"Asfarasvaluegoes，"saidVeraafterashortpause，"thereismoreinBetsy'scottagethaninanyotherhouseformilesround。"
　　"Nonsense，"saidtheaunt；"shepartedwithwhateveroldchinawareshehadlongago。"
　　"I'mnottalkingaboutanythingthatbelongstoBetsyherself，"saidVeradarkly；"but，ofcourse，youdon'tknowwhatIknow，andIdon'tsupposeIoughttotellyou。"
　　"Youmusttellmeatonce，"exclaimedtheaunt，hersensesleapingintoalertnesslikethoseofaterriersuddenlyexchangingaboreddrowsinessforthelivelyanticipationofanimmediaterathunt。
　　"I'mperfectlycertainthatIoughtn'ttotellyouanythingaboutit，"saidVera，"but，then，IoftendothingsthatIoughtn'ttodo。"
　　"Ishouldbethelastpersontosuggestthatyoushoulddoanythingthatyououghtnottodoto-"beganMrs。BebberlyCumbleimpressively。
　　"AndIamalwaysswayedbythelastpersonwhospeakstome，"admittedVera，"soI'lldowhatIoughtnottodoandtellyou。"
　　Mrs。BebberleyCumblethrustaverypardonablesenseofexasperationintothebackgroundofhermindanddemandedimpatiently：
　　"WhatisthereinBetsyMullen'scottagethatyouaremakingsuchafussabout？"
　　"It'shardlyfairtosaythatI'VEmadeafussaboutit，"saidVera；"thisisthefirsttimeI'vementionedthematter，butthere'sbeennoendoftroubleandmysteryandnewspaperspeculationaboutit。It'sratheramusingtothinkofthecolumnsofconjectureinthePressandthepoliceanddetectiveshuntingabouteverywhereathomeandabroad，andallthewhilethatinnocent-lookinglittlecottagehasheldthesecret。"
　　"Youdon'tmeantosayit'stheLouvrepicture，LaSomethingorother，thewomanwiththesmile，thatdisappearedabouttwoyearsago？"exclaimedtheauntwithrisingexcitement。
　　"Ohno，notthat，"saidVera，"butsomethingquiteasimportantandjustasmysterious-ifanything，rathermorescandalous。"
　　"NottheDublin-？"
　　Veranodded。
　　"Thewholejollylotofthem。"
　　"InBetsy'scottage？Incredible！"
　　"OfcourseBetsyhasn'tanideaastowhattheyare，"saidVera；"shejustknowsthattheyaresomethingvaluableandthatshemustkeepquietaboutthem。I
　　foundoutquitebyaccidentwhattheywereandhowtheycametobethere。Yousee，thepeoplewhohadthemwereattheirwits'endtoknowwheretostowthemawayforsafekeeping，andsomeonewhowasmotoringthroughthevillagewasstruckbythesnuglonelinessofthecottageandthoughtitwouldbejustthething。Mrs。LamperarrangedthematterwithBetsyandsmuggledthethingsin。"
　　"Mrs。Lamper？"
　　"Yes；shedoesalotofdistrictvisiting，youknow。"
　　"Iamquiteawarethatshetakessoupandflannelandimprovingliteraturetothepoorercottagers，"saidMrs。BebberlyCumble，"butthatishardlythesamesortofthingasdisposingofstolengoods，andshemusthaveknownsomethingabouttheirhistory；anyonewhoreadsthepapers，evencasually，musthavebeenawareofthetheft，andIshouldthinkthethingswerenothardtorecognise。
　　Mrs。Lamperhasalwayshadthereputationofbeingaveryconscientiouswoman。"
　　"Ofcourseshewasscreeningsomeoneelse，"saidVera。"Aremarkablefeatureoftheaffairistheextraordinarynumberofquiterespectablepeoplewhohaveinvolvedthemselvesinitsmeshesbytryingtoshieldothers。Youwouldbereallyastonishedifyouknewsomeofthenamesoftheindividualsmixedupinit，andI
　　don'tsupposeatitheofthemknowwhotheoriginalculpritswere；andnowI'vegotyouentangledinthemessbylettingyouintothesecretofthecottage。"
　　"Youmostcertainlyhavenotentangledme，"saidMrs。BebberlyCumbleindignantly。"Ihavenointentionofshieldinganybody。Thepolicemustknowaboutitatonce；atheftisatheft，whoeverisinvolved。Ifrespectablepeoplechoosetoturnthemselvesintoreceiversanddisposersofstolengoods，well，they'veceasedtoberespectable，that'sall。Ishalltelephoneimmediately-"
　　"Oh，aunt，"saidVerareproachfully，"itwouldbreakthepoorCanon'sheartifCuthbertweretobeinvolvedinascandalofthissort。Youknowitwould。"
　　"Cuthbertinvolved！Howcanyousaysuchthingswhenyouknowhowmuchweallthinkofhim？"
　　"OfcourseIknowyouthinkalotofhim，andthathe'sengagedtomarryBeatrice，andthatitwillbeafrightfullygoodmatch，andthathe'syouridealofwhatason-in-lawoughttobe。Allthesame，itwasCuthbert'sideatostowthethingsawayinthecottage，anditwashismotorthatbroughtthem。HewasonlydoingittohelphisfriendPegginson，youknow-theQuakerman，whoisalwaysagitatingforasmallerNavy。
　　Iforgethowhegotinvolvedinit。Iwarnedyouthattherewerelotsofquiterespectablepeoplemixedupinit，didn'tI？That'swhatImeantwhenIsaiditwouldbeimpossibleforoldBetsytoleavethecottage；thethingstakeupagoodbitofroom，andshecouldn'tgocarryingthemaboutwithherothergoodsandchattelswithoutattractingnotice。Ofcourseifsheweretofallillanddieitwouldbeequallyunfortunate。Hermotherlivedtobeoverninety，shetellsme，sowithduecareandanabsenceofworrysheoughttolastforanotherdozenyearsatleast。Bythattimeperhapssomeotherarrangementswillhavebeenmadefordisposingofthewretchedthings。"
