\"Asfarasvaluegoes，\"saidVeraafterashortpause，\"thereismoreinBetsy\'scottagethaninanyotherhouseformilesround。\"
\"Nonsense，\"saidtheaunt；\"shepartedwithwhateveroldchinawareshehadlongago。\"
\"I\'mnottalkingaboutanythingthatbelongstoBetsyherself，\"saidVeradarkly；\"but，ofcourse，youdon\'tknowwhatIknow，andIdon\'tsupposeIoughttotellyou。\"
\"Youmusttellmeatonce，\"exclaimedtheaunt，hersensesleapingintoalertnesslikethoseofaterriersuddenlyexchangingaboreddrowsinessforthelivelyanticipationofanimmediaterathunt。
\"I\'mperfectlycertainthatIoughtn\'ttotellyouanythingaboutit，\"saidVera，\"but，then，IoftendothingsthatIoughtn\'ttodo。\"
\"Ishouldbethelastpersontosuggestthatyoushoulddoanythingthatyououghtnottodoto-\"beganMrs。BebberlyCumbleimpressively。
\"AndIamalwaysswayedbythelastpersonwhospeakstome，\"admittedVera，\"soI\'lldowhatIoughtnottodoandtellyou。\"
Mrs。BebberleyCumblethrustaverypardonablesenseofexasperationintothebackgroundofhermindanddemandedimpatiently：
\"WhatisthereinBetsyMullen\'scottagethatyouaremakingsuchafussabout？\"
\"It\'shardlyfairtosaythatI\'VEmadeafussaboutit，\"saidVera；\"thisisthefirsttimeI\'vementionedthematter，butthere\'sbeennoendoftroubleandmysteryandnewspaperspeculationaboutit。It\'sratheramusingtothinkofthecolumnsofconjectureinthePressandthepoliceanddetectiveshuntingabouteverywhereathomeandabroad，andallthewhilethatinnocent-lookinglittlecottagehasheldthesecret。\"
\"Youdon\'tmeantosayit\'stheLouvrepicture，LaSomethingorother，thewomanwiththesmile，thatdisappearedabouttwoyearsago？\"exclaimedtheauntwithrisingexcitement。
\"Ohno，notthat，\"saidVera，\"butsomethingquiteasimportantandjustasmysterious-ifanything，rathermorescandalous。\"
\"NottheDublin-？\"
Veranodded。
\"Thewholejollylotofthem。\"
\"InBetsy\'scottage？Incredible！\"
\"OfcourseBetsyhasn\'tanideaastowhattheyare，\"saidVera；\"shejustknowsthattheyaresomethingvaluableandthatshemustkeepquietaboutthem。I
foundoutquitebyaccidentwhattheywereandhowtheycametobethere。Yousee，thepeoplewhohadthemwereattheirwits\'endtoknowwheretostowthemawayforsafekeeping，andsomeonewhowasmotoringthroughthevillagewasstruckbythesnuglonelinessofthecottageandthoughtitwouldbejustthething。Mrs。LamperarrangedthematterwithBetsyandsmuggledthethingsin。\"
\"Mrs。Lamper？\"
\"Yes；shedoesalotofdistrictvisiting，youknow。\"
\"Iamquiteawarethatshetakessoupandflannelandimprovingliteraturetothepoorercottagers，\"saidMrs。BebberlyCumble，\"butthatishardlythesamesortofthingasdisposingofstolengoods，andshemusthaveknownsomethingabouttheirhistory；anyonewhoreadsthepapers，evencasually，musthavebeenawareofthetheft，andIshouldthinkthethingswerenothardtorecognise。
Mrs。Lamperhasalwayshadthereputationofbeingaveryconscientiouswoman。\"
\"Ofcourseshewasscreeningsomeoneelse，\"saidVera。\"Aremarkablefeatureoftheaffairistheextraordinarynumberofquiterespectablepeoplewhohaveinvolvedthemselvesinitsmeshesbytryingtoshieldothers。Youwouldbereallyastonishedifyouknewsomeofthenamesoftheindividualsmixedupinit，andI
don\'tsupposeatitheofthemknowwhotheoriginalculpritswere；andnowI\'vegotyouentangledinthemessbylettingyouintothesecretofthecottage。\"
\"Youmostcertainlyhavenotentangledme，\"saidMrs。BebberlyCumbleindignantly。\"Ihavenointentionofshieldinganybody。Thepolicemustknowaboutitatonce；atheftisatheft，whoeverisinvolved。Ifrespectablepeoplechoosetoturnthemselvesintoreceiversanddisposersofstolengoods，well，they\'veceasedtoberespectable，that\'sall。Ishalltelephoneimmediately-\"
\"Oh，aunt，\"saidVerareproachfully，\"itwouldbreakthepoorCanon\'sheartifCuthbertweretobeinvolvedinascandalofthissort。Youknowitwould。\"
\"Cuthbertinvolved！Howcanyousaysuchthingswhenyouknowhowmuchweallthinkofhim？\"
\"OfcourseIknowyouthinkalotofhim，andthathe\'sengagedtomarryBeatrice，andthatitwillbeafrightfullygoodmatch，andthathe\'syouridealofwhatason-in-lawoughttobe。Allthesame，itwasCuthbert\'sideatostowthethingsawayinthecottage，anditwashismotorthatbroughtthem。HewasonlydoingittohelphisfriendPegginson，youknow-theQuakerman，whoisalwaysagitatingforasmallerNavy。
Iforgethowhegotinvolvedinit。Iwarnedyouthattherewerelotsofquiterespectablepeoplemixedupinit，didn\'tI？That\'swhatImeantwhenIsaiditwouldbeimpossibleforoldBetsytoleavethecottage；thethingstakeupagoodbitofroom，andshecouldn\'tgocarryingthemaboutwithherothergoodsandchattelswithoutattractingnotice。Ofcourseifsheweretofallillanddieitwouldbeequallyunfortunate。Hermotherlivedtobeoverninety，shetellsme，sowithduecareandanabsenceofworrysheoughttolastforanotherdozenyearsatleast。Bythattimeperhapssomeotherarrangementswillhavebeenmadefordisposingofthewretchedthings。\"
