and down the
stairs. The door of the sitting-room was open. She knocked and
entered, to find Mr. Clancy, who looked rougher and more foolish than
ever, standing by the table. Miss Loach, with a pack of cards on her
lap, was talking, and Susan heard the concluding sentence as she
entered the room.

"You're a fool, Clancy," said Miss Loach, emphatically. "You know Mrs.
Herne doesn't like to be contradicted. You've sent her away in a fine
rage, and she's taken Hale with her. Quite spoilt our game of--ah,
here's Susan. Off with you, Clancy. I wish to be alone."

The man would have spoken, but Miss Loach silenced him with a sharp
gesture and pointed to the door. In silence he went upstairs with
Susan, and in silence left the house. It was a fine night, and Susan
stopped for a moment at the door to drink in the fresh air. She heard
the heavy footsteps of a policeman draw near and he passed the house,
to disappear into the path on the opposite side of the road. When
Susan returned to the kitchen she found supper ready. Soon the
servants were seated at the table and talking brightly.

"Who does that house at the back belong to?" asked Susan.

"To Lord Caranby," said Thomas, although not directly addressed. "It's
unfinished."

"Yes and shut up. Lord Caranby was in love with a lady and built that
house for her. Before it was ready the lady died and Lord Caranby left
the house as it was and built a high wall round it. He then went
travelling and has been travelling ever since. He never married
either, and his nephew, Mr. Cuthbert Mallow, is heir to the title."

"I thought you said Lord Caranby loved Miss Loach?"

"No, I didn't. I said she could have married him had she played her
cards properly. But she didn't, and Lord Caranby went away. The lady
who died was a friend of missus, and they were always together. I
think missus and she were jealous of Lord Caranby, both loving him.
But Miss Saul--that was the other lady--died, and Lord Caranby left the
house as it stands, to go away."

"He won't allow anyone to set a foot in the house or grounds," said
Mrs. Pill, "there ain't no gate in the wall--"

"No gate," echoed Susan astonished.

"Not a single 'ole as you could get a cat through. Round and round the
place that fifteen-feet wall is built, and the park, as they calls it,
is running as wild as a cow. Not a soul has set foot in that place for
the last fifteen years. But I expect when Mr. Mallow