n who was visitin' him that they would do him a
mischief if they got into wrong hands. And it seems that Mr. Tom told
Miss Dane all about 'em, and gave her the secret of opening that
cupboard.'

From this statement Watson went on to work upon Jane's love of
discovering a mystery and her insatiable curiosity; and at last led her
to thoroughly search Agatha's room for any papers bearing on the
subject. Quite by accident she came upon the secret drawer in the
dressing-case. The fastening had become insecure, and, trembling at
her audacity, Jane carried the packet to her lover, begging him to
return it to her when he had possessed himself of its secret. The next
move was to get her to leave the study windows unfastened, and here
Jane's fortitude gave way.

'I know it was wicked, ma'am, but Watson, he told me it couldn't do you
a injury; he wasn't a housebreaker, he wouldn't lay his finger on any
property of yours! he only wanted to get his master what rightfully
belonged to him. Major Lester, he would handsomely reward him for it,
and so I did as he told me, but I never slept a wink all last night,
and when I heard you go downstairs, I could have screamed out "Murder!"
I was that scared.'

Then Jane begged and prayed with heartfelt sobs for forgiveness, and
Agatha, feeling a pity for her, told her she would not dismiss her
without a character, as at first she had determined to do, but would
let her stay on for the month, at the end of which time she must go, as
she could never keep a maid who had proved so utterly untrustworthy.

Coming downstairs from this interview with a worn face and anxious
heart, Agatha was met by Elfie.

'Mr. Lester has come, Agatha. I met him in the garden, and he is in
the drawing-room waiting for you.'

CHAPTER XV

Alick Lester

He was a man of honour, of noble and generous nature.'--_Longfellow._

Mr. Alick Lester proved to be a pleasant, frank young fellow, with the
sunniest eyes and smile that Agatha had ever seen. She took to him at
once, and found herself telling him without any hesitation the history
of the lost packet. He listened attentively, but was indignant when
Agatha hinted that Watson might have acted under the major's
instructions.

'No, Miss Dane, my uncle is a gentleman. He would never stoop so low
as that. I know he tried to blacken my dear father's character, but he
idolized his son, and hardly realized the mischief he was doing.
Watson is a thoro