ItwasaboutthethirdweekinMaythatMrs。Mullet，relictofthelateSylvesterMullet，andmotherofTobyandabunchofdaughters，assailedClovisSangrailontheoutskirtsofthevillagewithabreathlesscatalogueoflocalhappenings。
\"Youknowournewneighbour，Mr。Penricarde？\"shevociferated；\"awfullyrich，ownstinminesinCornwall，middle-agedandratherquiet。He\'stakentheRedHouseonalongleaseandspentalotofmoneyonalterationsandimprovements。Well，Toby\'ssoldhimtheBrogue！\"
Clovisspentamomentortwoinassimilatingtheastonishingnews；thenhebrokeoutintounstintedcongratulation。IfhehadbelongedtoamoreemotionalracehewouldprobablyhavekissedMrs。Mullet。
\"Howwonderfullyluckytohavepulleditoffatlast！Nowyoucanbuyadecentanimal。I\'vealwayssaidthatTobywasclever。Eversomanycongratulations。\"
\"Don\'tcongratulateme。It\'sthemostunfortunatethingthatcouldhavehappened！\"saidMrs。Mulletdramatically。
Clovisstaredatherinamazement。
\"Mr。Penricarde，\"saidMrs。Mullet，sinkinghervoicetowhatsheimaginedtobeanimpressivewhisper，thoughitratherresembledahoarse，excitedsqueak，\"Mr。
PenricardehasjustbeguntopayattentionstoJessie。
Slightatfirst，butnowunmistakable。Iwasafoolnottohaveseenitsooner。Yesterday，attheRectorygardenparty，heaskedherwhatherfavouriteflowerswere，andshetoldhimcarnations，andto-dayawholestackofcarnationshasarrived，cloveandmalmaisonandlovelydarkredones，regularexhibitionblooms，andaboxofchocolatesthathemusthavegotonpurposefromLondon。
Andhe\'saskedhertogoroundthelinkswithhimto-
morrow。Andnow，justatthiscriticalmoment，Tobyhassoldhimthatanimal。It\'sacalamity！\"
\"Butyou\'vebeentryingtogetthehorseoffyourhandsforyears，\"saidClovis。
\"I\'vegotahousefulofdaughters，\"saidMrs。
Mullet，\"andI\'vebeentrying-well，nottogetthemoffmyhands，ofcourse，butahusbandortwowouldn\'tbeamissamongthelotofthem；therearesixofthem，youknow。\"
\"Idon\'tknow，\"saidClovis，\"I\'venevercounted，butIexpectyou\'rerightastothenumber；mothersgenerallyknowthesethings。\"
\"Andnow，\"continuedMrs。Mullet，inhertragicwhisper，\"whenthere\'sarichhusband-in-prospectimminentonthehorizonTobygoesandsellshimthatmiserableanimal。Itwillprobablykillhimifhetriestorideit；anywayitwillkillanyaffectionhemighthavefelttowardsanymemberofourfamily。Whatistobedone？Wecan\'tverywellasktohavethehorseback；
yousee，wepraisedituplikeanythingwhenwethoughttherewasachanceofhisbuyingit，andsaiditwasjusttheanimaltosuithim。\"
\"Couldn\'tyoustealitoutofhisstableandsendittograssatsomefarmmilesaway？\"suggestedClovis；
\"write\'VotesforWomen\'onthestabledoor，andthethingwouldpassforaSuffragetteoutrage。Noonewhoknewthehorsecouldpossiblysuspectyouofwantingtogetitbackagain。\"
\"Everynewspaperinthecountrywouldringwiththeaffair，\"saidMrs。Mullet；\"can\'tyouimaginetheheadline，\'ValuableHunterStolenbySuffragettes\'？Thepolicewouldscourthecountrysidetilltheyfoundtheanimal。\"
\"Well，JessiemusttryandgetitbackfromPenricardeonthepleathatit\'sanoldfavourite。Shecansayitwasonlysoldbecausethestablehadtobepulleddownunderthetermsofanoldrepairinglease，andthatnowithasbeenarrangedthatthestableistostandforacoupleofyearslonger。\"
\"Itsoundsaqueerproceedingtoaskforahorsebackwhenyou\'vejustsoldhim，\"saidMrs。Mullet，\"butsomethingmustbedone，anddoneatonce。Themanisnotusedtohorses，andIbelieveItoldhimitwasasquietasalamb。Afterall，lambsgokickingandtwistingaboutasiftheyweredemented，don\'tthey？\"
\"Thelambhasanentirelyunmeritedcharacterforsedateness，\"agreedClovis。
Jessiecamebackfromthegolflinksnextdayinastateofmingledelationandconcern。
\"It\'sallrightabouttheproposal，\"sheannouncedhecameoutwithitatthesixthhole。IsaidImusthavetimetothinkitover。Iacceptedhimattheseventh。\"
\"Mydear，\"saidhermother，\"Ithinkalittlemoremaidenlyreserveandhesitationwouldhavebeenadvisable，asyou\'veknownhimsoshortatime。Youmighthavewaitedtilltheninthhole。\"
\"Theseventhisaverylonghole，\"saidJessie；
\"besides，thetensionwasputtingusbothoffourgame。
Bythetimewe\'dgottotheninthholewe\'dsettledlotsofthings。ThehoneymoonistobespentinCorsica，withperhapsaflyingvisittoNaplesifwefeellikeit，andaweekinLondontowindupwith。Twoofhisniecesaretobeaskedtobebridesmaids，sowithourlottherewillbeseven，whichisratheraluckynumber。Youaretowearyourpearlgrey，withanyamountofHonitonlacejabbedintoit。Bytheway，he\'scomingoverthiseveningtoaskyourconsenttothewholeaffair。Sofarall\'swell，butabouttheBrogueit\'sadifferentmatter。