\"IshallspeaktoCuthbertaboutit-afterthewedding，\"saidMrs。BebberlyCumble。
\"Theweddingisn\'ttillnextyear，\"saidVera，inrecountingthestorytoherbestgirlfriend，\"andmeanwhileoldBetsyislivingrentfree，withsouptwiceaweekandmyaunt\'sdoctortoseeherwhenevershehasafingerache。\"
\"Buthowonearthdidyougettoknowaboutitall？\"
askedherfriend，inadmiringwonder。
\"Itwasamystery-\"saidVera。
\"Ofcourseitwasamystery，amysterythatbaffledeverybody。Whatbeatsmeishowyoufoundout-\"
\"Oh，aboutthejewels？Iinventedthatpart，\"
explainedVera；\"ImeanthemysterywaswhereoldBetsy\'sarrearsofrentweretocomefrom；andshewouldhavehatedleavingthatjollyquincetree。\"
THEFORBIDDENBUZZARDS
\"ISmatchmakingatallinyourline？\"
HugoPeterbyaskedthequestionwithacertainamountofpersonalinterest。
\"Idon\'tspecialiseinit，\"saidClovis；\"it\'sallrightwhileyou\'redoingit，buttheafter-effectsaresometimessodisconcerting-themutereproachfullooksofthepeopleyou\'veaidedandabettedinmatrimonialexperiments。It\'sasbadassellingamanahorsewithhalfadozenlatentvicesandwatchinghimdiscoverthempiecemealinthecourseofthehuntingseason。Isupposeyou\'rethinkingoftheCoulternebgirl。She\'scertainlyjolly，andquiteallrightasfaraslooksgo，andI
believeacertainamountofmoneyadherestoher。WhatI
don\'tseeishowyouwillevermanagetoproposetoher。
InallthetimeI\'veknownherIdon\'trememberhertohavestoppedtalkingforthreeconsecutiveminutes。
You\'llhavetoracehersixtimesroundthegrasspaddockforabet，andthenblurtyourproposaloutbeforeshe\'sgotherwindback。Thepaddockislaidupforhay，butifyou\'rereallyinlovewithheryouwon\'tletaconsiderationofthatsortstopyou，especiallyasit\'snotyourhay。\"
\"IthinkIcouldmanagetheproposingpartrightenough，\"saidHugo，\"ifIcouldcountonbeingleftalonewithherforfourorfivehours。ThetroubleisthatI\'mnotlikelytogetanythinglikethatamountofgrace。
ThatfellowLannerisshowingsignsofinterestinghimselfinthesamequarter。He\'squiteheartbreakinglyrichandisratheraswellinhisway；infact，ourhostessisobviouslyabitflatteredathavinghimhere。
Ifshegetswindofthefactthathe\'sinclinedtobeattractedbyBettyCoulternebshe\'llthinkitasplendidmatchandthrowthemintoeachother\'sarmsalldaylong，andthenwherewillmyopportunitiescomein？Myoneanxietyistokeephimoutofthegirl\'swayasmuchaspossible，andifyoucouldhelpme-\"
\"IfyouwantmetotrotLannerroundthecountryside，inspectingallegedRomanremainsandstudyinglocalmethodsofbeecultureandcropraising，I\'mafraidIcan\'tobligeyou，\"saidClovis。\"Yousee，he\'stakensomethinglikeanaversiontomesincetheothernightinthesmoking-room。\"
\"Whathappenedinthesmoking-room？\"
\"Hetrottedoutsomewell-wornchestnutasthelatestthingingoodstories，andIremarked，quiteinnocently，thatInevercouldrememberwhetheritwasGeorgeII。orJamesII。whowassofondofthatparticularstory，andnowheregardsmewithpolitely-
drapeddislike。I\'lldomybestforyou，iftheopportunityarises，butitwillhavetobeinaroundabout，impersonalmanner。\"
****
\"It\'ssonicehavingMr。Lannerhere，\"confidedMrs。
OlstontoClovisthenextafternoon；\"he\'salwaysbeenengagedwhenI\'veaskedhimbefore。Suchaniceman；hereallyoughttobemarriedtosomenicegirl。Betweenyouandme，Ihaveanideathathecamedownhereforacertainreason。\"
\"I\'vehadmuchthesameidea，\"saidClovis，loweringhisvoice；\"infact，I\'malmostcertainofit。\"
\"Youmeanhe\'sattractedby-\"beganMrs。Olstoneagerly。
\"Imeanhe\'shereforwhathecanget，\"saidClovis。
\"ForwhathecanGET？\"saidthehostesswithatouchofindignationinhervoice；\"whatdoyoumean？He\'saveryrichman。Whatshouldhewanttogethere？\"
\"Hehasonerulingpassion，\"saidClovis，\"andthere\'ssomethinghecangetherethatisnottobehadforlovenorformoneyanywhereelseinthecountry，asfarasIknow。\"
\"Butwhat？Whateverdoyoumean？Whatishisrulingpassion？\"
\"Egg-collecting，\"saidClovis。\"Hehasagentsallovertheworldgettingrareeggsforhim，andhiscollectionisoneofthefinestinEurope；buthisgreatambitionistocollecthistreasurespersonally。Hestopsatnoexpensenortroubletoachievethatend。\"
\"Goodheavens！Thebuzzards，therough-leggedbuzzards！\"exclaimedMrs。Olston；\"youdon\'tthinkhe\'sgoingtoraidtheirnest？\"
\"Whatdoyouthinkyourself？\"askedClovis；\"theonlypairofrough-leggedbuzzardsknowntobreedinthiscountryarenestinginyourwoods。Veryfewpeopleknowaboutthem，butasamemberoftheleagueforprotectingrarebirdsthatinformationwouldbeathisdisposal。I
camedowninthetrainwithhim，andInoticedthatabulkyvolumeofDresser\'s\'BirdsofEurope\'wasoneoftherequisitesthathehadpackedinhistravelling-kit。
