the
day,' says he. 'I should lose the ring. I should marry the wrong party. I
should forget to kiss the bridesmaids. Lord knows what I shouldn't do. So
we're going up to London to be married on the Q.T., and don't you say
nothing to nobody."

"So you've been in this conspiracy for a fortnight," said Zora severely,
"and you never thought it your duty to stop him doing so foolish a thing?"

"As getting married, ma'am?"

"No. Such a silly thing as running away."

"Of course I did, ma'am," said Wiggleswick, who went on mendaciously to
explain that he had used every means in his power to prevail on his master
to submit to the orthodox ceremony for the sake of the family.

"Then you might have given me a hint as to what was going on."

Wiggleswick assumed a shocked expression. "And disobey my master? Orders is
orders, ma'am. I once wore the Queen's uniform."

Zora, sitting on the arm of a chair, half steadying herself with her
umbrella, regarded the old man standing respectfully at attention before
her with a smile whose quizzicality she could not restrain. The old villain
drew himself up in a dignified way.

"I don't mean the government uniform, ma'am. I've had my misfortunes like
anyone else. I was once in the army--in the band."

"Mr. Dix told me that you had been in the band," said Zora with all her
graciousness, so as to atone for the smile. "You played that instrument in
the corner."

"I did, ma'am," said Wiggleswick.

Zora looked down at the point of her umbrella on the floor. Having no
reason to disbelieve Wiggleswick's circumstantial though entirely
fictitious story, and having by the smile put herself at a disadvantage,
she felt uncomfortably routed.

"Your master never told you where he was going or how long he was likely to
be away?" she asked.

"My master, ma'am," replied Wiggleswick, "never knows where he is going.
That's why he wants a wife who can tell him."

Zora rose and looked around her. Then, with a sweep of her umbrella
indicating the general dustiness and untidiness of the room:

"The best thing you can do," said she, "is to have the house thoroughly
cleaned and put in order. They may be back any day. I'll send in a
charwoman to help you."

"Thank you, ma'am," said Wiggleswick, somewhat glumly. Although he had lied
volubly to her for his own ends, he stood in awe of her commanding
personality, and never dreamed of disregarding her high behests. But he had
a moral disapproval of work