　　"IshallspeaktoCuthbertaboutit-afterthewedding，"saidMrs。BebberlyCumble。
　　"Theweddingisn'ttillnextyear，"saidVera，inrecountingthestorytoherbestgirlfriend，"andmeanwhileoldBetsyislivingrentfree，withsouptwiceaweekandmyaunt'sdoctortoseeherwhenevershehasafingerache。"
　　"Buthowonearthdidyougettoknowaboutitall？"
　　askedherfriend，inadmiringwonder。
　　"Itwasamystery-"saidVera。
　　"Ofcourseitwasamystery，amysterythatbaffledeverybody。Whatbeatsmeishowyoufoundout-"
　　"Oh，aboutthejewels？Iinventedthatpart，"
　　explainedVera；"ImeanthemysterywaswhereoldBetsy'sarrearsofrentweretocomefrom；andshewouldhavehatedleavingthatjollyquincetree。"
　　THEFORBIDDENBUZZARDS
　　"ISmatchmakingatallinyourline？"
　　HugoPeterbyaskedthequestionwithacertainamountofpersonalinterest。
　　"Idon'tspecialiseinit，"saidClovis；"it'sallrightwhileyou'redoingit，buttheafter-effectsaresometimessodisconcerting-themutereproachfullooksofthepeopleyou'veaidedandabettedinmatrimonialexperiments。It'sasbadassellingamanahorsewithhalfadozenlatentvicesandwatchinghimdiscoverthempiecemealinthecourseofthehuntingseason。Isupposeyou'rethinkingoftheCoulternebgirl。She'scertainlyjolly，andquiteallrightasfaraslooksgo，andI
　　believeacertainamountofmoneyadherestoher。WhatI
　　don'tseeishowyouwillevermanagetoproposetoher。
　　InallthetimeI'veknownherIdon'trememberhertohavestoppedtalkingforthreeconsecutiveminutes。
　　You'llhavetoracehersixtimesroundthegrasspaddockforabet，andthenblurtyourproposaloutbeforeshe'sgotherwindback。Thepaddockislaidupforhay，butifyou'rereallyinlovewithheryouwon'tletaconsiderationofthatsortstopyou，especiallyasit'snotyourhay。"
　　"IthinkIcouldmanagetheproposingpartrightenough，"saidHugo，"ifIcouldcountonbeingleftalonewithherforfourorfivehours。ThetroubleisthatI'mnotlikelytogetanythinglikethatamountofgrace。
　　ThatfellowLannerisshowingsignsofinterestinghimselfinthesamequarter。He'squiteheartbreakinglyrichandisratheraswellinhisway；infact，ourhostessisobviouslyabitflatteredathavinghimhere。
　　Ifshegetswindofthefactthathe'sinclinedtobeattractedbyBettyCoulternebshe'llthinkitasplendidmatchandthrowthemintoeachother'sarmsalldaylong，andthenwherewillmyopportunitiescomein？Myoneanxietyistokeephimoutofthegirl'swayasmuchaspossible，andifyoucouldhelpme-"
　　"IfyouwantmetotrotLannerroundthecountryside，inspectingallegedRomanremainsandstudyinglocalmethodsofbeecultureandcropraising，I'mafraidIcan'tobligeyou，"saidClovis。"Yousee，he'stakensomethinglikeanaversiontomesincetheothernightinthesmoking-room。"
　　"Whathappenedinthesmoking-room？"
　　"Hetrottedoutsomewell-wornchestnutasthelatestthingingoodstories，andIremarked，quiteinnocently，thatInevercouldrememberwhetheritwasGeorgeII。orJamesII。whowassofondofthatparticularstory，andnowheregardsmewithpolitely-
　　drapeddislike。I'lldomybestforyou，iftheopportunityarises，butitwillhavetobeinaroundabout，impersonalmanner。"
　　****
　　"It'ssonicehavingMr。Lannerhere，"confidedMrs。
　　OlstontoClovisthenextafternoon；"he'salwaysbeenengagedwhenI'veaskedhimbefore。Suchaniceman；hereallyoughttobemarriedtosomenicegirl。Betweenyouandme，Ihaveanideathathecamedownhereforacertainreason。"
　　"I'vehadmuchthesameidea，"saidClovis，loweringhisvoice；"infact，I'malmostcertainofit。"
　　"Youmeanhe'sattractedby-"beganMrs。Olstoneagerly。
　　"Imeanhe'shereforwhathecanget，"saidClovis。
　　"ForwhathecanGET？"saidthehostesswithatouchofindignationinhervoice；"whatdoyoumean？He'saveryrichman。Whatshouldhewanttogethere？"
　　"Hehasonerulingpassion，"saidClovis，"andthere'ssomethinghecangetherethatisnottobehadforlovenorformoneyanywhereelseinthecountry，asfarasIknow。"
　　"Butwhat？Whateverdoyoumean？Whatishisrulingpassion？"
　　"Egg-collecting，"saidClovis。"Hehasagentsallovertheworldgettingrareeggsforhim，andhiscollectionisoneofthefinestinEurope；buthisgreatambitionistocollecthistreasurespersonally。Hestopsatnoexpensenortroubletoachievethatend。"
　　"Goodheavens！Thebuzzards，therough-leggedbuzzards！"exclaimedMrs。Olston；"youdon'tthinkhe'sgoingtoraidtheirnest？"
　　"Whatdoyouthinkyourself？"askedClovis；"theonlypairofrough-leggedbuzzardsknowntobreedinthiscountryarenestinginyourwoods。Veryfewpeopleknowaboutthem，butasamemberoftheleagueforprotectingrarebirdsthatinformationwouldbeathisdisposal。I
　　camedowninthetrainwithhim，andInoticedthatabulkyvolumeofDresser's'BirdsofEurope'wasoneoftherequisitesthathehadpackedinhistravelling-kit。
