bye," and Dexter, as he was standing in
the great cold hall, felt that he was commencing a new phase in his
existence.

CHAPTER FORTY FOUR.

PETER CRIBB SEES A GHOST.

Helen rang the bell one evening and Maria answered the summons.

"Papa thinks he would like a little supper, Maria, as we dined early
to-day. Bring up a tray. There is a cold chicken, I think!"

"Yes, 'm," said Maria, and disappeared, but was back in a few minutes.

"If you please, 'm, Mrs Millett says there is no cold chicken, 'm."

"Indeed?" said Helen wonderingly. "Very well, then, the cold veal pie."

"Yes, 'm."

Maria disappeared, and came back again. "Please, 'm, Mrs Millett says
there is no veal pie."

"Then tell her to make an omelette."

"Yes, 'm." Maria left the room and came back. "Please, 'm, Mrs
Millett says there's no eggs, and it's too late to get any more."

"Ask Mrs Millett to come here," said Helen; and the old lady came up,
looking very red.

"Why, Millett," said Helen, "this is very strange. I don't like to find
fault, but surely there ought to have been a chicken left."

"I'm very glad you have found fault, Miss," said Mrs Millett, "for it's
given me a chance to speak. Yes; there ought to have been a chicken,
and the veal pie too; but I'm very sorry to say, Miss, they're gone."

"Gone?"

"Yes, Miss. I don't know how to account for it, but the things have
begun to go in the most dreadful way. Bread, butter, milk, eggs, meat,
everything goes, and we've all been trying to find out how, but it's no
good."

"This is very strange, Millett. Have you no idea how it is they go?"

"No, Miss; but Dan'l fancies it must be that rough boy who led Master
Dexter away. He says he's sure he caught sight of him in the dark last
night. Somebody must take the things, and he seems to be the most
likely, knowing the place as he does."

"This must be seen to," said Helen; and she told the doctor.
Consequently a watch was kept by the gardener and the groom, but they
found nothing, and the contents of the larder continued to disappear.

"If it were a man," said the doctor, on being told of what was going on,
"I'd set the police to work, but I hate anything of that kind with a
boy. Wait a bit, and he will get more impudent from obtaining these
things with impunity, and then he will be more easily caught."

"And then, papa?" said Helen.

"Then, my dear? Do you know that thin Malacca cane in the hall? Yes,
you do.