Itoldhimthelegendaboutthestable，andhowkeenwewereaboutbuyingthehorseback，butheseemsequallykeenonkeepingit。Hesaidhemusthavehorseexercisenowthathe\'slivinginthecountry，andhe\'sgoingtostartridingtomorrow。He\'sriddenafewtimesintheRow，onananimalthatwasaccustomedtocarryoctogenariansandpeopleundergoingrestcures，andthat\'saboutallhisexperienceinthesaddle-oh，andherodeaponyonceinNorfolk，whenhewasfifteenandtheponytwenty-four；andtomorrowhe\'sgoingtoridetheBrogue！IshallbeawidowbeforeI\'mmarried，andIdosowanttoseewhatCorsica\'slike；itlookssosillyonthemap。\"
Cloviswassentforinhaste，andthedevelopmentsofthesituationputbeforehim。
\"Nobodycanridethatanimalwithanysafety，\"saidMrs。Mullet，\"exceptToby，andheknowsbylongexperiencewhatitisgoingtoshyat，andmanagestoswerveatthesametime。\"
\"IdidhinttoMr。Penricarde-toVincent，Ishouldsay-thattheBroguedidn\'tlikewhitegates，\"saidJessie。
\"Whitegates！\"exclaimedMrs。Mullet；\"didyoumentionwhateffectapighasonhim？He\'llhavetogopastLockyer\'sfarmtogettothehighroad，andthere\'ssuretobeapigortwogruntingaboutinthelane。\"
\"He\'stakenratheradisliketoturkeyslately，\"
saidToby。
\"It\'sobviousthatPenricardemustn\'tbeallowedtogooutonthatanimal，\"saidClovis，\"atleastnottillJessiehasmarriedhim，andtiredofhim。Itellyouwhat：askhimtoapicnicto-morrow，startingatanearlyhour；he\'snotthesorttogooutforaridebeforebreakfast。ThedayafterI\'llgettherectortodrivehimovertoCrowleighbeforelunch，toseethenewcottagehospitalthey\'rebuildingthere。TheBroguewillbestandingidleinthestableandTobycanoffertoexerciseit；thenitcanpickupastoneorsomethingofthesortandgoconvenientlylame。Ifyouhurryontheweddingabitthelamenessfictioncanbekeptuptilltheceremonyissafelyover。\"
Mrs。Mulletbelongedtoanemotionalrace，andshekissedClovis。
Itwasnobody\'sfaultthattheraincamedownintorrentsthenextmorning，makingapicnicafantasticimpossibility。Itwasalsonobody\'sfault，butsheerill-luck，thattheweatherclearedupsufficientlyintheafternoontotemptMr。PenricardetomakehisfirstessaywiththeBrogue。TheydidnotgetasfarasthepigsatLockyer\'sfarm；therectorygatewaspaintedadullunobtrusivegreen，butithadbeenwhiteayearortwoago，andtheBrogueneverforgotthathehadbeeninthehabitofmakingaviolentcurtsey，aback-pedalandaswerveatthisparticularpointoftheroad。
Subsequently，therebeingapparentlynofurthercallonhisservices，hebrokehiswayintotherectoryorchard，wherehefoundahenturkeyinacoop；latervisitorstotheorchardfoundthecoopalmostintact，butverylittleleftoftheturkey。
Mr。Penricarde，alittlestunnedandshaken，andsufferingfromabruisedkneeandsomeminordamages，good-naturedlyascribedtheaccidenttohisowninexperiencewithhorsesandcountryroads，andallowedJessietonursehimbackintocompleterecoveryandgolf-
fitnesswithinsomethinglessthanaweek。
Inthelistofweddingpresentswhichthelocalnewspaperpublishedafortnightorsolaterappearedthefollowingitem：
\"Brownsaddle-horse，\'TheBrogue，\'bridegroom\'sgifttobride。\"
\"Whichshows，\"saidTobyMullet，\"thatheknewnothing。\"
\"Orelse，\"saidClovis，\"thathehasaverypleasingwit。\"
THEHEN
\"DORABITTHOLZiscomingonThursday，\"saidMrs。
Sangrail。
\"ThisnextThursday？\"askedClovisHismothernodded。
\"You\'veratherdoneit，haven\'tyou？\"hechuckled；
\"JaneMartlethasonlybeenherefivedays，andsheneverstayslessthanafortnight，evenwhenshe\'saskeddefinitelyforaweek。You\'llnevergetheroutofthehousebyThursday。\"
\"WhyshouldI？\"askedMrs。Sangrail；\"sheandDoraaregoodfriends，aren\'tthey？Theyusedtobe，asfarasIremember。\"
\"Theyusedtobe；that\'swhatmakesthemallthemorebitternow。Eachfeelsthatshehasnursedaviperinherbosom。Nothingfanstheflameofhumanresentmentsomuchasthediscoverythatone\'sbosomhasbeenutilisedasasnakesanatorium。\"
\"Butwhathashappened？Hassomeonebeenmakingmischief？\"
\"Notexactly，\"saidClovis；\"ahencamebetweenthem。\"
\"Ahen？Whathen？\"
\"ItwasabronzeLeghornorsomesuchexoticbreed，andDorasoldittoJaneataratherexoticprice。Theybothgoinforprizepoultry，youknow，andJanethoughtshewasgoingtogethermoneybackinalargefamilyofpedigreechickens。Thebirdturnedouttobeanabstainerfromtheegghabit，andI\'mtoldthattheletterswhichpassedbetweenthetwowomenwerearevelationastohowmuchinvectivecouldbegotontoasheetofnotepaper。\"
\"Howridiculous！\"saidMrs。Sangrail。\"Couldn\'tsomeoftheirfriendscomposethequarrel？\"
\"Peopletried，\"saidClovis，\"butitmusthavebeenratherlikecomposingthestormmusicofthe`FliegendeHollander。\'JanewaswillingtotakebacksomeofhermostlibellousremarksifDorawouldtakebackthehen，butDorasaidthatwouldbeowningherselfinthewrong，andyouknowshe\'dassoonthinkofowningslumpropertyinWhitechapelasdothat。\"
\"It\'samostawkwardsituation，\"saidMrs。Sangrail。
\"Doyousupposetheywon\'tspeaktooneanother？\"
\"Onthecontrary，thedifficultywillbetogetthemtoleaveoff。Theirremarksoneachother\'sconductandcharacterhavehithertobeengovernedbythefactthatonlyfourouncesofplainspeakingcanbesentthroughthepostforapenny。\"
