ice.

"I think she's at home. Isn't she expecting you?" Radmore had taken the
woman for a superior servant.

"She's not expecting me exactly, but me and my 'usband have been 'oping
for a letter from Mrs. Crofton. As nothing's come, I thought I'd just
come down and see 'er. My 'usband asked 'er to get the address of a
gentleman who 'e thinks might 'elp 'im--Major Radmore. I don't suppose
as what you've ever 'eard of 'im, sir?"

Radmore said quietly, "I know Major Radmore rather well. May I ask your
name?"

She hesitated, then answered:--"Mrs. Piper, sir. My 'usband was Colonel
Crofton's dog-breeding assistant, and 'e's about to start for 'imself in
the same line, if 'e can get the money that's been promised 'im. If 'e
can't get that money--well, 'e'll have to go into service again, and 'e
thought that Major Radmore, who's a kind, generous gentleman, might 'elp
'im to a job."

Radmore felt amused, interested, and, yes, a little touched. Evidently
his distaste for Piper had not been reciprocal.

"I suppose to start dog-breeding requires a good bit of money," he said.

"Well, sir, it's this way. Fancy dogs fetch a good bit more money than
they did. Such a lot o' breeding stopped during the War. But what with
one thing and another, and prices 'aving gone up so, Piper says 'twould
be no good going in for such a thing under a matter of L500. But we've
got good hopes of getting the money," said the woman composedly.

"Have you indeed?"

Then he felt rather ashamed of the little game he was playing with this
no doubt excellent woman.

"Look here, Mrs. Piper," he exclaimed, "perhaps I ought to tell you
frankly that _my_ name is Radmore. I no longer call myself 'Major
Radmore.' My address for the present is Old Place, Beechfield. But
Beechfield alone would find me, and I hope your husband will let me
know if I can do anything for him."

"There now! Could one ever hope for such a thing coming to pass as my
meeting you, sir, accidental like?"

Mrs. Piper was genuinely moved and excited. She felt that Providence, in
whom she only believed when she was in trouble, had done her a good turn.
For a moment or two she remained silent, thinking intently, wondering
whether she dared take advantage of this extraordinary chance--a chance
that might never occur again.

"I take it, sir," she said at last, "that you are a friend of Mrs.
Crofton's?"

"Of course I am well acquainted with the lady you name." There came a
tone of r