come in quite unbeknown.'

'Well, really,' said Sheila, 'it seems very difficult to get at
the truth sometimes. And when illness is in the house I cannot
understand why there should be no one available to answer the
door. You must have left it ajar, unsecured, when you went out.
And pray, what if Dr Ferguson had been some common tramp? That
would have been a nice thing.'

'I am quite certain,' said Ada a little flatly, 'that I did shut
the door. And cook says she never so much as stirred from the
kitchen till I came down the area steps with the packet. And
that's all I know about it, ma'am; except that he was here when I
came back. I did not know even there was a Dr Ferguson; and my
mother has lived here nineteen years.'

'We must be thankful your mother enjoys such good health,'
replied Mrs Lawford suavely. 'Please tell cook to be very careful
with the cornflour--to be sure it's well mixed and thoroughly
done.'

Mrs Lawford's eyes followed with a certain discomfort those
narrow print shoulders descending the stairs. And this abominable
ruse was--Arthur's! She ran up lightly and listened with her ear
to the panel of his door. And just as she was about to turn away
again, there came a little light knock at the front door.

Mrs Lawford paused at the loop of the staircase; and not
altogether with gratitude or relief she heard the voice of Mr
Bethany, inquiring in cautious but quite audible tones after her