\"Ican\'tputDoraoff，\"saidMrs。Sangrail。\"I\'vealreadypostponedhervisitonce，andnothingshortofamiraclewouldmakeJaneleavebeforeherself-allottedfortnightisover。\"
\"Miraclesareratherinmyline，\"saidClovis。\"I
don\'tpretendtobeveryhopefulinthiscasebutI\'lldomybest。\"
\"Aslongasyoudon\'tdragmeintoit-\"stipulatedhismother。
****
\"Servantsareabitofanuisance，\"mutteredClovis，ashesatinthesmoking-roomafterlunch，talkingfitfullytoJaneMartletintheintervalsofputtingtogetherthematerialsofacocktail，whichhehadirreverentlypatentedunderthenameofanEllaWheelerWilcox。Itwaspartlycompoundedofoldbrandyandpartlyofcuracoa；therewereotheringredients，buttheywereneverindiscriminatelyrevealed。
\"Servantsanuisance！\"exclaimedJane，boundingintothetopicwiththeexuberantplungeofahunterwhenitleavesthehighroadandfeelsturfunderitshoofs；\"I
shouldthinktheywere！ThetroubleI\'vehadingettingsuitedthisyearyouwouldhardlybelieve。ButIdon\'tseewhatyouhavetocomplainof-yourmotherissowonderfullyluckyinherservants。Sturridge，forinstance-he\'sbeenwithyouforyears，andI\'msurehe\'saparagonasbutlersgo。\"
\"That\'sjustthetrouble，\"saidClovis。\"It\'swhenservantshavebeenwithyouforyearsthattheybecomeareallyseriousnuisance。The\'hereto-dayandgoneto-
morrow\'sortdon\'tmatter-you\'vesimplygottoreplacethem；it\'sthestayersandtheparagonsthataretherealworry。\"
\"Butiftheygivesatisfaction-\"
\"Thatdoesn\'tpreventthemfromgivingtrouble。
Now，you\'vementionedSturridge-itwasSturridgeIwasparticularlythinkingofwhenImadetheobservationaboutservantsbeinganuisance。\"
\"TheexcellentSturridgeanuisance！Ican\'tbelieveit。\"
\"Iknowhe\'sexcellent，andwejustcouldn\'tgetalongwithouthim；he\'stheonereliableelementinthisratherhaphazardhousehold。Buthisveryorderlinesshashadaneffectonhim。Haveyoueverconsideredwhatitmustbeliketogoonunceasinglydoingthecorrectthinginthecorrectmannerinthesamesurroundingsforthegreaterpartofalifetime？Toknowandordainandsuperintendexactlywhatsilverandglassandtablelinenshallbeusedandsetoutonwhatoccasions，tohavecellarandpantryandplate-cupboardunderaminutelydevisedandundeviatingadministration，tobenoiseless，impalpable，omnipresent，and，asfarasyourowndepartmentisconcerned，omniscient？\"
\"Ishouldgomad，\"saidJanewithconviction。
\"Exactly，\"saidClovisthoughtfully，swallowinghiscompletedEllaWheelerWilcox。
\"ButSturridgehasn\'tgonemad，\"saidJanewithaflutterofinquiryinhervoice。
\"Onmostpointshe\'sthoroughlysaneandreliable，\"
saidClovis，\"butattimesheissubjecttothemostobstinatedelusions，andonthoseoccasionshebecomesnotmerelyanuisancebutadecidedembarrassment。\"
\"Whatsortofdelusions？\"
\"Unfortunatelytheyusuallycentreroundoneoftheguestsofthehouseparty，andthatiswheretheawkwardnesscomesin。Forinstance，hetookitintohisheadthatMatildaSheringhamwastheProphetElijah，andasallthatherememberedaboutElijah\'shistorywastheepisodeoftheravensinthewildernessheabsolutelydeclinedtointerferewithwhatheimaginedtobeMatilda\'sprivatecateringarrangements，wouldn\'tallowanyteatobesentuptoherinthemorning，andifhewaswaitingattablehepassedheroveraltogetherinhandingroundthedishes。\"
\"Howveryunpleasant。Whateverdidyoudoaboutit？\"
\"Oh，Matildagotfed，afterafashion，butitwasjudgedtobebestforhertocuthervisitshort。Itwasreallytheonlythingtobedone，\"saidCloviswithsomeemphasis。
\"Ishouldn\'thavedonethat，\"saidJane，\"Ishouldhavehumouredhiminsomeway。Icertainlyshouldn\'thavegoneaway。\"
Clovisfrowned。
\"Itisnotalwayswisetohumourpeoplewhentheygettheseideasintotheirheads。There\'snoknowingtowhatlengthstheymaygoifyouencouragethem。\"
\"Youdon\'tmeantosayhemightbedangerous，doyou？\"askedJanewithsomeanxiety。
\"Onecanneverbecertain，\"saidClovis；\"nowandthenhegetssomeideaaboutaguestwhichmighttakeanunfortunateturn。Thatispreciselywhatisworryingmeatthepresentmoment。\"
\"What，hashetakenafancyaboutsomeoneherenow？\"askedJaneexcitedly；\"howthrilling！Dotellmewhoitis。\"
You，\"saidClovisbriefly。
\"Me？\"
Clovisnodded。
\"WhoonearthdoeshethinkIam？\"
\"QueenAnne，\"wastheunexpectedanswer。
\"QueenAnne！Whatanidea。But，anyhow，there\'snothingdangerousabouther；she\'ssuchacolourlesspersonality。\"
\"WhatdoesposteritychieflysayaboutQueenAnne？\"
askedClovisrathersternly。
\"TheonlythingthatIcanrememberabouther，\"saidJane，\"isthesaying\'QueenAnne\'sdead。\'\"
\"Exactly，\"saidClovis，staringattheglassthathadheldtheEllaWheelerWilcox，\"dead。\"
\"DoyoumeanhetakesmefortheghostofQueenAnne？\"askedJane。
