clumsiness, an apologetic word that he accepted sulkily. Near to
Paddington, Miss Radford mentioned that, in her opinion, men were most
frightfully stupid, and to her surprise Gertie agreed.

Gertie Higham relieved her aunt from duty in the shop, and a letter
brought by the postman at nine o'clock was handed over the counter to
her direct; the official recommended her to accept the offer, and put
the young gentleman out of his misery. The communication was written
in a large hand, about twelve words to a page, and liberally
underlined. Printed in the corner were a telegraphic address, a
telephone number, directions concerning nearest railway station. For
heading, Morden Place, Ewelme.

"DEAR MISS HIGHAM,--We shall be so glad if you can pay us a visit on
Friday next and stay over for the week-end. _Dear_ Henry is
_particularly_ anxious that you should be here on _Saturday evening_.

"What a _wonderful_ summer we are having!!!--Yours _sincerely_,

"MYRA DOUGLASS."

The girl found a sheet of the best notepaper on the shelves, and wrote
at once.

"DEAR LADY DOUGLASS,--I shall not be able to come to you next Friday.
I am rather busy.

"It is indeed a capital summer. I am enjoying it.--Yours sincerely,

"GERTRUDE HIGHAM."

CHAPTER V.

An easy matter to obtain a full list of other manufacturers in the same
line of business, and when Madame entrusted her with important
errands,--

"I'm sending you, my dear, because I know I can rely upon you!"

--Then advantage was taken of the opportunity to skip up a staircase
and, opening a door that had the word "Inquiries" painted upon it, set
upon the task of routing the defence, to obtain an interview with some
responsible individual. Usually the answer was that no vacancy
existed, but this did not prevent a brief cross-examination. Why was
she leaving Great Titchfield Street, and was it because there did not
exist a sufficient amount of work, and had Hilbert's secured any
important contracts lately, and had the firm any special work in view?
To which questions Miss Higham replied with caution and reserve, so
that frequently the responsible individual came out of his office,
walking with her down the stairs in the endeavour to obtain useful
information. As a rule, the discussion ended with a command that she
should look in again when it chanced she was passing by. At Great
Titchfield Street, when Miss Rabbit and Gertie happened to be, for the
momen