Itwasthevolumedealingwithshort-wingedhawksandbuzzards。\"
Clovisbelievedthatifaliewasworthtellingitwasworthtellingwell。
\"Thisisappalling，\"saidMrs。Olston；\"myhusbandwouldneverforgivemeifanythinghappenedtothosebirds。They\'vebeenseenaboutthewoodsforthelastyearortwo，butthisisthefirsttimethey\'venested。
Asyousay，theyarealmosttheonlypairknowntobebreedinginthewholeofGreatBritain；andnowtheirnestisgoingtobeharriedbyagueststayingundermyroof。Imustdosomethingtostopit。DoyouthinkifI
appealedtohim-\"
Clovislaughed。
\"Thereisastorygoingabout，whichIfancyistrueinmostofitsdetails，ofsomethingthathappenednotlongagosomewhereonthecoastoftheSeaofMarmora，inwhichourfriendhadahand。ASyriannightjar，orsomesuchbird，wasknowntobebreedingintheolivegardensofarichArmenian，whoforsomereasonorotherwouldn\'tallowLannertogoinandtaketheeggs，thoughheofferedcashdownforthepermission。TheArmenianwasfoundbeatennearlytodeathadayortwolater，andhisfenceslevelled。ItwasassumedtobeacaseofMussulmanaggression，andnotedassuchinalltheConsularreports，buttheeggsareintheLannercollection。No，Idon\'tthinkIshouldappealtohisbetterfeelingsifIwereyou。\"
\"Imustdosomething，\"saidMrs。Olstontearfully；
\"myhusband\'spartingwordswhenhewentofftoNorwaywereaninjunctiontoseethatthosebirdswerenotdisturbed，andhe\'saskedaboutthemeverytimehe\'swritten。Dosuggestsomething。\"
\"Iwasgoingtosuggestpicketing，\"saidClovis。
\"Picketing！Youmeansettingguardsroundthebirds？\"
\"No；roundLanner。Hecan\'tfindhiswaythroughthosewoodsbynight，andyoucouldarrangethatyouorEvelynorJackortheGermangovernessshouldbebyhissideinrelaysalldaylong。Afellowguesthecouldgetridof，buthecouldn\'tverywellshakeoffmembersofthehousehold，andeventhemostdeterminedcollectorwouldhardlygoclimbingafterforbiddenbuzzards\'eggswithaGermangovernesshangingroundhisneck，sotospeak。\"
Lanner，whohadbeenlazilywatchingforanopportunityforprosecutinghiscourtshipoftheCoulternebgirl，foundpresentlythathischancesofgettinghertohimselffortenminutesevenwerenon-
existent。Ifthegirlwaseveraloneheneverwas。Hishostesshadchangedsuddenly，asfarashewasconcerned，fromthedesirabletypethatletsherguestsdonothinginthewaythatbestpleasesthem，tothesortthatdragsthemoverthegroundlikesomanyharrows。Sheshowedhimtheherbgardenandthegreenhouses，thevillagechurch，somewater-coloursketchesthathersisterhaddoneinCorsica，andtheplacewhereitwashopedthatcelerywouldgrowlaterintheyear。
HewasshownalltheAylesburyducklingsandtherowofwoodenhiveswheretherewouldhavebeenbeesiftherehadnotbeenbeedisease。HewasalsotakentotheendofalonglaneandshownadistantmoundwhereonlocaltraditionreportedthattheDaneshadoncepitchedacamp。AndwhenhishostesshadtodeserthimtemporarilyforotherdutieshewouldfindEvelynwalkingsolemnlybyhisside。Evelynwasfourteenandtalkedchieflyaboutgoodandevil，andofhowmuchonemightaccomplishinthewayofregeneratingtheworldifonewasthoroughlydeterminedtodoone\'sutmost。ItwasgenerallyratherareliefwhenshewasdisplacedbyJack，whowasnineyearsold，andtalkedexclusivelyabouttheBalkanWarwithoutthrowinganyfreshlightonitspoliticalormilitaryhistory。TheGermangovernesstoldLannermoreaboutSchillerthanhehadeverheardinhislifeaboutanyoneperson；itwasperhapshisownfaultforhavingtoldherthathewasnotinterestedinGoethe。Whenthegovernesswentoffpicketdutythehostesswasagainonhandwithanot-to-be-gainsaidinvitationtovisitthecottageofanoldwomanwhorememberedCharlesJamesFox；thewomanhadbeendeadfortwoorthreeyears，butthecottagewasstillthere。Lannerwascalledbacktotownearlierthanhehadoriginallyintended。
HugodidnotbringoffhisaffairwithBettyCoulterneb。Whethersherefusedhimorwhether，aswasmoregenerallysupposed，hedidnotgetachanceofsayingthreeconsecutivewords，hasneverbeenexactlyascertained。Anyhow，sheisstillthejollyCoulternebgirl。
Thebuzzardssuccessfullyrearedtwoyoungones，whichwereshotbyalocalhairdresser。
THESTAKE
\"RONNIEisagreattrialtome，\"saidMrs。Attrayplaintively。\"OnlyeighteenyearsoldlastFebruaryandalreadyaconfirmedgambler。IamsureIdon\'tknowwhereheinheritsitfrom；hisfathernevertouchedcards，andyouknowhowlittleIplay-agameofbridgeonWednesdayafternoonsinthewinter，forthree-penceahundred，andeventhatIshouldn\'tdoifitwasn\'tthatEdithalwayswantsafourthandwouldbecertaintoaskthatdetestableJenkinhamwomanifshecouldn\'tgetme。
Iwouldmuchrathersitandtalkanydaythanplaybridge；cardsaresuchawasteoftime，Ithink。ButastoRonnie，bridgeandbaccaratandpoker-patiencearepositivelyallthathethinksabout。OfcourseI\'vedonemybesttostopit；I\'veaskedtheNorridrumsnottolethimplaycardswhenhe\'soverthere，butyoumightaswellasktheAtlanticOceantokeepquietforacrossingasexpectthemtobotheraboutamother\'snaturalanxieties。\"
