level. Oolanga, having tried standing tiptoe on the highest
point near, and holding the lantern as high as he could, threw the light
round the edges of the door to see if he could find anywhere a hole or a
flaw in the metal through which he could obtain a glimpse. Foiled in
this, he brought from the shrubbery a plank, which he leant against the
top of the door and then climbed up with great dexterity. This did not
bring him near enough to the window-hole to look in, or even to throw the
light of the lantern through it, so he climbed down and carried the plank
back to the place from which he had got it. Then he concealed himself
near the iron door and waited, manifestly with the intent of remaining
there till someone came near. Presently Lady Arabella, moving
noiselessly through the shade, approached the door. When he saw her
close enough to touch it, Oolanga stepped forward from his concealment,
and spoke in a whisper, which through the gloom sounded like a hiss.

"I want to see you, missy--soon and secret."

"What do you want?"

"You know well, missy; I told you already."

She turned on him with blazing eyes, the green tint in them glowing like
emeralds.

"Come, none of that. If there is anything sensible which you wish to say
to me, you can see me here, just where we are, at seven o'clock."

He made no reply in words, but, putting the backs of his hands together,
bent lower and lower till his forehead touched the earth. Then he rose
and went slowly away.

Adam Salton, from his hiding-place, saw and wondered. In a few minutes
he moved from his place and went home to Lesser Hill, fully determined
that seven o'clock would find him in some hidden place behind Diana's
Grove.

At a little before seven Adam stole softly out of the house and took the
back-way to the rear of Diana's Grove. The place seemed silent and
deserted, so he took the opportunity of concealing himself near the spot
whence he had seen Oolanga trying to investigate whatever was concealed
behind the iron door. He waited, perfectly still, and at last saw a
gleam of white passing soundlessly through the undergrowth. He was not
surprised when he recognised the colour of Lady Arabella's dress. She
came close and waited, with her face to the iron door. From some place
of concealment near at hand Oolanga appeared, and came close to her. Adam
noticed, with surprised amusement, that over his shoulder was the box
with the mongoose. Of cour