u understand, at my own
time. Good morning to you."

"If you would only wait, sir," pleaded the agonized Fisher.

"Wait be hanged," snarled the other. "I've waited three years, I tell
you. Tell Mr. Kara to expect me when he sees me!"

He went out and most unnecessarily banged the door behind him. Fisher
went back to the library. The girl was sealing up some letters as he
entered and looked up.

"I am afraid, Miss Holland, I've got myself into very serious trouble."

"What is that, Fisher!" asked the girl.

"There was a gentleman coming to see Mr. Kara, whom Mr. Kara
particularly wanted to see."

"Mr. Gathercole," said the girl quickly.

Fisher nodded.

"Yes, miss, I couldn't get him to stay though."

She pursed her lips thoughtfully.

"Mr. Kara will be very cross, but I don't see how you can help it. I
wish you had called me."

"He never gave a chance, miss," said Fisher, with a little smile, "but
if he comes again I'll show him straight up to you."

She nodded.

"Is there anything you want, miss?" he asked as he stood at the door.

"What time did Mr. Kara say he would be back?"

"At six o'clock, miss," the man replied.

"There is rather an important letter here which has to be delivered."

"Shall I ring up for a messenger?"

"No, I don't think that would be advisable. You had better take it
yourself."

Kara was in the habit of employing Fisher as a confidential messenger
when the occasion demanded such employment.

"I will go with pleasure, miss," he said.

It was a heaven-sent opportunity for Fisher, who had been inventing
some excuse for leaving the house. She handed him the letter and he read
without a droop of eyelid the superscription:

"T. X. Meredith, Esq., Special Service Dept., Scotland Yard, Whitehall."

He put it carefully in his pocket and went from the room to change.
Large as the house was Kara did not employ a regular staff of servants.
A maid and a valet comprised the whole of the indoor staff. His cook,
and the other domestics, necessary for conducting an establishment of
that size, were engaged by the day.

Kara had returned from the country earlier than had been anticipated,
and, save for Fisher, the only other person in the house beside the
girl, was the middle-aged domestic who was parlour-maid, serving-maid
and housekeeper in one.

Miss Holland sat at her desk to all appearance reading over the
letters she had typed that afternoon but her mind was very far from th