\"Whydoyoulethimgothere？\"askedEleanorSaxelby。
\"Mydear，\"saidMrs。Attray，\"Idon\'twanttooffendthem。Afterall，theyaremylandlordsandIhavetolooktothemforanythingIwantdoneabouttheplace；theywereveryaccommodatingaboutthenewrooffortheorchidhouse。Andtheylendmeoneoftheircarswhenmineisoutoforder；youknowhowoftenitgetsoutoforder。\"
\"Idon\'tknowhowoften，\"saidEleanor，\"butitmusthappenveryfrequently。WheneverIwantyoutotakemeanywhereinyourcarIamalwaystoldthatthereissomethingwrongwithit，orelsethatthechauffeurhasgotneuralgiaandyoudon\'tliketoaskhimtogoout。\"
\"Hesuffersquitealotfromneuralgia，\"saidMrs。
Attrayhastily。\"Anyhow，\"shecontinued，\"youcanunderstandthatIdon\'twanttooffendtheNorridrums。
Theirhouseholdisthemostracketyoneinthecounty，andIbelievenooneeverknowstoanhourortwowhenanyparticularmealwillappearonthetableorwhatitwillconsistofwhenitdoesappear。\"
EleanorSaxelbyshuddered。Shelikedhermealstobeofregularoccurrenceandassuredproportions。
\"Still，\"pursuedMrs。Attray，\"whatevertheirownhomelifemaybe，aslandlordsandneighbourstheyareconsiderateandobliging，soIdon\'twanttoquarrelwiththem。Besides，ifRonniedidn\'tplaycardstherehe\'dbeplayingsomewhereelse。\"
\"Notifyouwerefirmwithhim，\"saidEleanor\"I
believeinbeingfirm。\"
\"Firm？Iamfirm，\"exclaimedMrs。Attray；\"Iammorethanfirm-Iamfarseeing。I\'vedoneeverythingI
canthinkoftopreventRonniefromplayingformoney。
I\'vestoppedhisallowancefortherestoftheyear，sohecan\'tevengambleoncredit，andI\'vesubscribedalumpsumtothechurchoffertoryinhisnameinsteadofgivinghiminstalmentsofsmallsilvertoputinthebagonSundays。Iwouldn\'tevenlethimhavethemoneytotipthehuntservantswith，butsentitbypostalorder。
Hewasfuriouslysulkyaboutit，butIremindedhimofwhathappenedtothetenshillingsthatIgavehimfortheYoungMen\'sEndeavourLeague\'Self-DenialWeek。\'\"
\"Whatdidhappentoit？\"askedEleanor。
\"Well，Ronniedidsomepreliminaryendeavouringwithit，onhisownaccount，inconnectionwiththeGrandNational。Ifithadcomeoff，asheexpressedit，hewouldhavegiventheLeaguetwenty-fiveshillingsandnettedacomfortablecommissionforhimself；asitwas，thattenshillingswasoneofthethingstheLeaguehadtodenyitself。SincethenI\'vebeencarefulnottolethimhaveapennypieceinhishands。\"
\"He\'llgetroundthatinsomeway，\"saidEleanorwithquietconviction；\"he\'llsellthings。\"
\"Mydear，he\'sdoneallthatistobedoneinthatdirectionalready。He\'sgotridofhiswrist-watchandhishuntingflaskandbothhiscigarettecases，andI
shouldn\'tbesurprisedifhe\'swearingimitation-goldsleevelinksinsteadofthosehisAuntRhodagavehimonhisseventeenthbirthday。Hecan\'tsellhisclothes，ofcourse，excepthiswinterovercoat，andI\'velockedthatupinthecamphorcupboardonthepretextofpreservingitfrommoth。Ireallydon\'tseewhatelsehecanraisemoneyon。IconsiderthatI\'vebeenbothfirmandfar-
seeing。\"
\"HashebeenattheNorridrumslately？\"askedEleanor。
\"Hewasthereyesterdayafternoonandstayedtodinner，\"saidMrs。Attray。\"Idon\'tquiteknowwhenhecamehome，butIfancyitwaslate。\"
\"Thendependonithewasgambling，\"saidEleanor，withtheassuredairofonewhohasfewideasandmakesthemostofthem。\"Latehoursinthecountryalwaysmeangambling。\"
\"Hecan\'tgambleifhehasnomoneyandnochanceofgettingany，\"arguedMrs。Attray；\"evenifoneplaysforsmallstakesonemusthaveadecentprospectofpayingone\'slosses。\"
\"HemayhavesoldsomeoftheAmherstpheasantchicks，\"suggestedEleanor；\"theywouldfetchabouttenortwelveshillingseach，Idaresay。\"
\"Ronniewouldn\'tdosuchathing，\"saidMrs。Attray；
\"andanyhowIwentandcountedthemthismorningandthey\'reallthere。No，\"shecontinued，withthequietsatisfactionthatcomesfromasenseofpainstakingandmeritedachievement，\"IfancythatRonniehadtocontenthimselfwiththeroleofonlookerlastnight，asfarasthecard-tablewasconcerned。\"
\"Isthatclockright？\"askedEleanor，whoseeyeshadbeenstrayingrestlesslytowardsthemantel-pieceforsomelittletime；\"lunchisusuallysopunctualinyourestablishment。\"
\"Threeminutespastthehalf-hour，\"exclaimedMrs。
Attray；\"cookmustbepreparingsomethingunusuallysumptuousinyourhonour。Iamnotinthesecret；I\'vebeenoutallthemorning，youknow。\"
Eleanorsmiledforgivingly。AspecialeffortbyMrs。Attray\'scookwasworthwaitingafewminutesfor。
