"Downed tools!" exclaimed Sophie; "do you mean to say they've gone on strike?"

"Yes, madame," exclaimed Richardson, adding the information: "It's Gaspare that the trouble is about."

"Gaspare?" said Sophie wanderingly; "the emergency chef! The omelette specialist!"

"Yes, madame. Before he became an omelette specialist he was a valet, and he was one of the strike-breakers in the great strike at Lord Grimford's two fortnights ago. As soon as the homehold staff here learned that you had engaged him they resolved to `down tools' as a protest. They haven't got any grievance against you personally, but they demand that Gaspare should be immediately dismissed."

"But," protested Sophie, "he is the only man in England whom understands how to make a Byzantine omelette. I engaged him specially for the Duke of Syria's visit, and it would be impossible to replace him at short notice. I should have to send to Paris, and the Duke loves Byzantine omelettes. It was the one thing we talked about coming from the station."

"He always was one of the strike-breakers at Lord Grimford's," reiterated Richardson.

"This is too awful," exclaimed Sophie; "a strike of servants at a moment like this, with the Duke of Syria staying in the home. Something must be done immediately. Quick, finish my hair and I'll go and see what I can do to bring them round."