eful; you wished to say
something about my servants."

"I wish to question your servants separately, Miss Wardour."

Constance opened her eyes in quick surprise, then she answered quietly:

"To question my servants! Oh, certainly, Mr. Belknap; when, and where?"

"This evening would suit me; I am going to look about the surrounding
country during the day."

"This evening then, after dinner; will that suit you?"

"Admirably, say at half past eight;" and having completed his
arrangements in this business-like manner, Mr. Belknap asked permission
to pass through the orchard, received it, and, bowing gravely, went
through the wicket, and walked swiftly between the rows of apple trees
straight northward.

At six o'clock that evening, Miss Wardour sent for the gardener.

"Simon," she said sweetly to the cross looking old man, "I engaged a new
man to-day, perhaps you have seen him. I don't expect he can be very
useful to you just at first, and I want you to give him very light
tasks, and treat him kindly; he is a very unfortunate man. If we find
that we can't make him useful after a few days' trial, we will pay him a
month's wages and let him go. That will help him a little."

Then she sent for the new man.

"I thought you might wish to hear the latest report from Mr. Belknap,"
she said graciously. "If I am to be your ally, I intend to keep nothing
back; but I can't help fearing that he may suspect your identity."

"You need not," he replied with confident ease. "He has every reason
for supposing me in California at this moment; besides, he does not know
me well enough to be able to recognize me under a good disguise; our
acquaintance," he added dryly, "has been somewhat one sided, with the
advantage so far on my side. When I told you that I knew Mr. Belknap
well, I did not intend to imply that he knew me equally well."

"Then I will trouble myself no more about the matter," said she lightly.
"Mr. Belknap wishes to examine the servants, that is what I wished to
tell you."

"Very proper in Mr. Belknap."

"Oh! is it? I thought it very absurd. My servants are honesty itself."

"So much the better; Mr. Belknap knows how to go to work, Miss Wardour,
pray feel no prejudice."

"Oh, not at all," ironically. "Now about the report. Be within easy call
to-morrow morning, please, I think we will have it then."

"Thanks."

"I suppose it will be best to have you present, that is, within hearing.
I will arrange that the