lf
confronted by half a dozen of the men and women servants coming from the
back of the house. With his hand upon the door-knob he waved them back.

"Be so good, Mrs. Harrison," he said to the housekeeper, "as to keep
better order in the servants' hall. We could hear some girls calling or
laughing in the dining-room."

"Indeed, sir," Mrs. Harrison answered with some dignity, "the noise,
whatever it was, did not come from the servants' quarters. We fancied
that it came from your library."

"Quite impossible," Duncombe answered coolly. "If I require any one I
will ring."

He passed through the door and locked it on the inside. In half a dozen
hasty strides he was across the room and inside the smaller apartment
where he had left the girl. With a little gasp of relief he realized
that she was there still. She was pale, and a spot of color was blazing
in her cheeks. Her hair and dress were a little disordered. With
trembling fingers she was fastening a little brooch into her blouse as
he entered. A rush of night air struck him from a wide-open window.

"What has happened?" he called out.

"I have been terrified," she answered. "I am sorry I called out. I could
not help it. A man came here--through the window. He talked so fast that
I could scarcely hear what he said, but he wanted that paper. I tried to
make him understand that I had not got it, but he did not believe
me--and he was rude."

Duncombe shut down the window, swearing softly to himself.

"I cannot stay with you," he said, "just now. The whole house is alarmed
at your cry. Listen!"

There was a loud knocking at the library door. Duncombe turned hastily
away.

"I must let them in," he said. "I will come back to you."

She pointed to the window.

"He is coming back," she said, "at twelve o'clock."

"Do you wish me to give up the paper?" he asked.

"No."

"Very well. I will be with you when he comes--before then. I must get
rid of these men first."

He closed the door softly, and drew the curtain which concealed it. Then
he opened the library window, and a moment afterwards the door.

"Come in, you fellows," he said. "I scarcely know what I was doing when
I locked the door. I fancy one of the housemaids has been seeing ghosts
in the garden. I saw something white in amongst the shrubs, but I could
find nothing. Come on out with me."

Spencer followed with a perfectly grave face. Lord Runton looked
puzzled. Pelham did not attempt to leave the l