f the inn. She announced that a servant from Dun
Moat was asking for me, on business of importance.

Terry and I threw each other a look as I said, "Give Captain Burns time
to go; then bring the person here."

Terry went at my command, but not far; he was ordered to the public
parlour--to toy with Books of Beauty. Of course it was old Hedwig Kramm
who had come.

Her eyes darted hawk glances round the room, seeming to penetrate the
chintz valances on chairs and sofa! She announced that the son of Lord
Scarlett was lost. Search was being made. She had called to learn if I
had seen him.

"Why do you think of _me_?" I inquired arrogantly.

The boy had been noticed peeping out of the window when I walked in the
garden. He had said that I was "a pretty lady," and that he wished he
were down there with me. He would get me to take him in my motor, if I
had one.

I shrugged my shoulders. "I can't tell you where he is," I said, "and
even if I could, why should I? Let Lord and Lady Scarlett call, if they
wish to catechise me."

"They cannot," objected the old woman. "Her ladyship is prostrated with
grief. His lordship is with her."

"As they please," I returned. "I have nothing more to say--to you."

The creature was driven to bay. She loved the "venomous little brute!"
"Would you have something more to say if they did come?" she faltered.
"_Something about the child?_"

"I might," I drawled, "rack my memory for the time when I saw him last."

"You _do_ know where he is!" she squealed.

"I'm afraid," I said, "that I must ask you to leave my room."

She bounced out as if she'd been shot from an air gun!

It was ten o'clock, but light enough for me to see her scuttling along
the road as I peered through the window. When she had scuttled far
enough, I called to Terry.

"The Scarletts are coming!" I sang to the tune of "The Campbells."
"Whether it's maternal instinct or a guilty conscience or _what_, Madame
Defarge has guessed that I've got the child. She'll be doubly sure when
Kramm reports my gay quips and quirks. To get here by the shortest and
quietest way, the Scarletts must pass your lodgings. The instant you see
them, take Jones and race to Dun Moat. When you reach there you'll know
what to do. But in case they hide the girl as a Roland for my Oliver,
I'm going to play the most beautiful game of bluff you ever saw."

"I wish I _could_ see it!" said Terry.

"But you'd rather see Cecil! You'd better start now