　　Itwasthevolumedealingwithshort-wingedhawksandbuzzards。"
　　Clovisbelievedthatifaliewasworthtellingitwasworthtellingwell。
　　"Thisisappalling，"saidMrs。Olston；"myhusbandwouldneverforgivemeifanythinghappenedtothosebirds。They'vebeenseenaboutthewoodsforthelastyearortwo，butthisisthefirsttimethey'venested。
　　Asyousay，theyarealmosttheonlypairknowntobebreedinginthewholeofGreatBritain；andnowtheirnestisgoingtobeharriedbyagueststayingundermyroof。Imustdosomethingtostopit。DoyouthinkifI
　　appealedtohim-"
　　Clovislaughed。
　　"Thereisastorygoingabout，whichIfancyistrueinmostofitsdetails，ofsomethingthathappenednotlongagosomewhereonthecoastoftheSeaofMarmora，inwhichourfriendhadahand。ASyriannightjar，orsomesuchbird，wasknowntobebreedingintheolivegardensofarichArmenian，whoforsomereasonorotherwouldn'tallowLannertogoinandtaketheeggs，thoughheofferedcashdownforthepermission。TheArmenianwasfoundbeatennearlytodeathadayortwolater，andhisfenceslevelled。ItwasassumedtobeacaseofMussulmanaggression，andnotedassuchinalltheConsularreports，buttheeggsareintheLannercollection。No，Idon'tthinkIshouldappealtohisbetterfeelingsifIwereyou。"
　　"Imustdosomething，"saidMrs。Olstontearfully；
　　"myhusband'spartingwordswhenhewentofftoNorwaywereaninjunctiontoseethatthosebirdswerenotdisturbed，andhe'saskedaboutthemeverytimehe'swritten。Dosuggestsomething。"
　　"Iwasgoingtosuggestpicketing，"saidClovis。
　　"Picketing！Youmeansettingguardsroundthebirds？"
　　"No；roundLanner。Hecan'tfindhiswaythroughthosewoodsbynight，andyoucouldarrangethatyouorEvelynorJackortheGermangovernessshouldbebyhissideinrelaysalldaylong。Afellowguesthecouldgetridof，buthecouldn'tverywellshakeoffmembersofthehousehold，andeventhemostdeterminedcollectorwouldhardlygoclimbingafterforbiddenbuzzards'eggswithaGermangovernesshangingroundhisneck，sotospeak。"
　　Lanner，whohadbeenlazilywatchingforanopportunityforprosecutinghiscourtshipoftheCoulternebgirl，foundpresentlythathischancesofgettinghertohimselffortenminutesevenwerenon-
　　existent。Ifthegirlwaseveraloneheneverwas。Hishostesshadchangedsuddenly，asfarashewasconcerned，fromthedesirabletypethatletsherguestsdonothinginthewaythatbestpleasesthem，tothesortthatdragsthemoverthegroundlikesomanyharrows。Sheshowedhimtheherbgardenandthegreenhouses，thevillagechurch，somewater-coloursketchesthathersisterhaddoneinCorsica，andtheplacewhereitwashopedthatcelerywouldgrowlaterintheyear。
　　HewasshownalltheAylesburyducklingsandtherowofwoodenhiveswheretherewouldhavebeenbeesiftherehadnotbeenbeedisease。HewasalsotakentotheendofalonglaneandshownadistantmoundwhereonlocaltraditionreportedthattheDaneshadoncepitchedacamp。AndwhenhishostesshadtodeserthimtemporarilyforotherdutieshewouldfindEvelynwalkingsolemnlybyhisside。Evelynwasfourteenandtalkedchieflyaboutgoodandevil，andofhowmuchonemightaccomplishinthewayofregeneratingtheworldifonewasthoroughlydeterminedtodoone'sutmost。ItwasgenerallyratherareliefwhenshewasdisplacedbyJack，whowasnineyearsold，andtalkedexclusivelyabouttheBalkanWarwithoutthrowinganyfreshlightonitspoliticalormilitaryhistory。TheGermangovernesstoldLannermoreaboutSchillerthanhehadeverheardinhislifeaboutanyoneperson；itwasperhapshisownfaultforhavingtoldherthathewasnotinterestedinGoethe。Whenthegovernesswentoffpicketdutythehostesswasagainonhandwithanot-to-be-gainsaidinvitationtovisitthecottageofanoldwomanwhorememberedCharlesJamesFox；thewomanhadbeendeadfortwoorthreeyears，butthecottagewasstillthere。Lannerwascalledbacktotownearlierthanhehadoriginallyintended。
　　HugodidnotbringoffhisaffairwithBettyCoulterneb。Whethersherefusedhimorwhether，aswasmoregenerallysupposed，hedidnotgetachanceofsayingthreeconsecutivewords，hasneverbeenexactlyascertained。Anyhow，sheisstillthejollyCoulternebgirl。
　　Thebuzzardssuccessfullyrearedtwoyoungones，whichwereshotbyalocalhairdresser。
　　THESTAKE
　　"RONNIEisagreattrialtome，"saidMrs。Attrayplaintively。"OnlyeighteenyearsoldlastFebruaryandalreadyaconfirmedgambler。IamsureIdon'tknowwhereheinheritsitfrom；hisfathernevertouchedcards，andyouknowhowlittleIplay-agameofbridgeonWednesdayafternoonsinthewinter，forthree-penceahundred，andeventhatIshouldn'tdoifitwasn'tthatEdithalwayswantsafourthandwouldbecertaintoaskthatdetestableJenkinhamwomanifshecouldn'tgetme。
　　Iwouldmuchrathersitandtalkanydaythanplaybridge；cardsaresuchawasteoftime，Ithink。ButastoRonnie，bridgeandbaccaratandpoker-patiencearepositivelyallthathethinksabout。OfcourseI'vedonemybesttostopit；I'veaskedtheNorridrumsnottolethimplaycardswhenhe'soverthere，butyoumightaswellasktheAtlanticOceantokeepquietforacrossingasexpectthemtobotheraboutamother'snaturalanxieties。"