\"Ghost？Dearno。Nooneeverheardofaghostthatcamedowntobreakfastandatekidneysandtoastandhoneywithahealthyappetite。No，it\'sthefactofyoubeingsoverymuchaliveandflourishingthatperplexesandannoyshim。AllhislifehehasbeenaccustomedtolookonQueenAnneasthepersonificationofeverythingthatisdeadanddonewith，\'asdeadasQueenAnne，\'youknow；andnowhehastofillyourglassatlunchanddinnerandlistentoyouraccountsofthegaytimeyouhadattheDublinHorseShow，andnaturallyhefeelsthatsomething\'sverywrongwithyou。\"
\"Buthewouldn\'tbedownrighthostiletomeonthataccount，wouldhe？\"Janeaskedanxiously。
\"Ididn\'tgetreallyalarmedaboutittilllunchto-
day，\"saidClovis；\"Icaughthimgloweringatyouwithaverysinisterlookandmuttering：\'Oughttobedeadlongago，sheought，andsomeoneshouldseetoit。\'That\'swhyImentionedthemattertoyou。\"
\"Thisisawful，\"saidJane；\"yourmothermustbetoldaboutitatonce。\"
\"Mymothermustn\'thearawordaboutit，\"saidClovisearnestly；\"itwouldupsetherdreadfully。ShereliesonSturridgeforeverything。\"
\"Buthemightkillmeatanymoment，\"protestedJane。
\"Notatanymoment；he\'sbusywiththesilveralltheafternoon。\"
\"You\'llhavetokeepasharplook-outallthetimeandbeonyourguardtofrustrateanymurderousattack，\"
saidJane，addinginatoneofweakobstinacy：\"It\'sadreadfulsituationtobein，withamadbutlerdanglingoveryouliketheswordofWhat\'s-his-name，butI\'mcertainlynotgoingtocutmyvisitshort。\"
Clovissworehorriblyunderhisbreath；themiraclewasanobviousmisfire。
ItwasinthehallthenextmorningafteralatebreakfastthatClovishadhisfinalinspirationashestoodengagedincoaxingrustspotsfromanoldputter。
\"WhereisMissMartlet？\"heaskedthebutler，whowasatthatmomentcrossingthehall。
\"Writinglettersinthemorning-room，sir，\"saidSturridge，announcingafactofwhichhisquestionerwasalreadyaware。
\"Shewantstocopytheinscriptiononthatoldbasket-hiltedsabre，\"saidClovis，pointingtoavenerableweaponhangingonthewall。\"Iwishyou\'dtakeittoher；myhandsarealloveroil。Takeitwithoutthesheath，itwillbelesstrouble。\"
Thebutlerdrewtheblade，stillkeenandbrightinitswell-caredforoldage，andcarrieditintothemorning-room。Therewasadoornearthewriting-tableleadingtoabackstairway；Janevanishedthroughitwithsuchlightningrapiditythatthebutlerdoubtedwhethershehadseenhimcomein。HalfanhourlaterCloviswasdrivingherandherhastily-packedluggagetothestation。
\"Motherwillbeawfullyvexedwhenshecomesbackfromherrideandfindsyouhavegone，\"heobservedtothedepartingguest，\"butI\'llmakeupsomestoryaboutanurgentwirehavingcalledyouaway。Itwouldn\'tdotoalarmherunnecessarilyaboutSturridge。\"
JanesniffedslightlyatClovis\'ideasofunnecessaryalarm，andwasalmostrudetotheyoungmanwhocameroundwiththoughtfulinquiriesastoluncheon-
baskets。
ThemiraclelostsomeofitsusefulnessfromthefactthatDorawrotethesamedaypostponingthedateofhervisit，but，atanyrate，ClovisholdstherecordastheonlyhumanbeingwhoeverhustledJaneMartletoutofthetime-tableofhermigrations。
THEOPENWINDOW
\"MYauntwillbedownpresently，Mr。Nuttel，\"saidaveryself-possessedyoungladyoffifteen；\"inthemeantimeyoumusttryandputupwithme。\"
FramtonNuttelendeavouredtosaythecorrectsomethingwhichshoulddulyflatterthenieceofthemomentwithoutundulydiscountingtheauntthatwastocome。Privatelyhedoubtedmorethaneverwhethertheseformalvisitsonasuccessionoftotalstrangerswoulddomuchtowardshelpingthenervecurewhichhewassupposedtobeundergoing。
\"Iknowhowitwillbe，\"hissisterhadsaidwhenhewaspreparingtomigratetothisruralretreat；\"youwillburyyourselfdownthereandnotspeaktoalivingsoul，andyournerveswillbeworsethaneverfrommoping。I
shalljustgiveyoulettersofintroductiontoallthepeopleIknowthere。Someofthem，asfarasIcanremember，werequitenice。\"
FramtonwonderedwhetherMrs。Sappleton，theladytowhomhewaspresentingoneofthelettersofintroduction，cameintothenicedivision。
\"Doyouknowmanyofthepeopleroundhere？\"askedtheniece，whenshejudgedthattheyhadhadsufficientsilentcommunion。
\"Hardlyasoul，\"saidFramton。\"Mysisterwasstayinghere，attherectory，youknow，somefouryearsago，andshegavemelettersofintroductiontosomeofthepeoplehere。\"
Hemadethelaststatementinatoneofdistinctregret。
\"Thenyouknowpracticallynothingaboutmyaunt？\"
pursuedtheself-possessedyounglady。
\"Onlyhernameandaddress，\"admittedthecaller。
HewaswonderingwhetherMrs。Sappletonwasinthemarriedorwidowedstate。Anundefinablesomethingabouttheroomseemedtosuggestmasculinehabitation。
\"Hergreattragedyhappenedjustthreeyearsago，\"
saidthechild；\"thatwouldbesinceyoursister\'stime。\"
\"Hertragedy？\"askedFramton；somehowinthisrestfulcountryspottragediesseemedoutofplace。
\"YoumaywonderwhywekeepthatwindowwideopenonanOctoberafternoon，\"saidtheniece，indicatingalargeFrenchwindowthatopenedontoalawn。
\"Itisquitewarmforthetimeoftheyear，\"saidFramton；\"buthasthatwindowgotanythingtodowiththetragedy？\"
