ust go, of course," Jenny decided. "Chat wouldn't be able to tell
me anything about what really happened."

I had to see Cartmell earlier in the afternoon, so arranged to meet
Margaret at the appointed place. She knew nothing of Fillingford's being
expected, but she had taken a strong liking to Alison and was greatly
pleased with her invitation--only surprised that Jenny should not be
going, too.

"Oh, I told him I couldn't," said Jenny. Let us call that a diplomatic
evasion.

Sir John Aspenick came into Cartmell's office while I was there. He had
heard rumors of the proposed sale of Oxley Lodge and its estate by
Bertram Ware--and to Jenny. Here was legitimate matter of inquiry and
interest for the county. Aspenick was much interested; but he did not
seem particularly pleased.

"The thing is hardly public property yet," said old Cartmell, "but I'm
sure Miss Driver wouldn't mind its being mentioned to such an old friend
as you are, Sir John. Yes, it's settled. Ware sells and she buys--the
whole thing, lock, stock, and barrel, and at a pretty stiff price,
too--to say nothing of an extra five hundred for early possession."

"Why does she do it?" demanded Aspenick, sitting on the office table and
smoking a cigar.

"Ah! I can sometimes see what a woman is doing by using my eyes, and I
can sometimes see what she's going to do by using my head; but why she
does it or why she's going to do it--that's quite beyond me," said
Cartmell.

"It's a pretty place," I urged. "Good house--nice sized sort of place,
too."

"But who's going to live in it--unless you are, Austin?"

I modestly disclaimed any pretensions--and any desire--to be housed so
handsomely. Sir John frowned in perplexity. "Seems to me she wants the
whole county!" he observed.

"Old Nicholas Driver did, anyhow," said Cartmell with a laugh. "Oxley
wasn't enough for him! He wanted Fillingford Manor--you remember, Sir
John?"

"Well, that didn't come off," said Aspenick dryly; I fancied that he
hinted it had not "come off" with old Nicholas's daughter either--so
far. "Does she mean to let the house?"

"I really don't know anything about it."

"Well, she'll be a good neighbor, I suppose. She can afford to keep her
fences in order, and she won't put up wire. More than I can say for
Ware! His fences were a disgrace, and he's been threatening us with
wire--that's only since we wouldn't have him as candidate, I admit."

"We'll answer for the fences and the wire