, these
people would offer one tea? I miss mine."

"I will go and see," I said, and explored M'Leod's new-built servants'
wing. It was in the servants' hall that I unearthed the M'Leod family,
bursting with anxiety.

"Tea for three, quick," I said. "If you ask me any questions now,
I shall have a fit!" So Mrs. M'Leod got it, and I was butler, amid
murmured apologies from Baxter, still smiling and self-absorbed, and
the cold disapproval of Miss Mary, who thought the pattern of the china
vulgar. However, she ate well, and even asked me whether I would not
like a cup of tea for myself.

They went away in the twilight--the twilight that I had once feared.
They were going to an hotel in London to rest after the fatigues of the
day, and as their fly turned down the drive, I capered on the door step,
with the all-darkened house behind me.

Then I heard the uncertain feet of the M'Leods and bade them not to turn
on the lights, but to feel--to feel what I had done; for the Shadow was
gone, with the dumb desire in the air. They drew short, but afterwards
deeper, breaths, like bathers entering chill water, separated one from
the other, moved about the hall, tiptoed upstairs, raced down, and then
Miss M'Leod, and I believe her mother, though she denies this, embraced
me. I know M'Leod did.

It was a disgraceful evening. To say we rioted through the house is to
put it mildly. We played a sort of Blind Man's Buff along the darkest
passages, in the unlighted drawing-room, and little dining-room, calling
cheerily to each other after each exploration that here, and here, and
here, the trouble-had removed itself. We came up to the bedroom--mine
for the night again--and sat, the women on the bed, and we men
on chairs, drinking in blessed draughts of peace and comfort and
cleanliness of soul, while I told them my tale in full, and received
fresh praise, thanks, and blessings.

When the servants, returned from their day's outing, gave us a supper
of cold fried fish, M'Leod had sense enough to open no wine. We had
been practically drunk since nightfall, and grew incoherent on water and
milk.

"I like that Baxter," said M'Leod. "He's a sharp man. The death wasn't
in the house, but he ran it pretty close, ain't it?"

"And the joke of it is that he supposes I want to buy the place from
you," I said. "Are you selling?"

"Not for twice what I paid for it--now," said M'Leod. "I'll keep you in
furs all your life, but not our Holmescroft