your
hair stand up straight; but this is the night for wee Jean.'

Hollyhock, her head in the air, rushed quickly down the avenue. There
was plenty of time still, for the gates would not be locked before nine
o'clock. She went out, therefore, boldly, and reached the dear old
Garden. She wrapped her cloak well about her, so as to disguise
herself as much as possible, and went straight to the kitchen regions,
where the housekeeper, having very little to do now that all the girls
were out and the master was dining with Lord Ian Douglas, was sound
asleep by the kitchen fire.

On her lap reposed Jean, also in profound slumber. Hollyhock whisked
her up in a hurry, petting and cuddling her all the time. A row of
baskets hung just outside the kitchen door. Hollyhock chose one,
placed a warm bit of felt at the bottom, put in a lump of butter for
Jean to lick, fastened her down securely in the basket, and was off and
away, back to Ardshiel.

By that time the other girls had fully carried out the commands of
their liege lady. The cream had been secured by Gentian, who had
scraped her shins a little in climbing in at the window. She had put
the cream into a small jug, and had further procured a saucer.

'That'll do fine,' said Hollyhock. 'Poor Jean, poor beastie, we
mustn't frighten her, or she 'll be off like a flash. Have you got the
number of the English lady's room?'

Yes, Leucha Villiers's room had been discovered. Hollyhock went boldly
upstairs. The little room looked most luxurious. There were
eider-down quilts on every bed in the house, and a particularly pretty
silk one was on the bed of Leucha. Under the eiderdown was a snowy
light counterpane. The room had been already arranged for the night,
and would not be touched again by any one. Although the weather was
beginning to get cold, Mrs Macintyre did not consider it necessary to
have fires in the bedrooms just yet; but wee Jean, cuddled up in
Hollyhock's arms, purred into Hollyhock's face, and presently lay
contentedly down just under the eider-down.

It did not take her long to fall into a deep sleep, and, this done,
Hollyhock placed the saucer brimfull of cream also under the
eider-down, but she slightly raised the latter by means of a little
pile of Lady Leucha's favourite books. When the cat awoke she would
drink her cream, and then sleep on until she was disturbed.

Hollyhock was rejoiced to find that Lady Leucha's room was close to her
own;