"Well, good-by. I'll go as a waiter, since they wouldn't invite me. I'm one of the best little waiters you ever heard of; and all things come to him who waits." What a pleasant, affable young man he was! thought Susan as she watched him jump into the car and go flying up the street. Jones was a good deal surprised when Norton turned up at the old Chilton manor. "What made you come here dressed like this?" the butler demanded. "I'm a suspicious duffer; maybe that's the reason." "Do you know anything?" "Well, no; I can't say that I do. But, hang it, I just had to come out here." "Maybe it's just as well you did," said Jones moodily. "I know this place. The housekeeper used to be my nurse, and if she is still on the job she may be of service to us. You don't think they'll question or recognize me?" "Hardly. I'll put in a word for you. I'll say I sent for you, not knowing if we had enough servants to take care of the luncheon." "And now I'll go and hunt up Meg." Sure enough, his old nurse was still in charge of the house; and when her "baby" disclosed his identity she all but fell upon his neck. "But what are you doing here, dressed up as a waiter?" "It's a little secret, Meg. I wasn't invited, and the truth is I'm very desperately in love with the young lady in whose honor this coaching party is being given. And ... maybe she's in danger." "Danger? What about?" "The Lord only knows. But show me about the house. I've not been here in so long I've forgotten the run of it. I remember one room with the secret panel and another with a painting that turned. Have they changed them?" "No; it is just the same here as it used to be. Come along and I'll show you." Norton inspected the rooms carefully, stowing away in his mind every detail. He might be worrying about nothing; but so many strange things had happened that it was better to be on the side of caution than on the side of carelessness. He left the house and ran across Jones carrying a basket of wine. "Here, Norton; take this to the party. I want to reconnoiter." "All right, m'lud! Say, Jones, how much do you think I'd earn at this job?" comically. "Get along with you, Mr. Norton. It may be the time to laugh, and then it may not." "I'm going back into the house and hide behind a secret panel. I've got my revolver. You go to the stables and take a try at my car; see if she works smoothly. We may have to do some hiking. Where is the countess in this?" "Leave that to me, Mr. Norton," said the butler with his grim smile. "Be off; they are moving back toward the house."