　　"Whydoyoulethimgothere？"askedEleanorSaxelby。
　　"Mydear，"saidMrs。Attray，"Idon'twanttooffendthem。Afterall，theyaremylandlordsandIhavetolooktothemforanythingIwantdoneabouttheplace；theywereveryaccommodatingaboutthenewrooffortheorchidhouse。Andtheylendmeoneoftheircarswhenmineisoutoforder；youknowhowoftenitgetsoutoforder。"
　　"Idon'tknowhowoften，"saidEleanor，"butitmusthappenveryfrequently。WheneverIwantyoutotakemeanywhereinyourcarIamalwaystoldthatthereissomethingwrongwithit，orelsethatthechauffeurhasgotneuralgiaandyoudon'tliketoaskhimtogoout。"
　　"Hesuffersquitealotfromneuralgia，"saidMrs。
　　Attrayhastily。"Anyhow，"shecontinued，"youcanunderstandthatIdon'twanttooffendtheNorridrums。
　　Theirhouseholdisthemostracketyoneinthecounty，andIbelievenooneeverknowstoanhourortwowhenanyparticularmealwillappearonthetableorwhatitwillconsistofwhenitdoesappear。"
　　EleanorSaxelbyshuddered。Shelikedhermealstobeofregularoccurrenceandassuredproportions。
　　"Still，"pursuedMrs。Attray，"whatevertheirownhomelifemaybe，aslandlordsandneighbourstheyareconsiderateandobliging，soIdon'twanttoquarrelwiththem。Besides，ifRonniedidn'tplaycardstherehe'dbeplayingsomewhereelse。"
　　"Notifyouwerefirmwithhim，"saidEleanor"I
　　believeinbeingfirm。"
　　"Firm？Iamfirm，"exclaimedMrs。Attray；"Iammorethanfirm-Iamfarseeing。I'vedoneeverythingI
　　canthinkoftopreventRonniefromplayingformoney。
　　I'vestoppedhisallowancefortherestoftheyear，sohecan'tevengambleoncredit，andI'vesubscribedalumpsumtothechurchoffertoryinhisnameinsteadofgivinghiminstalmentsofsmallsilvertoputinthebagonSundays。Iwouldn'tevenlethimhavethemoneytotipthehuntservantswith，butsentitbypostalorder。
　　Hewasfuriouslysulkyaboutit，butIremindedhimofwhathappenedtothetenshillingsthatIgavehimfortheYoungMen'sEndeavourLeague'Self-DenialWeek。'"
　　"Whatdidhappentoit？"askedEleanor。
　　"Well，Ronniedidsomepreliminaryendeavouringwithit，onhisownaccount，inconnectionwiththeGrandNational。Ifithadcomeoff，asheexpressedit，hewouldhavegiventheLeaguetwenty-fiveshillingsandnettedacomfortablecommissionforhimself；asitwas，thattenshillingswasoneofthethingstheLeaguehadtodenyitself。SincethenI'vebeencarefulnottolethimhaveapennypieceinhishands。"
　　"He'llgetroundthatinsomeway，"saidEleanorwithquietconviction；"he'llsellthings。"
　　"Mydear，he'sdoneallthatistobedoneinthatdirectionalready。He'sgotridofhiswrist-watchandhishuntingflaskandbothhiscigarettecases，andI
　　shouldn'tbesurprisedifhe'swearingimitation-goldsleevelinksinsteadofthosehisAuntRhodagavehimonhisseventeenthbirthday。Hecan'tsellhisclothes，ofcourse，excepthiswinterovercoat，andI'velockedthatupinthecamphorcupboardonthepretextofpreservingitfrommoth。Ireallydon'tseewhatelsehecanraisemoneyon。IconsiderthatI'vebeenbothfirmandfar-
　　seeing。"
　　"HashebeenattheNorridrumslately？"askedEleanor。
　　"Hewasthereyesterdayafternoonandstayedtodinner，"saidMrs。Attray。"Idon'tquiteknowwhenhecamehome，butIfancyitwaslate。"
　　"Thendependonithewasgambling，"saidEleanor，withtheassuredairofonewhohasfewideasandmakesthemostofthem。"Latehoursinthecountryalwaysmeangambling。"
　　"Hecan'tgambleifhehasnomoneyandnochanceofgettingany，"arguedMrs。Attray；"evenifoneplaysforsmallstakesonemusthaveadecentprospectofpayingone'slosses。"
　　"HemayhavesoldsomeoftheAmherstpheasantchicks，"suggestedEleanor；"theywouldfetchabouttenortwelveshillingseach，Idaresay。"
　　"Ronniewouldn'tdosuchathing，"saidMrs。Attray；
　　"andanyhowIwentandcountedthemthismorningandthey'reallthere。No，"shecontinued，withthequietsatisfactionthatcomesfromasenseofpainstakingandmeritedachievement，"IfancythatRonniehadtocontenthimselfwiththeroleofonlookerlastnight，asfarasthecard-tablewasconcerned。"
　　"Isthatclockright？"askedEleanor，whoseeyeshadbeenstrayingrestlesslytowardsthemantel-pieceforsomelittletime；"lunchisusuallysopunctualinyourestablishment。"
　　"Threeminutespastthehalf-hour，"exclaimedMrs。
　　Attray；"cookmustbepreparingsomethingunusuallysumptuousinyourhonour。Iamnotinthesecret；I'vebeenoutallthemorning，youknow。"
　　Eleanorsmiledforgivingly。AspecialeffortbyMrs。Attray'scookwasworthwaitingafewminutesfor。
　　Asamatteroffact，theluncheonfare，whenitmadeitstardyappearance，wasdistinctlyunworthyofthereputationwhichthejustly-treasuredcookhadbuiltupforherself。Thesoupalonewouldhavesufficedtocastagloomoveranymealthatithadinaugurated，anditwasnotredeemedbyanythingthatfollowed。Eleanorsaidlittle，butwhenshespoketherewasahintoftearsinhervoicethatwasfarmoreeloquentthanoutspokendenunciationwouldhavebeen，andeventheinsouciantRonaldshowedtracesofdepressionwhenhetastedtherognonsSaltikoff。
