not have let her send the telegram; as
it was he did. Half-way to the station he had grown yet more curious
about it; and he asked her again why she had sent it.

"You'll know all about it when we get to London," said Pollyooly coldly.

He could get no more from her.

They lunched on the train, and under the expanding influence of a small
bottle of champagne, the air of Mr. Wilkinson grew more and more
triumphant at the success of his difficult mission.

When they descended from the train he clasped Pollyooly's right hand
firmly, the detective clasped her left, and they walked down the
platform. They had not gone thirty yards when they met the Honourable
John Ruffin smiling agreeably.

"Hullo, Wilkinson! How are you?" he said cheerfully.

"How are you, Mr. Ruffin? At last we've found her little ladyship, and
we're taking her to his grace. He will be pleased," said Mr. Wilkinson
in tones of ringing triumph.

"Will he? Where is she?" said the Honourable John Ruffin with an air
of lively curiosity.

"Here," said Mr. Wilkinson, drawing Pollyooly forward.

"Where?" said the Honourable John Ruffin, looking at Pollyooly with a
somewhat puzzled air.

"Here!" said Mr. Wilkinson a little louder.

"Oh--_there_?" said the Honourable John Ruffin. "How are you,
Pollyooly? I hope you had a pleasant time with Eglantine. But why
have you come back so soon? I didn't expect you for some days."

"It was Mr. Wilkinson. He made me. He almost dragged me to his
hotel," said Pollyooly.

"Oh, come, Wilkinson: this won't do, you know. This is kidnapping, you
know--high-handed kidnapping," said the Honourable John Ruffin
indignantly. "What do you think you're doing?"

"I'm taking her to the duke," said Mr. Wilkinson.

"And do you suppose that Osterley will be pleased at your bringing him
my housekeeper, Wilkinson? On the last occasion, when he did the
kidnapping and took her home himself, he seemed very far from pleased."

The puzzled look had shifted from the Honourable John Ruffin's face to
that of Mr. Wilkinson, and he said sharply:

"What do you mean?"

"I mean what I say," said the Honourable John Ruffin firmly. "I find
you dragging my housekeeper, Mary Bride, along the platform of Waterloo
Station, by main force, and with the help of a tall, strong man."

"I don't know what you are talking about!" cried Mr. Wilkinson
stormily. "And if you'll forgive my saying so, I haven't any time to
waste on your jo