chair, and looking the picture of woe; 'I only know I have lost what I
promised to keep safely, and I know that Major Lester's great desire
has been to get at that cupboard. We won't say anything about it to
the maids, Clare, but I will write a little note to Mr. Alick, asking
him to come and see me the first thing to-morrow morning. I will tell
him exactly what has happened, and then with your help he can open the
cupboard, and we shall no longer have the responsibility of it.'

With this wise decision Agatha brightened up, and Clare, who loved
nothing better than a mystery, grew quite animated in discussing the
matter, and offering her advice. Elfie was taken into counsel, and the
three resolved to say nothing till they laid the facts before Alick
Lester.

One of the maids was despatched with a note to the Hall, and Agatha
received a polite reply from the young man, saying that he hoped to
call on her about eleven o'clock the next morning.

But Agatha could get no sleep that night; she was anxious and ill at
ease, and after tossing about in bed, long after the rest of the
household were deep in sleep, she rose to pace her room, as she
sometimes did when wakeful.

Her lips were moving in prayer, and she was endeavouring, as was her
custom, to commit her trouble to One above, when she was distinctly
conscious of stealthy footsteps treading the gravel path below her
window. It was a bright moonlight night, and she had no light burning.
For one moment she hesitated; then quietly she walked to the window,
which was partly open, and cautiously moving the blind looked out.

The shadow of a man turning the corner of the house towards the study
window met her gaze, and Agatha realized that the time had come for
immediate action. She was naturally a brave woman; yet for an instant,
when she remembered they were but a houseful of women, her courage
faltered. Only for an instant. Her motto, 'Trust in the Lord,'
flashed like a light across her path, and throwing on her dressing
gown, she left her room with quiet, steady steps. She roused Clare,
who slept in the next room, and who, full of nerves and fancies as she
was, delighted in any nocturnal adventure.

'We really ought to have revolvers,' she said, as she rapidly prepared
to follow Agatha downstairs. 'What have you got in your hand? A
poker?'

'Don't make a noise; I think we shall frighten any one away without
rousing the whole house.'

Clare valiantly se