ast from the
Nelson Hotel, which was outside the Square, and while he was enjoying it
in bed, after his fashion, she cleaned out and made tidy the
sitting-room. Berwin then dressed and went out for a walk, despite Miss
Greeb's contention that he took the air only at night, like an owl, and
during his absence Mrs. Kebby attended to the bedroom. She then went
about her own business, which was connected with the cleaning of various
other apartments, and only returned at midday and at night to lay the
table for Berwin's luncheon and dinner, or rather dinner and supper,
which were also sent in from the hotel.

For these services Berwin paid her well, and only enjoined her to keep a
quiet tongue about his private affairs, which Mrs. Kebby usually did
until excited by too copious drams of gin, when she talked freely and
unwisely to all the servants in the Square. It was to her observation
and invention that Berwin owed his bad reputation.

Well-known in every kitchen, Mrs. Kebby hobbled from one to the other,
gossiping about the various affairs of her various employers; and when
absolute knowledge failed she took to inventing details which did no
small credit to her imagination. Also, she could tell fortunes by
reading tea-leaves and shuffling cards, and was not above aiding the
maid servants in their small love affairs.

In short, Mrs. Kebby was a dangerous old witch, who, a century back,
would have been burnt at the stake; and the worst possible person for
Berwin to have in his house. Had he known of her lying and prating she
would not have remained an hour under his roof; but Mrs. Kebby was
cunning enough to steer clear of such a danger in the most dexterous
manner. She had a firm idea that Berwin had, in her own emphatic phrase,
"done something" for which he was wanted by the police, and was always
on the look out to learn the secret of his isolated life, in order to
betray him, or blackmail him, or get him in some way under her thumb. As
yet she had been unsuccessful.

Deeming her a weak, quiet old creature, Berwin, in spite of his
suspicious nature, entrusted Mrs. Kebby with the key of the front door,
so that she could enter for her morning's work without disturbing him.
The sitting-room door itself was not always locked, but Berwin usually
bolted the portal of his bedroom, and had invariably to rise and admit
Mrs. Kebby with his breakfast.

The same routine was observed each morning, and everything went
smoothly.