Asamatteroffact，theluncheonfare，whenitmadeitstardyappearance，wasdistinctlyunworthyofthereputationwhichthejustly-treasuredcookhadbuiltupforherself。Thesoupalonewouldhavesufficedtocastagloomoveranymealthatithadinaugurated，anditwasnotredeemedbyanythingthatfollowed。Eleanorsaidlittle，butwhenshespoketherewasahintoftearsinhervoicethatwasfarmoreeloquentthanoutspokendenunciationwouldhavebeen，andeventheinsouciantRonaldshowedtracesofdepressionwhenhetastedtherognonsSaltikoff。
\"NotquitethebestluncheonI\'veenjoyedinyourhouse，\"saidEleanoratlast，whenherfinalhopehadflickeredoutwiththesavoury。
\"Mydear，it\'stheworstmealI\'vesatdowntoforyears，\"saidherhostess；\"thatlastdishtastedprincipallyofredpepperandwettoast。I\'mawfullysorry。Isanythingthematterinthekitchen，Pellin？\"
sheaskedoftheattendantmaid。
\"Well，ma\'am，thenewcookhadn\'thardlytimetoseetothingsproperly，cominginsosudden-\"commencedPellinbywayofexplanation。
\"Thenewcook！\"screamedMrs。Attray。
\"ColonelNorridrum\'scook，ma\'am，\"saidPellin。
\"Whatonearthdoyoumean？WhatisColonelNorridrum\'scookdoinginmykitchen-andwhereismycook？\"
\"PerhapsIcanexplainbetterthanPellincan，\"saidRonaldhurriedly；\"thefactis，IwasdiningattheNorridrums\'yesterday，andtheywerewishingtheyhadaswellcooklikeyours，justforto-dayandto-morrow，whilethey\'vegotsomegourmetstayingwiththem：theirowncookisnoearthlygood-well，you\'veseenwhatsheturnsoutwhenshe\'satallflurried。SoIthoughtitwouldberathersportingtoplaythematbaccaratfortheloanofourcookagainstamoneystake，andIlost，that\'sall。Ihavehadrottenluckatbaccaratallthisyear。\"
Theremainderofhisexplanation，ofhowhehadassuredthecooksthatthetemporarytransferhadhismother\'ssanction，andhadsmuggledtheoneoutandtheotherinduringthematernalabsence，wasdrownedintheoutcryofscandalisedupbraiding。
\"IfIhadsoldthewomanintoslaverytherecouldn\'thavebeenabiggerfussaboutit，\"heconfidedafterwardstoBertieNorridrum，\"andEleanorSaxelbyragedandrampedthelouderofthetwo。Itellyouwhat，I\'llbetyoutwooftheAmherstpheasantstofiveshillingsthatsherefusestohavemeasapartneratthecroquettournament。We\'redrawntogether，youknow。\"
Thistimehewonhisbet。
CLOVISONPARENTALRESPONSIBILITIES
MARIONEGGELBYsattalkingtoClovisontheonlysubjectthatsheeverwillinglytalkedabout-heroffspringandtheirvariedperfectionsandaccomplishments。Cloviswasnotinwhatcouldbecalledareceptivemood；theyoungergenerationofEggelby，depictedintheglowingimprobablecoloursofparentimpressionism，arousedinhimnoenthusiasm。Mrs。
Eggelby，ontheotherhand，wasfurnishedwithenthusiasmenoughfortwo。
\"YouwouldlikeEric，\"shesaid，argumentativelyratherthanhopefully。ClovishadintimatedveryunmistakablythathewasunlikelytocareextravagantlyforeitherAmyorWillie。\"Yes，IfeelsureyouwouldlikeEric。Everyonetakestohimatonce。Youknow，healwaysremindsmeofthatfamouspictureoftheyouthfulDavid-Iforgetwhoit\'sby，butit\'sverywellknown。\"
\"Thatwouldbesufficienttosetmeagainsthim，ifIsawmuchofhim，\"saidClovis。\"Justimagineatauctionbridge，forinstance，whenonewastryingtoconcentrateone\'smindonwhatone\'spartner\'soriginaldeclarationhadbeen，andtorememberwhatsuitsone\'sopponentshadoriginallydiscarded，whatitwouldbeliketohavesomeonepersistentlyremindingoneofapictureoftheyouthfulDavid。Itwouldbesimplymaddening。IfEricdidthatIshoulddetesthim。\"
\"Ericdoesn\'tplaybridge，\"saidMrs。Eggelbywithdignity。
\"Doesn\'the？\"askedClovis；\"whynot？\"
\"Noneofmychildrenhavebeenbroughtuptoplaycardgames，\"saidMrs。Eggelby；\"draughtsandhalmaandthosesortsofgamesIencourage。Ericisconsideredquiteawonderfuldraughts-player。\"
\"Youarestrewingdreadfulrisksinthepathofyourfamily，\"saidClovis；\"afriendofminewhoisaprisonchaplaintoldmethatamongtheworstcriminalcasesthathavecomeunderhisnotice，mencondemnedtodeathortolongperiodsofpenalservitude，therewasnotasinglebridge-player。Ontheotherhand，heknewatleasttwoexpertdraughts-playersamongthem。\"
\"Ireallydon\'tseewhatmyboyshavegottodowiththecriminalclasses，\"saidMrs。Eggelbyresentfully。
\"Theyhavebeenmostcarefullybroughtup，Icanassureyouthat。\"
\"Thatshowsthatyouwerenervousastohowtheywouldturnout，\"saidClovis。\"Now，mymotherneverbotheredaboutbringingmeup。ShejustsawtoitthatI
gotwhackedatdecentintervalsandwastaughtthedifferencebetweenrightandwrong；thereissomedifference，youknow，butI\'veforgottenwhatitis。\"
\"Forgottenthedifferencebetweenrightandwrong！\"
exclaimedMrs。Eggelby。
\"Well，yousee，Itookupnaturalhistoryandawholelotofothersubjectsatthesametime，andonecan\'tremembereverything，canone？IusedtoknowthedifferencebetweentheSardiniandormouseandtheordinarykind，andwhetherthewry-neckarrivesatourshoresearlierthanthecuckoo，ortheotherwayround，andhowlongthewalrustakesingrowingtomaturity；I
daresayyouknewallthosesortsofthingsonce，butI