　　"NotquitethebestluncheonI'veenjoyedinyourhouse，"saidEleanoratlast，whenherfinalhopehadflickeredoutwiththesavoury。
　　"Mydear，it'stheworstmealI'vesatdowntoforyears，"saidherhostess；"thatlastdishtastedprincipallyofredpepperandwettoast。I'mawfullysorry。Isanythingthematterinthekitchen，Pellin？"
　　sheaskedoftheattendantmaid。
　　"Well，ma'am，thenewcookhadn'thardlytimetoseetothingsproperly，cominginsosudden-"commencedPellinbywayofexplanation。
　　"Thenewcook！"screamedMrs。Attray。
　　"ColonelNorridrum'scook，ma'am，"saidPellin。
　　"Whatonearthdoyoumean？WhatisColonelNorridrum'scookdoinginmykitchen-andwhereismycook？"
　　"PerhapsIcanexplainbetterthanPellincan，"saidRonaldhurriedly；"thefactis，IwasdiningattheNorridrums'yesterday，andtheywerewishingtheyhadaswellcooklikeyours，justforto-dayandto-morrow，whilethey'vegotsomegourmetstayingwiththem：theirowncookisnoearthlygood-well，you'veseenwhatsheturnsoutwhenshe'satallflurried。SoIthoughtitwouldberathersportingtoplaythematbaccaratfortheloanofourcookagainstamoneystake，andIlost，that'sall。Ihavehadrottenluckatbaccaratallthisyear。"
　　Theremainderofhisexplanation，ofhowhehadassuredthecooksthatthetemporarytransferhadhismother'ssanction，andhadsmuggledtheoneoutandtheotherinduringthematernalabsence，wasdrownedintheoutcryofscandalisedupbraiding。
　　"IfIhadsoldthewomanintoslaverytherecouldn'thavebeenabiggerfussaboutit，"heconfidedafterwardstoBertieNorridrum，"andEleanorSaxelbyragedandrampedthelouderofthetwo。Itellyouwhat，I'llbetyoutwooftheAmherstpheasantstofiveshillingsthatsherefusestohavemeasapartneratthecroquettournament。We'redrawntogether，youknow。"
　　Thistimehewonhisbet。
　　CLOVISONPARENTALRESPONSIBILITIES
　　MARIONEGGELBYsattalkingtoClovisontheonlysubjectthatsheeverwillinglytalkedabout-heroffspringandtheirvariedperfectionsandaccomplishments。Cloviswasnotinwhatcouldbecalledareceptivemood；theyoungergenerationofEggelby，depictedintheglowingimprobablecoloursofparentimpressionism，arousedinhimnoenthusiasm。Mrs。
　　Eggelby，ontheotherhand，wasfurnishedwithenthusiasmenoughfortwo。
　　"YouwouldlikeEric，"shesaid，argumentativelyratherthanhopefully。ClovishadintimatedveryunmistakablythathewasunlikelytocareextravagantlyforeitherAmyorWillie。"Yes，IfeelsureyouwouldlikeEric。Everyonetakestohimatonce。Youknow，healwaysremindsmeofthatfamouspictureoftheyouthfulDavid-Iforgetwhoit'sby，butit'sverywellknown。"
　　"Thatwouldbesufficienttosetmeagainsthim，ifIsawmuchofhim，"saidClovis。"Justimagineatauctionbridge，forinstance，whenonewastryingtoconcentrateone'smindonwhatone'spartner'soriginaldeclarationhadbeen，andtorememberwhatsuitsone'sopponentshadoriginallydiscarded，whatitwouldbeliketohavesomeonepersistentlyremindingoneofapictureoftheyouthfulDavid。Itwouldbesimplymaddening。IfEricdidthatIshoulddetesthim。"
　　"Ericdoesn'tplaybridge，"saidMrs。Eggelbywithdignity。
　　"Doesn'the？"askedClovis；"whynot？"
　　"Noneofmychildrenhavebeenbroughtuptoplaycardgames，"saidMrs。Eggelby；"draughtsandhalmaandthosesortsofgamesIencourage。Ericisconsideredquiteawonderfuldraughts-player。"
　　"Youarestrewingdreadfulrisksinthepathofyourfamily，"saidClovis；"afriendofminewhoisaprisonchaplaintoldmethatamongtheworstcriminalcasesthathavecomeunderhisnotice，mencondemnedtodeathortolongperiodsofpenalservitude，therewasnotasinglebridge-player。Ontheotherhand，heknewatleasttwoexpertdraughts-playersamongthem。"
　　"Ireallydon'tseewhatmyboyshavegottodowiththecriminalclasses，"saidMrs。Eggelbyresentfully。
　　"Theyhavebeenmostcarefullybroughtup，Icanassureyouthat。"
　　"Thatshowsthatyouwerenervousastohowtheywouldturnout，"saidClovis。"Now，mymotherneverbotheredaboutbringingmeup。ShejustsawtoitthatI
　　gotwhackedatdecentintervalsandwastaughtthedifferencebetweenrightandwrong；thereissomedifference，youknow，butI'veforgottenwhatitis。"
　　"Forgottenthedifferencebetweenrightandwrong！"
　　exclaimedMrs。Eggelby。
　　"Well，yousee，Itookupnaturalhistoryandawholelotofothersubjectsatthesametime，andonecan'tremembereverything，canone？IusedtoknowthedifferencebetweentheSardiniandormouseandtheordinarykind，andwhetherthewry-neckarrivesatourshoresearlierthanthecuckoo，ortheotherwayround，andhowlongthewalrustakesingrowingtomaturity；I
　　daresayyouknewallthosesortsofthingsonce，butI
　　betyou'veforgottenthem。"
