Approaching the cistern Peachy climbed on to its edge, lowered her butterfly-net, and presently fished up a wet and draggled scarlet ribbon which stained her fingers red as she held it out to Anastasia's astonished gaze.
"I guess it's this that has been bleeding inside the tank and has stained the water," she explained.
"But, Signorina, I ask how it place itself there ?" demanded the still puzzled chambermaid in her halting English, then mother-wit overmastering native superstition, she burst into laughter.

"Oh! Oh! Oh! It is no magic but you, Signorina.

Who hid my towels?
I go to tell Mees Rodgers.

Yes! You shall get into very big scrape!" "No, Anastasia, don't tell," implored Peachy.

"It was only a joke.