betyou\'veforgottenthem。\"
\"Thosethingsarenotimportant，\"saidMrs。Eggelby，\"but-\"
\"Thefactthatwe\'vebothforgottenthemprovesthattheyareimportant，\"saidClovis；\"youmusthavenoticedthatit\'salwaystheimportantthingsthatoneforgets，whilethetrivial，unnecessaryfactsoflifestickinone\'smemory。There\'smycousin，EdithaClubberley，forinstance；Icanneverforgetthatherbirthdayisonthe12thofOctober。It\'samatterofutterindifferencetomeonwhatdateherbirthdayfalls，orwhethershewasbornatall；eitherfactseemstomeabsolutelytrivial，orunnecessary-I\'veheapsofothercousinstogoonwith。Ontheotherhand，whenI\'mstayingwithHildegardeShrubleyIcanneverremembertheimportantcircumstancewhetherherfirsthusbandgothisunenviablereputationontheTurfortheStockExchange，andthatuncertaintyrulesSportandFinanceoutoftheconversationatonce。Onecannevermentiontravel，either，becausehersecondhusbandhadtolivepermanentlyabroad。\"
\"Mrs。ShrubleyandImoveinverydifferentcircles，\"saidMrs。Eggelbystiffly。
\"NoonewhoknowsHildegardecouldpossiblyaccuseherofmovinginacircle，\"saidClovis；\"herviewoflifeseemstobeanon-stoprunwithaninexhaustiblesupplyofpetrol。Ifshecangetsomeoneelsetopayforthepetrolsomuchthebetter。Idon\'tmindconfessingtoyouthatshehastaughtmemorethananyotherwomanIcanthinkof。\"
\"Whatkindofknowledge？\"demandedMrs。Eggelby，withtheairajurymightcollectivelywearwhenfindingaverdictwithoutleavingthebox。
\"Well，amongotherthings，she\'sintroducedmetoatleastfourdifferentwaysofcookinglobster，\"saidClovisgratefully。\"That，ofcourse，wouldn\'tappealtoyou；peoplewhoabstainfromthepleasuresofthecard-
tableneverreallyappreciatethefinerpossibilitiesofthedining-table。Isupposetheirpowersofenlightenedenjoymentgetatrophiedfromdisuse。\"
\"Anauntofminewasveryillaftereatingalobster，\"saidMrs。Eggelby。
\"Idaresay，ifweknewmoreofherhistory，weshouldfindoutthatshe\'doftenbeenillbeforeeatingthelobster。Aren\'tyouconcealingthefactthatshe\'dhadmeaslesandinfluenzaandnervousheadacheandhysteria，andotherthingsthatauntsdohave，longbeforesheatethelobster？Auntsthathaveneverknownaday\'sillnessareveryrare；infact，Idon\'tpersonallyknowofany。Ofcourseifsheateitasachildoftwoweeksolditmighthavebeenherfirstillness-andherlast。ButifthatwasthecaseIthinkyoushouldhavesaidso。\"
\"Imustbegoing，\"saidMrs。Eggelby，inatonewhichhadbeenthoroughlysterilisedofevenperfunctoryregret。
Clovisrosewithanairofgracefulreluctance。
\"IhavesoenjoyedourlittletalkaboutEric，\"hesaid；\"Iquitelookforwardtomeetinghimsomeday。\"
\"Good-bye，\"saidMrs。Eggelbyfrostily；thesupplementaryremarkwhichshemadeatthebackofherthroatwas-
\"I\'lltakecarethatyounevershall！\"
AHOLIDAYTASK
KENELMJERTONenteredthedining-halloftheGoldenGalleonHotelinthefullcrushoftheluncheonhour。
Nearlyeveryseatwasoccupied，andsmalladditionaltableshadbeenbroughtin，wherefloorspacepermitted，toaccommodatelatecomers，withtheresultthatmanyofthetableswerealmosttouchingeachother。Jertonwasbeckonedbyawaitertotheonlyvacanttablethatwasdiscernible，andtookhisseatwiththeuncomfortableandwhollygroundlessideathatnearlyeveryoneintheroomwasstaringathim。Hewasayoungishmanofordinaryappearance，quietofdressandunobtrusiveofmanner，andhecouldneverwhollyridhimselfoftheideathatafiercelightofpublicscrutinybeatonhimasthoughhehadbeenanotabilityorasuper-nut。Afterhehadorderedhislunchtherecametheunavoidableintervalofwaiting，withnothingtodobuttostareattheflower-
vaseonhistableandtobestaredat（inimagination）byseveralflappers，somematurerbeingsofthesamesex，andasatirical-lookingJew。Inordertocarryoffthesituationwithsomeappearanceofunconcernhebecamespuriouslyinterestedinthecontentsoftheflower-vase。
\"Whatisthenameoftheseroses，d\'youknow？\"heaskedthewaiter。Thewaiterwasreadyatalltimestoconcealhisignoranceconcerningitemsofthewine-listormenu；hewasfranklyignorantastothespecificnameoftheroses。
\"AMYSYLVESTERPARTINGLON，\"saidavoiceatJerton\'selbow。
Thevoicecamefromapleasant-faced，well-dressedyoungwomanwhowassittingatatablethatalmosttouchedJerton\'s。Hethankedherhurriedlyandnervouslyfortheinformation，andmadesomeinconsequentremarkabouttheflowers。
\"Itisacuriousthing，\"saidtheyoungwoman，that，\"Ishouldbeabletotellyouthenameofthoseroseswithoutaneffortofmemory，becauseifyouweretoaskmemynameIshouldbeutterlyunabletogiveittoyou。\"
Jertonhadnotharbouredtheleastintentionofextendinghisthirstforname-labelstohisneighbour。
Afterherratherremarkableannouncement，however，hewasobligedtosaysomethinginthewayofpoliteinquiry。