　　"Thosethingsarenotimportant，"saidMrs。Eggelby，"but-"
　　"Thefactthatwe'vebothforgottenthemprovesthattheyareimportant，"saidClovis；"youmusthavenoticedthatit'salwaystheimportantthingsthatoneforgets，whilethetrivial，unnecessaryfactsoflifestickinone'smemory。There'smycousin，EdithaClubberley，forinstance；Icanneverforgetthatherbirthdayisonthe12thofOctober。It'samatterofutterindifferencetomeonwhatdateherbirthdayfalls，orwhethershewasbornatall；eitherfactseemstomeabsolutelytrivial，orunnecessary-I'veheapsofothercousinstogoonwith。Ontheotherhand，whenI'mstayingwithHildegardeShrubleyIcanneverremembertheimportantcircumstancewhetherherfirsthusbandgothisunenviablereputationontheTurfortheStockExchange，andthatuncertaintyrulesSportandFinanceoutoftheconversationatonce。Onecannevermentiontravel，either，becausehersecondhusbandhadtolivepermanentlyabroad。"
　　"Mrs。ShrubleyandImoveinverydifferentcircles，"saidMrs。Eggelbystiffly。
　　"NoonewhoknowsHildegardecouldpossiblyaccuseherofmovinginacircle，"saidClovis；"herviewoflifeseemstobeanon-stoprunwithaninexhaustiblesupplyofpetrol。Ifshecangetsomeoneelsetopayforthepetrolsomuchthebetter。Idon'tmindconfessingtoyouthatshehastaughtmemorethananyotherwomanIcanthinkof。"
　　"Whatkindofknowledge？"demandedMrs。Eggelby，withtheairajurymightcollectivelywearwhenfindingaverdictwithoutleavingthebox。
　　"Well，amongotherthings，she'sintroducedmetoatleastfourdifferentwaysofcookinglobster，"saidClovisgratefully。"That，ofcourse，wouldn'tappealtoyou；peoplewhoabstainfromthepleasuresofthecard-
　　tableneverreallyappreciatethefinerpossibilitiesofthedining-table。Isupposetheirpowersofenlightenedenjoymentgetatrophiedfromdisuse。"
　　"Anauntofminewasveryillaftereatingalobster，"saidMrs。Eggelby。
　　"Idaresay，ifweknewmoreofherhistory，weshouldfindoutthatshe'doftenbeenillbeforeeatingthelobster。Aren'tyouconcealingthefactthatshe'dhadmeaslesandinfluenzaandnervousheadacheandhysteria，andotherthingsthatauntsdohave，longbeforesheatethelobster？Auntsthathaveneverknownaday'sillnessareveryrare；infact，Idon'tpersonallyknowofany。Ofcourseifsheateitasachildoftwoweeksolditmighthavebeenherfirstillness-andherlast。ButifthatwasthecaseIthinkyoushouldhavesaidso。"
　　"Imustbegoing，"saidMrs。Eggelby，inatonewhichhadbeenthoroughlysterilisedofevenperfunctoryregret。
　　Clovisrosewithanairofgracefulreluctance。
　　"IhavesoenjoyedourlittletalkaboutEric，"hesaid；"Iquitelookforwardtomeetinghimsomeday。"
　　"Good-bye，"saidMrs。Eggelbyfrostily；thesupplementaryremarkwhichshemadeatthebackofherthroatwas-
　　"I'lltakecarethatyounevershall！"
　　AHOLIDAYTASK
　　KENELMJERTONenteredthedining-halloftheGoldenGalleonHotelinthefullcrushoftheluncheonhour。
　　Nearlyeveryseatwasoccupied，andsmalladditionaltableshadbeenbroughtin，wherefloorspacepermitted，toaccommodatelatecomers，withtheresultthatmanyofthetableswerealmosttouchingeachother。Jertonwasbeckonedbyawaitertotheonlyvacanttablethatwasdiscernible，andtookhisseatwiththeuncomfortableandwhollygroundlessideathatnearlyeveryoneintheroomwasstaringathim。Hewasayoungishmanofordinaryappearance，quietofdressandunobtrusiveofmanner，andhecouldneverwhollyridhimselfoftheideathatafiercelightofpublicscrutinybeatonhimasthoughhehadbeenanotabilityorasuper-nut。Afterhehadorderedhislunchtherecametheunavoidableintervalofwaiting，withnothingtodobuttostareattheflower-
　　vaseonhistableandtobestaredat（inimagination）byseveralflappers，somematurerbeingsofthesamesex，andasatirical-lookingJew。Inordertocarryoffthesituationwithsomeappearanceofunconcernhebecamespuriouslyinterestedinthecontentsoftheflower-vase。
　　"Whatisthenameoftheseroses，d'youknow？"heaskedthewaiter。Thewaiterwasreadyatalltimestoconcealhisignoranceconcerningitemsofthewine-listormenu；hewasfranklyignorantastothespecificnameoftheroses。
　　"AMYSYLVESTERPARTINGLON，"saidavoiceatJerton'selbow。
　　Thevoicecamefromapleasant-faced，well-dressedyoungwomanwhowassittingatatablethatalmosttouchedJerton's。Hethankedherhurriedlyandnervouslyfortheinformation，andmadesomeinconsequentremarkabouttheflowers。
　　"Itisacuriousthing，"saidtheyoungwoman，that，"Ishouldbeabletotellyouthenameofthoseroseswithoutaneffortofmemory，becauseifyouweretoaskmemynameIshouldbeutterlyunabletogiveittoyou。"
　　Jertonhadnotharbouredtheleastintentionofextendinghisthirstforname-labelstohisneighbour。
　　Afterherratherremarkableannouncement，however，hewasobligedtosaysomethinginthewayofpoliteinquiry。
