look the place over thoroughly before they arrive. I suppose, however,
that the rooms we have taken _are_ the best?"

"The choicest, my lady," said Bowles, bowing.

"See here, Mr.--er--old chap, don't you think you can induce the
servants to come back to us? By Jove, I'll make it worth your while. The
place surely must need cleaning up a bit. It's some months since the
old--since Mr. Skaggs died." He always said "Skaggs" after a scornful
pause and in a tone as disdainfully nasal as it was possible for him to
produce.

"Not at all, my lord. The servants did not leave the place until your
steamer was sighted this morning. It's as clean as a pin."

"This morning?"

"Yes, my lord. They would not desert the château until they were sure
you were on board. They were extraordinarily faithful."

"I don't see it that way, leaving us like this. What's to become of the
place? Can't I get an injunction, or whatever you call it?"

"What _are_ we to do?" wailed Lady Agnes, sitting down suddenly upon the
edge of a fountain.

"You see, my lady, they take the position that you have no right here,"
volunteered Bowles.

"How absurd! I am heir to every foot of this island--"