questions to answer. My
uncertainties ended in my taking a way that may make you laugh. I
undressed, and put the nightgown on me. You had worn it--and I had
another little moment of pleasure in wearing it after you.

"The next news that reached us in the servants' hall showed that I had
not made sure of the nightgown a moment too soon. Sergeant Cuff wanted
to see the washing-book.

"I found it, and took it to him in my lady's sitting-room. The Sergeant
and I had come across each other more than once in former days. I was
certain he would know me again--and I was NOT certain of what he might
do when he found me employed as servant in a house in which a valuable
jewel had been lost. In this suspense, I felt it would be a relief to me
to get the meeting between us over, and to know the worst of it at once.

"He looked at me as if I was a stranger, when I handed him the
washing-book; and he was very specially polite in thanking me for
bringing it. I thought those were both bad signs. There was no knowing
what he might say of me behind my back; there was no knowing how soon
I might not find myself taken in custody on suspicion, and searched. It
was then time for your return from seeing Mr. Godfrey Ablewhite off by
the railway; and I went to your favourite walk in the shrubbery, to try
for another chance of speaking to you--the last chance, for all I knew
to the contrary, that I might have.

"You never appeared; and, what was worse still, Mr. Betteredge and
Sergeant Cuff passed by the place where I was hiding--and the Sergeant
saw me.

"I had no choice, after that, but to return to my proper place and my
proper work, before more disasters happened to me. Just as I was going
to step across the path, you came back from the railway. You were making
straight for the shrubbery, when you saw me--I am certain, sir, you saw
me--and you turned away as if I had got the plague, and went into the
house.*

* NOTE: by Franklin Blake.--The writer is entirely mistaken,
poor creature. I never noticed her. My intention was
certainly to have taken a turn in the shrubbery. But,
remembering at the same moment that my aunt might wish to
see me, after my return from the railway, I altered my mind,
and went into the house.

"I made the best of my way indoors again, returning by the servants'
entrance. There was nobody in the laundry-room at that time; and I sat
down there alone. I have told you already of the