　　"Yes，"answeredthelady，"Isupposeitisacaseofpartiallossofmemory。Iwasinthetraincomingdownhere；mytickettoldmethatIhadcomefromVictoriaandwasboundforthisplace。Ihadacoupleoffive-poundnotesandasovereignonme，novisitingcardsoranyothermeansofidentification，andnoideaastowhoI
　　am。IcanonlyhazilyrecollectthatIhaveatitle；I
　　amLadySomebody-beyondthatmymindisablank。"
　　"Hadn'tyouanyluggagewithyou？"askedJerton。
　　"ThatiswhatIdidn'tknow。Iknewthenameofthishotelandmadeupmymindtocomehere，andwhenthehotelporterwhomeetsthetrainsaskedifIhadanyluggageIhadtoinventadressing-baganddress-basket；
　　Icouldalwayspretendthattheyhadgoneastray。IgavehimthenameofSmith，andpresentlyheemergedfromaconfusedpileofluggageandpassengerswithadressing-
　　baganddress-basketlabelledKestrel-Smith。Ihadtotakethem；Idon'tseewhatelseIcouldhavedone。"
　　Jertonsaidnothing，butheratherwonderedwhatthelawfulownerofthebaggagewoulddo。
　　"OfcourseitwasdreadfularrivingatastrangehotelwiththenameofKestrel-Smith，butitwouldhavebeenworsetohavearrivedwithoutluggage。Anyhow，I
　　hatecausingtrouble。"
　　JertonhadvisionsofharassedrailwayofficialsanddistraughtKestrel-Smiths，buthemadenoattempttoclothehismentalpictureinwords。Theladycontinuedherstory。
　　"Naturally，noneofmykeyswouldfitthethings，butItoldanintelligentpageboythatIhadlostmykey-ring，andhehadthelocksforcedinatwinkling。
　　Rathertoointelligent，thatboy；hewillprobablyendinDartmoor。TheKestrel-Smithtoilettoolsaren'tuptomuch，buttheyarebetterthannothing。"
　　"Ifyoufeelsurethatyouhaveatitle，"saidJerton，"whynotgetholdofapeerageandgorightthroughit？"
　　"Itriedthat。IskimmedthroughthelistoftheHouseofLordsin'Whitaker，'butamereprintedstringofnamesconveysawfullylittletoone，youknow。IfyouwereanarmyofficerandhadlostyouridentityyoumightporeovertheArmyListformonthswithoutfindingoutwhoyourwere。I'mgoingonanothertack；I'mtryingtofindoutbyvariouslittletestswhoIamNOT-thatwillnarrowtherangeofuncertaintydownabit。Youmayhavenoticed，forinstance，thatI'mlunchingprincipallyofflobsterNewburg。"
　　Jertonhadnotventuredtonoticeanythingofthesort。
　　"It'sanextravagance，becauseit'soneofthemostexpensivedishesonthemenu，butatanyrateitprovesthatI'mnotLadyStarping；shenevertouchesshell-fish，andpoorLadyBraddleshrubhasnodigestionatall；ifI
　　amHERIshallcertainlydieinagonyinthecourseoftheafternoon，andthedutyoffindingoutwhoIamwilldevolveonthepressandthepoliceandthosesortofpeople；Ishallbepastcaring。LadyKnewforddoesn'tknowonerosefromanotherandshehatesmen，soshewouldn'thavespokentoyouinanycase；andLadyMousehiltonflirtswitheverymanshemeets-Ihaven'tflirtedwithyou，haveI？"
　　Jertonhastilygavetherequiredassurance。
　　"Well，yousee，"continuedthelady，"thatknocksfouroffthelistatonce。"
　　"It'llberatheralengthyprocessbringingthelistdowntoone，"saidJerton。
　　"Oh，but，ofcourse，thereareheapsofthemthatI
　　couldn'tpossiblybe-womenwho'vegotgrandchildrenorsonsoldenoughtohavecelebratedtheircomingofage。
　　I'veonlygottoconsidertheonesaboutmyownage。I
　　tellyouhowyoumighthelpmethisafternoon，ifyoudon'tmind；gothroughanyofthebacknumbersofCOUNTRY
　　LIFEandthosesortofpapersthatyoucanfindinthesmoking-room，andseeifyoucomeacrossmyportraitwithinfantsonoranythingofthatsort。Itwon'ttakeyoutenminutes。I'llmeetyouintheloungeabouttea-time。
　　Thanksawfully。"
　　AndtheFairUnknown，havinggraciouslypressedJertonintothesearchforherlostidentity，roseandlefttheroom。Asshepassedtheyoungman'stableshehaltedforamomentandwhispered：
　　"DidyounoticethatItippedthewaiterashilling？
　　WecancrossLadyUlwightoffthelist；shewouldhavediedratherthandothat。"
　　Atfiveo'clockJertonmadehiswaytothehotellounge；hehadspentadiligentbutfruitlessquarterofanhouramongtheillustratedweekliesinthesmoking-
　　room。Hisnewacquaintancewasseatedatasmalltea-
　　table，withawaiterhoveringinattendance。
　　"ChinateaorIndian？"sheaskedasJertoncameup。
　　"China，please，andnothingtoeat。Haveyoudiscoveredanything？"
　　"Onlynegativeinformation。I'mnotLadyBefnal。
　　Shedisapprovesdreadfullyofanyformofgambling，sowhenIrecognisedawell-knownbookmakerinthehotellobbyIwentandputatenneronanunnamedfillybyWilliamtheThirdoutofMitrovitzaforthethree-fifteenrace。Isupposethefactoftheanimalbeingnamelesswaswhatattractedme。"
　　Diditwin？"askedJerton。
　　"No，cameinfourth，themostirritatingthingahorsecandowhenyou'vebackeditwinorplace。Anyhow，IknownowthatI'mnotLadyBefnal。"
　　"Itseemstomethattheknowledgewasratherdearlybought，"commentedJerton。
