ok. She's first cousin to the red-haired girl who's with Mr.
Simpkins. That's a recommendation in itself."

"Is it? Who is Mr. Simpkins? Oh, of course, he's the man from whom I
took the house."

"A capital fellow," said Meldon; "young, strong, and vigorous. The
sort of man," he sank his voice impressively, "that it would take a lot
to kill."

Miss King seemed moderately interested.

"But why do you think," she said, "that his servant's first cousin--"

"Sabina is her name," said Meldon. "It's a very attractive name, isn't
it?"

"Yes. But why do you think it likely that Mr. Simpkins' servant's
first cousin can cook?"

"He's a most particular man," said Meldon; "fidgety to a degree about
having everything quite right, always worrying the life out of his
servants, which is excellent for them, of course; but, well, if he was
married"--he sank his voice again--"I expect his wife would consider
herself quite justified in killing him. I daresay he'll be up to call
on you this afternoon."

"If he's as bad as that," said Miss King, "I had better go in and tidy
my hair before he comes."

"Perhaps you had," said Meldon.

"You're very rude," said Miss King.

She smiled as she spoke, blushed slightly, and then looking at Meldon
from under her eyelashes, said,--

"Come now, tell me the truth. Am I an absolute fright?"

Most men would have attempted a pretty speech of some sort. Many men
would have responded to Miss King's eyes with a glance of admiration.
She had very fine eyes, and a singularly attractive way of looking out
of the corners of them. Miss King was, in fact, a little tired of her
own company, and would have liked to hear Meldon say something pleasant
about her appearance. She would have enjoyed herself very well if he
had attempted some slight flirtation with her. But he snubbed her
severely.

"I told you yesterday," he said, "that I'm a married man. I have a
daughter two years old, and I'm a clergyman. I really can't allow
you--"

The soft look vanished in an instant from Miss King's eyes. They
flashed fiercely. Her face became suddenly crimson.

"You are outrageous," she said. "How dare you suggest--? How dare you
even think--?"

She sprang to her feet and started at a rapid pace towards the house.
Her head was poised defiantly. Meldon, though he could only see her
back, felt certain that her chin was in the air. Callaghan, who had
retired with his scythe to the middle of t