he cried. "How shall ve do?"

"Leave it to me."

The Baron reflected, and his smile died away.

"Sopposing," he said, slowly, "zey find out? Is it vise? Is it straight?"

"They can't find out. They go the next morning, and what's to prevent your
making a quick recovery and pluckily going down to Brierley Park as the
interesting convalescent? She will know that you've made a dangerous
journey on her account."

The Baron's face cleared again.

"Let us try!" he said; "anyzing is better zan my present state. Bot, be
careful, Bonker!"

"I shall take the most minute precautions," replied Mr Bunker.

CHAPTER V.

The next morning the two conspirators breakfasted early. The Baron seemed
a little nervous now that it came so near the venture, but his friend was
as cheerful as a schoolboy, and his confident air soon put fresh courage
into Rudolph.

Mr Bunker's bedroom opened out of their common sitting-room, and so he
declared that in the afternoon the Baron must be laid up there.

"Keep your room all morning," he said, "and look as pale as you can. I
shall make my room ready for you."

When the Baron had retired, he threw himself into a chair and gazed for a
few minutes round his bedroom. Then he rang his bell, ordered the servant
to make the bed immediately, and presently went out to do some shopping.
On the way he sent word to the Countess, telling her only that the Baron
was indisposed, but that in spite of this misfortune he hoped he should
have the pleasure of their company at tea. The rest of the morning he
spent in his bedroom, prudently keeping out of the ladies' way.

When, after a substantial lunch which he insisted upon getting up to eat,
the Baron was allowed to enter the sick-room, he uttered an exclamation of
astonishment,--and indeed his surprise was natural. The room was as full of
flowers as a conservatory; chairs, wardrobe, and fireplace were most
artistically draped with art hangings; a plate filled with grapes, a large
bottle labelled "Two table-spoonfuls every half hour," and a
medicine-glass were placed conspicuously on a small table; and, most
remarkable feature of all, Mr Bunker's bath filled with water and alive
with goldfish stood by the side of the bed. A couple of canaries sang in a
cage by the window, the half-drawn curtains only permitted the most
delicate light to steal into the room, and in short the whole arrangement
reflected the utmost credi