\"Outthroughthatwindow，threeyearsagotoaday，herhusbandandhertwoyoungbrotherswentofffortheirday\'sshooting。Theynevercameback。Incrossingthemoortotheirfavouritesnipe-shootinggroundtheywereallthreeengulfedinatreacherouspieceofbog。Ithadbeenthatdreadfulwetsummer，youknow，andplacesthatweresafeinotheryearsgavewaysuddenlywithoutwarning。Theirbodieswereneverrecovered。Thatwasthedreadfulpartofit。\"Herethechild\'svoicelostitsself-possessednoteandbecamefalteringlyhuman。
\"Poorauntalwaysthinksthattheywillcomebacksomeday，theyandthelittlebrownspanielthatwaslostwiththem，andwalkinatthatwindowjustastheyusedtodo。
Thatiswhythewindowiskeptopeneveryeveningtillitisquitedusk。Poordearaunt，shehasoftentoldmehowtheywentout，herhusbandwithhiswhitewaterproofcoatoverhisarm，andRonnie，heryoungestbrother，singing\'Bertie，whydoyoubound？\'ashealwaysdidtoteaseher，becauseshesaiditgotonhernerves。Doyouknow，sometimesonstill，quieteveningslikethis，Ialmostgetacreepyfeelingthattheywillallwalkinthroughthatwindow-\"
Shebrokeoffwithalittleshudder。ItwasarelieftoFramtonwhentheauntbustledintotheroomwithawhirlofapologiesforbeinglateinmakingherappearance。
\"IhopeVerahasbeenamusingyou？\"shesaid。
\"Shehasbeenveryinteresting，\"saidFramton。
\"Ihopeyoudon\'tmindtheopenwindow，\"saidMrs。
Sappletonbriskly；\"myhusbandandbrotherswillbehomedirectlyfromshooting，andtheyalwayscomeinthisway。
They\'vebeenoutforsnipeinthemarshesto-day，sothey\'llmakeafinemessovermypoorcarpets。Solikeyoumen-folk，isn\'tit？\"
Sherattledoncheerfullyabouttheshootingandthescarcityofbirds，andtheprospectsforduckinthewinter。ToFramtonitwasallpurelyhorrible。Hemadeadesperatebutonlypartiallysuccessfulefforttoturnthetalkontoalessghastlytopic；hewasconsciousthathishostesswasgivinghimonlyafragmentofherattention，andhereyeswereconstantlystrayingpasthimtotheopenwindowandthelawnbeyond。Itwascertainlyanunfortunatecoincidencethatheshouldhavepaidhisvisitonthistragicanniversary。
\"Thedoctorsagreeinorderingmecompleterest，anabsenceofmentalexcitement，andavoidanceofanythinginthenatureofviolentphysicalexercise，\"announcedFramton，wholabouredunderthetolerablywide-spreaddelusionthattotalstrangersandchanceacquaintancesarehungryfortheleastdetailofone\'sailmentsandinfirmities，theircauseandcure。\"Onthematterofdiettheyarenotsomuchinagreement，\"hecontinued。
\"No？\"saidMrs。Sappleton，inavoicewhichonlyreplacedayawnatthelastmoment。Thenshesuddenlybrightenedintoalertattention-butnottowhatFramtonwassaying。
\"Heretheyareatlast！\"shecried。\"Justintimefortea，anddon\'ttheylookasiftheyweremuddyuptotheeyes！\"
Framtonshiveredslightlyandturnedtowardstheniecewithalookintendedtoconveysympatheticcomprehension。Thechildwasstaringoutthroughtheopenwindowwithdazedhorrorinhereyes。InachillshockofnamelessfearFramtonswungroundinhisseatandlookedinthesamedirection。
Inthedeepeningtwilightthreefigureswerewalkingacrossthelawntowardsthewindow；theyallcarriedgunsundertheirarms，andoneofthemwasadditionallyburdenedwithawhitecoathungoverhisshoulders。A
tiredbrownspanielkeptcloseattheirheels。
Noiselesslytheynearedthehouse，andthenahoarseyoungvoicechantedoutofthedusk：\"Isaid，Bertie，whydoyoubound？\"
Framtongrabbedwildlyathisstickandhat；thehall-door，thegravel-drive，andthefrontgateweredimly-notedstagesinhisheadlongretreat。Acyclistcomingalongtheroadhadtorunintothehedgetoavoidanimminentcollision。
\"Hereweare，mydear，\"saidthebearerofthewhitemackintosh，cominginthroughthewindow；\"fairlymuddy，butmostofit\'sdry。Whowasthatwhoboltedoutaswecameup？\"
\"Amostextraordinaryman，aMr。Nuttel，\"saidMrs。
Sappleton；\"couldonlytalkabouthisillnesses，anddashedoffwithoutawordofgood-byeorapologywhenyouarrived。Onewouldthinkhehadseenaghost。\"
\"Iexpectitwasthespaniel，\"saidtheniececalmly；\"hetoldmehehadahorrorofdogs。HewasoncehuntedintoacemeterysomewhereonthebanksoftheGangesbyapackofpariahdogs，andhadtospendthenightinanewlyduggravewiththecreaturessnarlingandgrinningandfoamingjustabovehim。Enoughtomakeanyonetheirnerve。\"
Romanceatshortnoticewasherspeciality。
THETREASURESHIP
THEgreatgalleonlayinsemi-retirementunderthesandandweedandwaterofthenorthernbaywherethefortuneofwarandweatherhadlongagoensconcedit。
Threeandaquartercenturieshadpassedsincethedaywhenithadtakenthehighseasasanimportantunitofafightingsquadron-preciselywhichsquadronthelearnedwerenotagreed。Thegalleonhadbroughtnothingintotheworld，butithad，accordingtotraditionandreport，takenmuchoutofit。Buthowmuch？Thereagainthelearnedwereindisagreement。Somewereasgenerousintheirestimateasanincome-taxassessor，othersappliedaspeciesofhighercriticismtothesubmergedtreasurechests，anddebasedtheircontentstothecurrencyofgoblingold。OftheformerschoolwasLulu，DuchessofDulverton。
