e believe we're harboring spies."

"I don't like the business," he declared stubbornly.

"Let's do nothing foolish," I insisted. "If Raynor has reason to suspect
either or both of these women, we'll hear further from him."

"I've put myself in a hole," he said angrily. "Of course I've got to
advise him immediately that Mrs. Bashford is here. I promised to let him
know as soon as I heard from her."

"Just wait a few days; I undertake to keep them under surveillance; you
can put the whole responsibility on me. If they attempt to leave, I'll
warn you and Raynor instantly, but they have settled themselves as
though they expected to spend the rest of their lives here. Remembering
your visit the other night, you ought to be satisfied with the policing
of the place!"

I told him of Mrs. Bashford's adventures in reaching the house without
convincing him that there was anything funny in her experiences, and he
left on my promise to report to him daily at a given hour and instantly
if anything unusual occurred. I waited for the guards to lock the gates
and bade them keep watch every night until further orders, and was on my
way back through the grounds when Antoine arrested me.

"Pardon me, but I'd like to ask what you think of it, sir?" he asked
hoarsely, falling into step.

"If you mean what do I think of Mrs. Bashford," I replied sharply, "I
think she's quite charming and delightful and all any one could ask in
every way."

"It's her manner of speaking of spookish things, Mr. Singleton. It
doesn't seem fitting in a widow and her so lately bereaved. And the
older lady's quite as bad, sir. The maids tell me they keep talking all
day about fairies and pretending they're queens and such like, and
talking poetry to each other."

"Quoting poetry is a harmless amusement, Antoine, and believing in
fairies and goblins is no crime. Such pastimes argue for sweetness and
innocence of character."

"But the late master never indulged in such things, sir."

"He would have lived longer if he had! It was probably the poetry and
fairies that attracted him to Mrs. Bashford."

"Yes, sir," he acquiesced with a gulp. "I suppose you're right, sir."

"You should be grateful to Mrs. Bashford for not bouncing you all for
the row you made last night. It could be done; in fact, Mr. Torrence has
suggested that legal means could be found for getting rid of you."

"That would be very sad, sir," he said humbly.

"Isn't Mrs. Bashford kind to