,’ said Clara; ‘I am _not_ going to sleep there.’ ‘Very good,’ said Mrs Wilson, in a tone of offence severely restrained. ‘Will you show me the way to the library?’ I requested. ‘I will,’ said Clara; ‘I know it as well as Mrs Wilson--every bit.’