ting what was the matter these last three days," said
Allenby darkly. "Look 'ere, miss." He opened a cupboard, disclosing
rows of empty bottles. "I found these 'ere this morning when she was
in the kitchen: I'd been missing bottles from the cellar. She must
have another key to the cellar-door, 'owever she managed it."

There came a tap at the door, and Mr. Linton came in--to have the
situation briefly explained to him.

"I wouldn't have had it happen for something," he said angrily. "My
poor little girl, I didn't think we were letting you in for this sort
of thing."

"Why, you couldn't help it," Norah said. "And she didn't hurt me--she
was only unpleasant. But I think we had better keep her out of Miss
de Lisle's way, or she might be hard to handle."

"That's so, miss," said Allenby. "I'll go and see. 'Ard to 'andle!
I should think so!"

"See that she packs her box, Allenby," said Mr. Linton. "I'll write
her cheque at once, and Con can take her to the station as soon as she
is ready. She's not too bad to travel, I suppose?"

"She's not bad at all, sir. Only enough to make her nasty."

"Well, she can go and be nasty somewhere else," said Mr. Linton.
"Very well, Allenby." He turned to Norah, looking unhappy. "Whatever
will you do, my girl?--and this houseful of people! I'd better
telephone Harry and put his party off."

"Indeed you won't," said Norah, very cheerfully. "I'll manage, Dad.
Don't you worry. I'm going to talk to Miss de Lisle."

The cook-lady was not in the kitchen. Katty, washing vegetables
diligently, referred Norah to her sitting-room, and there she was
found, knitting a long khaki muffler. She heard the story in silence.

"So I must do just the best I can, Miss de Lisle," Norah ended. "And
I'm wondering if you think I must really advertise for another
housekeeper. It didn't seem to me that Mrs. Atkins did much except
give orders, and surely I can do that, after a little practice."
Norah flushed, and looked anxious. "Of course I don't want to make a
mess of the whole thing. I know the house must be well run."

"Well," said Miss de Lisle, knitting with feverish energy, "I couldn't
have said it if you hadn't asked me, but as you have, I would like to
propose something. Perhaps it may sound as if I thought too much of
myself, but with a cook like me you don't need a housekeeper. I have
a conscience: and I know how things ought to be run. So my proposal
is this, and you an