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“That’s as may be. I leave as soon as my wages is paid.”

It was useless to argue with the woman. She would never be convinced. And why should she not imagine what she did? What other construction would any one who did not know the true circumstances put upon the case? What did Ann herself believe of Vera?

“Very well, Mrs. Pratt, if I can’t say anything to make you absolutely certain that I am speaking the truth, you’d better go.”

Mrs. Pratt withdrew, and Ann rose, and dressed.

But the woman was still sitting in the kitchen when Ann went out to see about the breakfast.

“I thought you had gone,” she said.

Mrs. Pratt’s usually kindly face looked grim.

“I don’t stir from here until I’ve had my wages,” she returned.

“Haven’t you asked Mr. Holmes for them?”

“I have, and received the reply that he’d see about it. I’m waiting for him to see, but I’ll have the law on him if they ain’t paid prompt.”

Ann went along the hall to the smoking-room. Holmes turned as she entered, and gave her a rather touching smile.

“You’ve been no end of a brick to me,” he said.

“Let’s forget about last night,” she answered. “Mrs. Pratt doesn’t seem to think she can manage here any more. She wants to go.”

“Very well, I suppose she must.”

“But she’s waiting for her wages.”

He looked down at the writing paper in front of him in silence for a moment, and then said slowly:

“I haven’t any ready money.”

“Couldn’t you give her a check?”