in a separate wing; but he
thought it more than likely that her ladyship's personal attendant
occupied a room near her mistress.

He went back to the corridor and looked round him in doubt, for a moment
or two.

Close against her ladyship's door there was a swing door, covered with
red cloth, which seemed to communicate with the old part of the house.
John Hammond pushed this door, and it yielded to his hand, revealing a
lamp-lit passage, narrow, old-fashioned, and low. He thought it likely
that Lady Maulevrier's maid might occupy a room in this half-deserted
wing. As he pushed open the door he saw an elderly man coming towards
him, with a candle in his hand, and with the appearance of having
huddled on his clothes hastily.

'You heard that scream?' said Hammond.

'Yes. It was her ladyship, I suppose. Nightmare. She is subject to
nightmare.'

'It is very dreadful. Her whole countenance was convulsed just now, when
I went into her room to see what was wrong. I was almost afraid of a fit
of some kind. Ought not her maid to go to her?'

'She wants no assistance,' the man answered, coolly. 'It was only a
dream. It is not the first time I have been awakened by a shriek like
that. It is a kind of nightmare, no doubt; and it passes off in a few
minutes, and leaves her sleeping calmly.'

He went to her ladyship's door, pushed it open a little way, and looked
in. 'Yes, she is sleeping as quietly as an infant,' he said, shutting
the door softly as he spoke.

'I am very glad; but surely she ought to have her maid near her at
night, if she is subject to those attacks.'

'It is no attack, I tell you. It is nothing but a dream,' answered
Steadman impatiently.

'Yet you were frightened, just as I was, or you would not have got up
and dressed,' said Hammond, looking at the man suspiciously.

He had heard of this old servant Steadman, who was supposed to enjoy
more of her ladyship's confidence than any one else in the household;
but he had never spoken to the man before that night.

'Yes, I came. It was my duty to come, knowing her ladyship's habits. I
am a light sleeper, and that scream woke me instantly. If her ladyship's
maid were wanted I should call her. I am a kind of watch-dog, you see,
sir.'

'You seem to be a very faithful dog.'

'I have been in her ladyship's service more than forty years. I have
reason to be faithful. I know her ladyship's habits better than any one
in the house. I know that she had a great