　　"Well，yes，ithasratherclearedmeout，"admittedtheidentity-seeker；"aflorinisaboutallI'vegotleftonme。ThelobsterNewburgmademylunchratheranexpensiveone，and，ofcourse，IhadtotipthatboyforwhathedidtotheKestrel-Smithlocks。I'vegotratherausefulidea，though。IfeelcertainthatIbelongtothePivotClub；I'llgobacktotownandaskthehallporterthereifthereareanylettersforme。Heknowsallthemembersbysight，andifthereareanylettersortelephonemessageswaitingformeofcoursethatwillsolvetheproblem。Ifhesaystherearen'tanyIshallsay：'YouknowwhoIam，don'tyou？'soI'llfindoutanyway。"
　　Theplanseemedasoundone；adifficultyinitsexecutionsuggesteditselftoJerton。
　　"Ofcourse，"saidthelady，whenhehintedattheobstacle，"there'smyfarebacktotown，andmybillhereandcabsandthings。Ifyou'lllendmethreepoundsthatoughttoseemethroughcomfortably。Thankseverso。
　　Thenthereisthequestionofthatluggage：Idon'twanttobesaddledwiththatfortherestofmylife。I'llhaveitbroughtdowntothehallandyoucanpretendtomountguardoveritwhileI'mwritingaletter。ThenI
　　shalljustslipawaytothestation，andyoucanwanderofftothesmoking-room，andtheycandowhattheylikewiththethings。They'lladvertisethemafterabitandtheownercanclaimthem。"
　　Jertonacquiescedinthemanoeuvre，anddulymountedguardovertheluggagewhileitstemporaryownerslippedunobtrusivelyoutofthehotel。Herdeparturewasnot，however，altogetherunnoticed。TwogentlemenwerestrollingpastJerton，andoneofthemremarkedtotheother：
　　"Didyouseethattallyoungwomaningreywhowentoutjustnow？SheistheLady-"
　　Hispromenadecarriedhimoutofearshotatthecriticalmomentwhenhewasabouttodisclosetheelusiveidentity。TheLadyWho？Jertoncouldscarcelyrunafteratotalstranger，breakintohisconversation，andaskhimforinformationconcerningachancepasser-by。
　　Besides，itwasdesirablethatheshouldkeepuptheappearanceoflookingaftertheluggage。Inaminuteortwo，however，theimportantpersonage，themanwhoknew，camestrollingbackalone。Jertonsummonedupallhiscourageandwaylaidhim。
　　"IthinkIheardyousayyouknewtheladywhowentoutofthehotelafewminutesago，atalllady，dressedingrey。Excusemeforaskingifyoucouldtellmehername；I'vebeentalkingtoherforhalfanhour；she-er-sheknowsallmypeopleandseemstoknowme，soI
　　supposeI'vemethersomewherebefore，butI'mblestifI
　　canputanametoher。Couldyou-？"
　　"Certainly。She'saMrs。Stroope。"
　　"MRS。？"queriedJerton。
　　"Yes，she'stheLadyChampionatgolfinmypartoftheworld。Anawfulgoodsort，andgoesaboutagooddealinSociety，butshehasanawkwardhabitoflosinghermemoryeverynowandthen，andgetsintoallsortsoffixes。She'sfurious，too，ifyoumakeanyallusiontoitafterwards。Goodday，sir。"
　　Thestrangerpassedonhisway，andbeforeJertonhadhadtimetoassimilatehisinformationhefoundhiswholeattentioncentredonanangry-lookingladywhowasmakingloudandfretful-seeminginquiriesofthehotelclerks。
　　"Hasanyluggagebeenbroughtherefromthestationbymistake，adress-basketanddressing-case，withthenameKestrel-Smith？Itcan'tbetracedanywhere。IsawitputinatVictoria，thatI'llswear。Why-thereismyluggage！andthelockshavebeentamperedwith！"
　　Jertonheardnomore。HefleddowntotheTurkishbath，andstayedthereforhours。
　　THESTALLEDOX
　　THEOPHILESHLEYwasanartistbyprofession，acattlepainterbyforceofenvironment。Itisnottobesupposedthathelivedonarancheoradairyfarm，inanatmospherepervadedwithhornandhoof，milking-stool，andbranding-iron。Hishomewasinapark-like，villa-
　　dotteddistrictthatonlyjustescapedthereproachofbeingsuburban。Ononesideofhisgardenthereabuttedasmall，picturesquemeadow，inwhichanenterprisingneighbourpasturedsomesmallpicturesquecowsoftheChannelIslandpersuasion。Atnoondayinsummertimethecowsstoodknee-deepintallmeadow-grassundertheshadeofagroupofwalnuttrees，withthesunlightfallingindappledpatchesontheirmouse-sleekcoats。Eshleyhadconceivedandexecutedadaintypictureoftworeposefulmilch-cowsinasettingofwalnuttreeandmeadow-grassandfilteredsunbeam，andtheRoyalAcademyhaddulyexposedthesameonthewallsofitsSummerExhibition。
　　TheRoyalAcademyencouragesorderly，methodicalhabitsinitschildren。Eshleyhadpaintedasuccessfulandacceptablepictureofcattledrowsingpicturesquelyunderwalnuttrees，andashehadbegun，so，ofnecessity，hewenton。His"NoontidePeace，"astudyoftwoduncowsunderawalnuttree，wasfollowedby"AMid-daySanctuary，"astudyofawalnuttree，withtwoduncowsunderit。Induesuccessiontherecame"WheretheGad-
　　FliesCeasefromTroubling，""TheHavenoftheHerd，"and"A-dreaminDairyland，"studiesofwalnuttreesandduncows。Histwoattemptstobreakawayfromhisowntraditionweresignalfailures："TurtleDovesalarmedbySparrow-hawk"and"WolvesontheRomanCampagna"camebacktohisstudiointheguiseofabominableheresies，andEshleyclimbedbackintograceandthepublicgazewith"AShadedNookwhereDrowsyMilkersDream。"