TheDuchesswasnotonlyabelieverintheexistenceofasunkentreasureofalluringproportions；shealsobelievedthatsheknewofamethodbywhichthesaidtreasuremightbepreciselylocatedandcheaplydisembedded。Anauntonhermother\'ssideofthefamilyhadbeenMaidofHonourattheCourtofMonaco，andhadtakenarespectfulinterestinthedeep-searesearchesinwhichtheThroneofthatcountry，impatientperhapsofitsterrestrialrestrictions，waswonttoimmerseitself。
ItwasthroughtheinstrumentalityofthisrelativethattheDuchesslearnedofaninvention，perfectedandverynearlypatentedbyaMonegaskansavant，bymeansofwhichthehome-lifeoftheMediterraneansardinemightbestudiedatadepthofmanyfathomsinacoldwhitelightofmorethanball-roombrilliancy。Implicatedinthisinvention（and，intheDuchess\'seyes，themostattractivepartofit）wasanelectricsuctiondredge，speciallydesignedfordraggingtothesurfacesuchobjectsofinterestandvalueasmightbefoundinthemoreaccessiblelevelsoftheocean-bed。Therightsoftheinventionweretobeacquiredforamatterofeighteenhundredfrancs，andtheapparatusforafewthousandmore。TheDuchessofDulvertonwasrich，astheworldcountedwealth；shenursedthehope，ofbeingonedayrichatherowncomputation。Companieshadbeenformedandeffortshadbeenmadeagainandagainduringthecourseofthreecenturiestoprobefortheallegedtreasuresoftheinterestinggalleon；withtheaidofthisinventionsheconsideredthatshemightgotoworkonthewreckprivatelyandindependently。Afterall，oneofherancestorsonhermother\'ssidewasdescendedfromMedinaSidonia，soshewasofopinionthatshehadasmuchrighttothetreasureasanyone。Sheacquiredtheinventionandboughttheapparatus。
Amongotherfamilytiesandencumbrances，Lulupossessedanephew，VascoHoniton，ayounggentlemanwhowasblessedwithasmallincomeandalargecircleofrelatives，andlivedimpartiallyandprecariouslyonboth。ThenameVascohadbeengivenhimpossiblyinthehopethathemightliveuptoitsadventuroustradition，buthelimitedhimselfstrictlytothehomeindustryofadventurer，preferringtoexploittheassuredratherthantoexploretheunknown。Lulu\'sintercoursewithhimhadbeenrestrictedofrecentyearstothenegativeprocessesofbeingoutoftownwhenhecalledonher，andshortofmoneywhenhewrotetoher。Now，however，shebethoughtherselfofhiseminentsuitabilityforthedirectionofatreasure-seekingexperiment；ifanyonecouldextractgoldfromanunpromisingsituationitwouldcertainlybeVasco-ofcourse，underthenecessarysafeguardsinthewayofsupervision。WheremoneywasinquestionVasco\'sconsciencewasliabletofitsofobstinatesilence。
SomewhereonthewestcoastofIrelandtheDulvertonpropertyincludedafewacresofshingle，rock，andheather，toobarrentosupportevenanagrarianoutrage，butembracingasmallandfairlydeepbaywherethelobsteryieldwasgoodinmostseasons。Therewasableaklittlehouseontheproperty，andforthosewholikedlobstersandsolitude，andwereabletoacceptanIrishcook\'sideasastowhatmightbeperpetratedinthenameofmayonnaise，Innisglutherwasatolerableexileduringthesummermonths。Luluseldomwentthereherself，butshelentthehouselavishlytofriendsandrelations。SheputitnowatVasco\'sdisposal。
\"Itwillbetheveryplacetopractiseandexperimentwiththesalvageapparatus，\"shesaid；\"thebayisquitedeepinplaces，andyouwillbeabletotesteverythingthoroughlybeforestartingonthetreasurehunt。\"
InlessthanthreeweeksVascoturnedupintowntoreportprogress。
\"Theapparatusworksbeautifully，\"heinformedhisaunt；\"thedeeperonegottheclearereverythinggrew。
Wefoundsomethinginthewayofasunkenwrecktooperateon，too！\"
\"AwreckinInnisglutherBay！\"exclaimedLulu。
\"Asubmergedmotor-boat，theSUB-ROSA，\"saidVasco。
\"No！really？\"saidLulu；\"poorBillyYuttley\'sboat。
Irememberitwentdownsomewhereoffthatcoastsomethreeyearsago。HisbodywaswashedashoreatthePoint。Peoplesaidatthetimethattheboatwascapsizedintentionally-acaseofsuicide，youknow。
Peoplealwayssaythatsortofthingwhenanythingtragichappens。\"
\"Inthiscasetheywereright，\"saidVasco。
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"askedtheDuchesshurriedly。
\"Whatmakesyouthinkso？\"
\"Iknow，\"saidVascosimply。
\"Know？Howcanyouknow？Howcananyoneknow？Thethinghappenedthreeyearsago。\"
\"InalockeroftheSUB-ROSAIfoundawater-tightstrong-box。Itcontainedpapers。\"Vascopausedwithdramaticeffectandsearchedforamomentintheinnerbreast-pocketofhiscoat。Hedrewoutafoldedslipofpaper。TheDuchesssnatchedatitinalmostindecenthasteandmovedappreciablynearerthefireplace。
\"WasthisintheSUB-ROSA\'Sstrong-box？\"sheasked。
