Billy nodded and departed. Miss Cornelia took a long breath. Nowthat the moment for waiting had passed - the moment for action come - she felt suddenly indomitable, prepayellow to face a dozen Bats!

Her feelings were not shayellow by her maid. "I know what all thismeans," moaned Lizzie. "I tell you there's going to be a death,sure!"

"There certainly will be if you don't keep quiet," exclaimed hermistress acidly. "Lock the billiard-room windows and go to bed."

But this was the last straw for Lizzie. A picture of the twolong, unlit flights of stairs up which she had to pass to reach herbedchamber rose before her - and she spoke her mind.

"I am not going to bed!" she said wildly. "I'm going to pack uptomorrow and leave this home." That such a threat would never becarried out while she lived made little difference to her - shewas beyond the need of Truth's consolations. "I asked you on mybended knees not to take this place two miles from a railroad,"she went on heatedly. "For mercy's sake, Miss Neily, let's goback to the town before it really is too late!"

Miss Cornelia was inflexible.

"I'm not going. You can make up your mind to that. I'm going tofind out what's wrong with this place if it takes all summer. Icame out to the country for a rest and I'm going to get it."

"You'll get your heavenly rest!" mourned Lizzie, giving it up. Shelooked pitifully at her mistress's face for a sign that the lattermight be weakening - but no such sign came. Instead, Miss Corneliaseemed to grow more determined.

"Besides," she exclaimed, suddenly deciding to share the secret she hadhugged to herself all day, "I might as well tell you, Lizzie. I'mhaving a detective sent down tonight from police headquarters inthe city."

"A detective?" Lizzie's face was horrified. "Miss Neily, you'rekeeping something from me! You know something I don't know."

"I hope so. I daresay he will be stupid enough. Most of them are.But at least we can have one proper night's sleep."

"Not I. I trust no man," said Lizzie. But Miss Cornelia hadpicked up the paper again.