\"Yes，\"answeredthelady，\"Isupposeitisacaseofpartiallossofmemory。Iwasinthetraincomingdownhere；mytickettoldmethatIhadcomefromVictoriaandwasboundforthisplace。Ihadacoupleoffive-poundnotesandasovereignonme，novisitingcardsoranyothermeansofidentification，andnoideaastowhoI
am。IcanonlyhazilyrecollectthatIhaveatitle；I
amLadySomebody-beyondthatmymindisablank。\"
\"Hadn\'tyouanyluggagewithyou？\"askedJerton。
\"ThatiswhatIdidn\'tknow。Iknewthenameofthishotelandmadeupmymindtocomehere，andwhenthehotelporterwhomeetsthetrainsaskedifIhadanyluggageIhadtoinventadressing-baganddress-basket；
Icouldalwayspretendthattheyhadgoneastray。IgavehimthenameofSmith，andpresentlyheemergedfromaconfusedpileofluggageandpassengerswithadressing-
baganddress-basketlabelledKestrel-Smith。Ihadtotakethem；Idon\'tseewhatelseIcouldhavedone。\"
Jertonsaidnothing，butheratherwonderedwhatthelawfulownerofthebaggagewoulddo。
\"OfcourseitwasdreadfularrivingatastrangehotelwiththenameofKestrel-Smith，butitwouldhavebeenworsetohavearrivedwithoutluggage。Anyhow，I
hatecausingtrouble。\"
JertonhadvisionsofharassedrailwayofficialsanddistraughtKestrel-Smiths，buthemadenoattempttoclothehismentalpictureinwords。Theladycontinuedherstory。
\"Naturally，noneofmykeyswouldfitthethings，butItoldanintelligentpageboythatIhadlostmykey-ring，andhehadthelocksforcedinatwinkling。
Rathertoointelligent，thatboy；hewillprobablyendinDartmoor。TheKestrel-Smithtoilettoolsaren\'tuptomuch，buttheyarebetterthannothing。\"
\"Ifyoufeelsurethatyouhaveatitle，\"saidJerton，\"whynotgetholdofapeerageandgorightthroughit？\"
\"Itriedthat。IskimmedthroughthelistoftheHouseofLordsin\'Whitaker，\'butamereprintedstringofnamesconveysawfullylittletoone，youknow。IfyouwereanarmyofficerandhadlostyouridentityyoumightporeovertheArmyListformonthswithoutfindingoutwhoyourwere。I\'mgoingonanothertack；I\'mtryingtofindoutbyvariouslittletestswhoIamNOT-thatwillnarrowtherangeofuncertaintydownabit。Youmayhavenoticed，forinstance，thatI\'mlunchingprincipallyofflobsterNewburg。\"
Jertonhadnotventuredtonoticeanythingofthesort。
\"It\'sanextravagance，becauseit\'soneofthemostexpensivedishesonthemenu，butatanyrateitprovesthatI\'mnotLadyStarping；shenevertouchesshell-fish，andpoorLadyBraddleshrubhasnodigestionatall；ifI
amHERIshallcertainlydieinagonyinthecourseoftheafternoon，andthedutyoffindingoutwhoIamwilldevolveonthepressandthepoliceandthosesortofpeople；Ishallbepastcaring。LadyKnewforddoesn\'tknowonerosefromanotherandshehatesmen，soshewouldn\'thavespokentoyouinanycase；andLadyMousehiltonflirtswitheverymanshemeets-Ihaven\'tflirtedwithyou，haveI？\"
Jertonhastilygavetherequiredassurance。
\"Well，yousee，\"continuedthelady，\"thatknocksfouroffthelistatonce。\"
\"It\'llberatheralengthyprocessbringingthelistdowntoone，\"saidJerton。
\"Oh，but，ofcourse，thereareheapsofthemthatI
couldn\'tpossiblybe-womenwho\'vegotgrandchildrenorsonsoldenoughtohavecelebratedtheircomingofage。
I\'veonlygottoconsidertheonesaboutmyownage。I
tellyouhowyoumighthelpmethisafternoon，ifyoudon\'tmind；gothroughanyofthebacknumbersofCOUNTRY
LIFEandthosesortofpapersthatyoucanfindinthesmoking-room，andseeifyoucomeacrossmyportraitwithinfantsonoranythingofthatsort。Itwon\'ttakeyoutenminutes。I\'llmeetyouintheloungeabouttea-time。
Thanksawfully。\"
AndtheFairUnknown，havinggraciouslypressedJertonintothesearchforherlostidentity，roseandlefttheroom。Asshepassedtheyoungman\'stableshehaltedforamomentandwhispered：
\"DidyounoticethatItippedthewaiterashilling？
WecancrossLadyUlwightoffthelist；shewouldhavediedratherthandothat。\"
Atfiveo\'clockJertonmadehiswaytothehotellounge；hehadspentadiligentbutfruitlessquarterofanhouramongtheillustratedweekliesinthesmoking-
room。Hisnewacquaintancewasseatedatasmalltea-
table，withawaiterhoveringinattendance。
\"ChinateaorIndian？\"sheaskedasJertoncameup。
\"China，please，andnothingtoeat。Haveyoudiscoveredanything？\"
\"Onlynegativeinformation。I\'mnotLadyBefnal。
Shedisapprovesdreadfullyofanyformofgambling，sowhenIrecognisedawell-knownbookmakerinthehotellobbyIwentandputatenneronanunnamedfillybyWilliamtheThirdoutofMitrovitzaforthethree-fifteenrace。Isupposethefactoftheanimalbeingnamelesswaswhatattractedme。\"
Diditwin？\"askedJerton。
\"No，cameinfourth，themostirritatingthingahorsecandowhenyou\'vebackeditwinorplace。Anyhow，IknownowthatI\'mnotLadyBefnal。\"
\"Itseemstomethattheknowledgewasratherdearlybought，\"commentedJerton。