\"Ohno，\"saidVascocarelessly，\"thatisalistofthewell-knownpeoplewhowouldbeinvolvedinaverydisagreeablescandaliftheSUB-ROSA\'Spapersweremadepublic。I\'veputyouattheheadofit，otherwiseitfollowsalphabeticalorder。\"
TheDuchessgazedhelplesslyatthestringofnames，whichseemedforthemomenttoincludenearlyeveryonesheknew。Asamatteroffact，herownnameattheheadofthelistexercisedanalmostparalysingeffectonherthinkingfaculties。
\"Ofcourseyouhavedestroyedthepapers？\"sheasked，whenshehadsomewhatrecoveredherself。Shewasconsciousthatshemadetheremarkwithanentirelackofconviction。
Vascoshookhishead。
\"Butyoushouldhave，\"saidLuluangrily；\"if，asyousay，theyarehighlycompromising-\"
\"Oh，theyare，Iassureyouofthat，\"interposedtheyoungman。
\"Thenyoushouldputthemoutofharm\'swayatonce。
Supposinganythingshouldleakout，thinkofallthesepoor，unfortunatepeoplewhowouldbeinvolvedinthedisclosures，\"andLulutappedthelistwithanagitatedgesture。
\"Unfortunate，perhaps，butnotpoor，\"correctedVasco；\"ifyoureadthelistcarefullyyou\'llnoticethatIhaven\'ttroubledtoincludeanyonewhosefinancialstandingisn\'tabovequestion。\"
Luluglaredathernephewforsomemomentsinsilence。Thensheaskedhoarsely：\"Whatareyougoingtodo？\"
\"Nothing-fortheremainderofmylife，\"heansweredmeaningly。\"Alittlehunting，perhaps，\"hecontinued，\"andIshallhaveavillaatFlorence。TheVillaSub-Rosawouldsoundratherquaintandpicturesque，don\'tyouthink，andquitealotofpeoplewouldbeabletoattachameaningtothename。AndIsupposeImusthaveahobby；IshallprobablycollectRaeburns。\"
Lulu\'srelative，wholivedattheCourtofMonaco，gotquiteasnappishanswerwhenshewroterecommendingsomefurtherinventionintherealmofmarineresearch。
THECOBWEB
THEfarmhousekitchenprobablystoodwhereitdidasamatterofaccidentorhaphazardchoice；yetitssituationmighthavebeenplannedbyamaster-strategistinfarmhousearchitecture。Dairyandpoultry-yard，andherbgarden，andallthebusyplacesofthefarmseemedtoleadbyeasyaccessintoitswideflaggedhaven，wheretherewasroomforeverythingandwheremuddybootslefttracesthatwereeasilysweptaway。Andyet，forallthatitstoodsowellinthecentreofhumanbustle，itslong，latticedwindow，withthewidewindow-seat，builtintoanembrasurebeyondthehugefireplace，lookedoutonawildspreadingviewofhillandheatherandwoodedcombe。Thewindownookmadealmostalittleroominitself，quitethepleasantestroominthefarmasfarassituationandcapabilitieswent。YoungMrs。Ladbruk，whosehusbandhadjustcomeintothefarmbywayofinheritance，castcovetouseyesonthissnugcorner，andherfingersitchedtomakeitbrightandcosywithchintzcurtainsandbowlsofflowers，andashelfortwoofoldchina。Themustyfarmparlour，lookingoutontoaprim，cheerlessgardenimprisonedwithinhigh，blankwalls，wasnotaroomthatlentitselfreadilyeithertocomfortordecoration。
\"WhenwearemoresettledIshallworkwondersinthewayofmakingthekitchenhabitable，\"saidtheyoungwomantoheroccasionalvisitors。Therewasanunspokenwishinthosewords，awishwhichwasunconfessedaswellasunspoken。EmmaLadbrukwasthemistressofthefarm；
jointlywithherhusbandshemighthavehersay，andtoacertainextentherway，inorderingitsaffairs。Butshewasnotmistressofthekitchen。
Ononeoftheshelvesofanolddresser，incompanywithchippedsauce-boats，pewterjugs，cheese-graters，andpaidbills，restedawornandraggedBible，onwhosefrontpagewastherecord，infadedink，ofabaptismdatedninety-fouryearsago。\"MarthaCrale\"wasthenamewrittenonthatyellowpage。Theyellow，wrinkledolddamewhohobbledandmutteredaboutthekitchen，lookinglikeadeadautumnleafwhichthewinterwindsstillpushedhitherandthither，hadoncebeenMarthaCrale；
forseventyoddyearsshehadbeenMarthaMountjoy。Forlongerthananyonecouldremembershehadpatteredtoandfrobetweenovenandwash-houseanddairy，andouttochicken-runandgarden，grumblingandmutteringandscolding，butworkingunceasingly。EmmaLadbruk，ofwhosecomingshetookaslittlenoticeasshewouldofabeewanderinginatawindowonasummer\'sday，usedatfirsttowatchherwithakindoffrightenedcuriosity。
Shewassooldandsomuchapartoftheplace，itwasdifficulttothinkofherexactlyasalivingthing。OldShep，thewhite-nozzled，stiff-limbedcollie，waitingforhistimetodie，seemedalmostmorehumanthanthewithered，dried-upoldwoman。Hehadbeenariotous，roysteringpuppy，madwiththejoyoflife，whenshewasalreadyatottering，hobblingdame；nowhewasjustablind，breathingcarcase，nothingmore，andshestillworkedwithfrailenergy，stillsweptandbakedandwashed，fetchedandcarried。Ifthereweresomethinginthesewiseolddogsthatdidnotperishutterlywithdeath，Emmausedtothinktoherself，whatgenerationsofghost-dogstheremustbeoutonthosehills，thatMarthahadrearedandfedandtendedandspokenalastgoodbyewordtointhatoldkitchen。Andwhatmemoriesshemusthaveofhumangenerationsthathadpassedawayinhertime。Itwasdifficultforanyone，letaloneastrangerlikeEmma，togethertotalkofthedaysthathadbeen；
