CHAPTER V.
James had barely disposed of his master and Mr.Leyton, and left them to the ministrations of two of his underlings, before he was confronted with one of those difficult problems that it was part of his functions to solve.

The porter informed him that a young lady had just driven up in a carriage ostensibly to see Mr.Rushbrook, and James, descending to the outer vestibule, found himself face to face with Miss Grace Nevil.

Happily, that young lady, with her usual tact, spared him some embarrassment.
"Oh! James," she said sweetly, "do you think that I could see Mr.
Rushbrook for a few moments IF I WAITED FOR THE OPPORTUNITY?
You understand, I don't wish to disturb him or his company by being regularly announced." The young girl's practical intelligence appeared to increase the usual respect which James had always shown her.

"I understand, miss." He thought for a moment, and said: "Would you mind, then, following me where you could wait quietly and alone ?" As she quickly assented, he preceded her up the staircase, past the study and drawing-room, which he did not enter, and stopped before a small door at the end of the passage.

Then, handing her a key which he took from his pocket, he said: "This is the only room in the house that is strictly reserved for Mr.
Rushbrook, and even he rarely uses it.