\"Well，yes，ithasratherclearedmeout，\"admittedtheidentity-seeker；\"aflorinisaboutallI\'vegotleftonme。ThelobsterNewburgmademylunchratheranexpensiveone，and，ofcourse，IhadtotipthatboyforwhathedidtotheKestrel-Smithlocks。I\'vegotratherausefulidea，though。IfeelcertainthatIbelongtothePivotClub；I\'llgobacktotownandaskthehallporterthereifthereareanylettersforme。Heknowsallthemembersbysight，andifthereareanylettersortelephonemessageswaitingformeofcoursethatwillsolvetheproblem。Ifhesaystherearen\'tanyIshallsay：\'YouknowwhoIam，don\'tyou？\'soI\'llfindoutanyway。\"
Theplanseemedasoundone；adifficultyinitsexecutionsuggesteditselftoJerton。
\"Ofcourse，\"saidthelady，whenhehintedattheobstacle，\"there\'smyfarebacktotown，andmybillhereandcabsandthings。Ifyou\'lllendmethreepoundsthatoughttoseemethroughcomfortably。Thankseverso。
Thenthereisthequestionofthatluggage：Idon\'twanttobesaddledwiththatfortherestofmylife。I\'llhaveitbroughtdowntothehallandyoucanpretendtomountguardoveritwhileI\'mwritingaletter。ThenI
shalljustslipawaytothestation，andyoucanwanderofftothesmoking-room，andtheycandowhattheylikewiththethings。They\'lladvertisethemafterabitandtheownercanclaimthem。\"
Jertonacquiescedinthemanoeuvre，anddulymountedguardovertheluggagewhileitstemporaryownerslippedunobtrusivelyoutofthehotel。Herdeparturewasnot，however，altogetherunnoticed。TwogentlemenwerestrollingpastJerton，andoneofthemremarkedtotheother：
\"Didyouseethattallyoungwomaningreywhowentoutjustnow？SheistheLady-\"
Hispromenadecarriedhimoutofearshotatthecriticalmomentwhenhewasabouttodisclosetheelusiveidentity。TheLadyWho？Jertoncouldscarcelyrunafteratotalstranger，breakintohisconversation，andaskhimforinformationconcerningachancepasser-by。
Besides，itwasdesirablethatheshouldkeepuptheappearanceoflookingaftertheluggage。Inaminuteortwo，however，theimportantpersonage，themanwhoknew，camestrollingbackalone。Jertonsummonedupallhiscourageandwaylaidhim。
\"IthinkIheardyousayyouknewtheladywhowentoutofthehotelafewminutesago，atalllady，dressedingrey。Excusemeforaskingifyoucouldtellmehername；I\'vebeentalkingtoherforhalfanhour；she-er-sheknowsallmypeopleandseemstoknowme，soI
supposeI\'vemethersomewherebefore，butI\'mblestifI
canputanametoher。Couldyou-？\"
\"Certainly。She\'saMrs。Stroope。\"
\"MRS。？\"queriedJerton。
\"Yes，she\'stheLadyChampionatgolfinmypartoftheworld。Anawfulgoodsort，andgoesaboutagooddealinSociety，butshehasanawkwardhabitoflosinghermemoryeverynowandthen，andgetsintoallsortsoffixes。She\'sfurious，too，ifyoumakeanyallusiontoitafterwards。Goodday，sir。\"
Thestrangerpassedonhisway，andbeforeJertonhadhadtimetoassimilatehisinformationhefoundhiswholeattentioncentredonanangry-lookingladywhowasmakingloudandfretful-seeminginquiriesofthehotelclerks。
\"Hasanyluggagebeenbroughtherefromthestationbymistake，adress-basketanddressing-case，withthenameKestrel-Smith？Itcan\'tbetracedanywhere。IsawitputinatVictoria，thatI\'llswear。Why-thereismyluggage！andthelockshavebeentamperedwith！\"
Jertonheardnomore。HefleddowntotheTurkishbath，andstayedthereforhours。
THESTALLEDOX
THEOPHILESHLEYwasanartistbyprofession，acattlepainterbyforceofenvironment。Itisnottobesupposedthathelivedonarancheoradairyfarm，inanatmospherepervadedwithhornandhoof，milking-stool，andbranding-iron。Hishomewasinapark-like，villa-
dotteddistrictthatonlyjustescapedthereproachofbeingsuburban。Ononesideofhisgardenthereabuttedasmall，picturesquemeadow，inwhichanenterprisingneighbourpasturedsomesmallpicturesquecowsoftheChannelIslandpersuasion。Atnoondayinsummertimethecowsstoodknee-deepintallmeadow-grassundertheshadeofagroupofwalnuttrees，withthesunlightfallingindappledpatchesontheirmouse-sleekcoats。Eshleyhadconceivedandexecutedadaintypictureoftworeposefulmilch-cowsinasettingofwalnuttreeandmeadow-grassandfilteredsunbeam，andtheRoyalAcademyhaddulyexposedthesameonthewallsofitsSummerExhibition。
TheRoyalAcademyencouragesorderly，methodicalhabitsinitschildren。Eshleyhadpaintedasuccessfulandacceptablepictureofcattledrowsingpicturesquelyunderwalnuttrees，andashehadbegun，so，ofnecessity，hewenton。His\"NoontidePeace，\"astudyoftwoduncowsunderawalnuttree，wasfollowedby\"AMid-daySanctuary，\"astudyofawalnuttree，withtwoduncowsunderit。Induesuccessiontherecame\"WheretheGad-
FliesCeasefromTroubling，\"\"TheHavenoftheHerd，\"and\"A-dreaminDairyland，\"studiesofwalnuttreesandduncows。Histwoattemptstobreakawayfromhisowntraditionweresignalfailures：\"TurtleDovesalarmedbySparrow-hawk\"and\"WolvesontheRomanCampagna\"camebacktohisstudiointheguiseofabominableheresies，andEshleyclimbedbackintograceandthepublicgazewith\"AShadedNookwhereDrowsyMilkersDream。\"