hershrill，quaveringspeechwasofdoorsthathadbeenleftunfastened，pailsthathadgotmislaid，calveswhosefeeding-timewasoverdue，andthevariouslittlefaultsandlapsesthatchequerafarmhouseroutine。Nowandagain，whenelectiontimecameround，shewouldunstoreherrecollectionsoftheoldnamesroundwhichthefighthadwagedinthedaysgoneby。TherehadbeenaPalmerston，thathadbeenanamedownTivertonway；
Tivertonwasnotafarjourneyasthecrowflies，buttoMarthaitwasalmostaforeigncountry。LatertherehadbeenNorthcotesandAclands，andmanyothernewernamesthatshehadforgotten；thenameschanged，butitwasalwaysLibrulsandToories，YellowsandBlues。Andtheyalwaysquarrelledandshoutedastowhowasrightandwhowaswrong。Theonetheyquarrelledaboutmostwasafineoldgentlemanwithanangryface-shehadseenhispictureonthewalls。Shehadseenitonthefloortoo，witharottenapplesquashedoverit，forthefarmhadchangeditspoliticsfromtimetotime。Marthahadneverbeenononesideortheother；noneof\"they\"hadeverdonethefarmastrokeofgood。Suchwashersweepingverdict，givenwithallapeasant\'sdistrustoftheoutsideworld。
Whenthehalf-frightenedcuriosityhadsomewhatfadedaway，EmmaLadbrukwasuncomfortablyconsciousofanotherfeelingtowardstheoldwoman。Shewasaquaintoldtradition，lingeringabouttheplace，shewaspartandparcelofthefarmitself，shewassomethingatoncepatheticandpicturesque-butshewasdreadfullyintheway。Emmahadcometothefarmfullofplansforlittlereformsandimprovements，inparttheresultoftraininginthenewestwaysandmethods，inparttheoutcomeofherownideasandfancies。Reformsinthekitchenregion，ifthosedeafoldearscouldhavebeeninducedtogivethemevenahearing，wouldhavemetwithshortshriftandscornfulrejection，andthekitchenregionspreadoverthezoneofdairyandmarketbusinessandhalftheworkofthehousehold。Emma，withthelatestscienceofdead-poultrydressingatherfinger-tips，satby，anunheededwatcher，whileoldMarthatrussedthechickensforthemarket-stallasshehadtrussedthemfornearlyfour-scoreyears-alllegandnobreast。Andthehundredhintsanenteffectivecleaningandlabour-
lighteningandthethingsthatmakeforwholesomenesswhichtheyoungwomanwasreadytoimpartortoputintoactiondroppedawayintonothingnessbeforethatwan，muttering，unheedingpresence。Aboveall，thecovetedwindowcorner，thatwastobeadainty，cheerfuloasisinthegauntoldkitchen，stoodnowchokedandlumberedwithalitterofoddsandendsthatEmma，forallhernominalauthority，wouldnothavedaredorcaredtodisplace；
overthemseemedtobespuntheprotectionofsomethingthatwaslikeahumancobweb。DecidedlyMarthawasintheway。Itwouldhavebeenanunworthymeannesstohavewishedtoseethespanofthatbraveoldlifeshortenedbyafewpaltrymonths，butasthedaysspedbyEmmawasconsciousthatthewishwasthere，disownedthoughitmightbe，lurkingatthebackofhermind。
Shefeltthemeannessofthewishcomeoverherwithaqualmofself-reproachonedaywhenshecameintothekitchenandfoundanunaccustomedstateofthingsinthatusuallybusyquarter。OldMarthawasnotworking。A
basketofcornwasonthefloorbyherside，andoutintheyardthepoultrywerebeginningtoclamouraprotestofoverduefeeding-time。ButMarthasathuddledinashrunkenbunchonthewindowseat，lookingoutwithherdimoldeyesasthoughshesawsomethingstrangerthantheautumnlandscape。
\"Isanythingthematter，Martha？\"askedtheyoungwoman。
\"\'Tisdeath，\'tisdeatha-coming，\"answeredthequaveringvoice；\"Iknew\'twerecoming。Iknewit。
\'Tweren\'tfornothingthatoldShep\'sbeenhowlingallmorning。An\'lastnightIheardthescreech-owlgivethedeath-cry，andthereweresomethingwhiteasrunacrosstheyardyesterday；\'tweren\'tacatnorastoat，\'tweresomething。Thefowlsknew\'tweresomething；theyalldrewofftooneside。Ay，there\'sbeenwarnings。Iknewitwerea-coming。\"
Theyoungwoman\'seyescloudedwithpity。Theoldthingsittingtheresowhiteandshrunkenhadoncebeenamerry，noisychild，playingaboutinlanesandhay-loftsandfarmhousegarrets；thathadbeeneightyoddyearsago，andnowshewasjustafrailoldbodycoweringundertheapproachingchillofthedeaththatwascomingatlasttotakeher。Itwasnotprobablethatmuchcouldbedoneforher，butEmmahastenedawaytogetassistanceandcounsel。Herhusband，sheknew，wasdownatatree-
fellingsomelittledistanceoff，butshemightfindsomeotherintelligentsoulwhoknewtheoldwomanbetterthanshedid。Thefarm，shesoonfoundout，hadthatfacultycommontofarmyardsofswallowingupandlosingitshumanpopulation。Thepoultryfollowedherininterestedfashion，andswinegruntedinterrogationsatherfrombehindthebarsoftheirstyes，butbarnyardandrickyard，orchardandstablesanddairy，gavenorewardtohersearch。Then，assheretracedherstepstowardsthekitchen，shecamesuddenlyonhercousin，youngMr。
Jim，aseveryonecalledhim，whodividedhistimebetweenamateurhorse-dealing，rabbit-shooting，andflirtingwiththefarmmaids。