meals will be served by the caterer from the restaurant down-stairs. There is no kitchen, as Mr. Townsend always preferred French cooking. I shall buy a little alcohol teakettle for you, though, so if you want a cup of tea between meals, you can always have it."
"Thank you, Mrs. Townsend, but I already have one, which I can bring along."
"You will take the position, then?" the other asked joyfully.
"Yes."
"Well, I am sure. Miss Kamp, you will find everything very comfortable and in perfect order, except the shower-bath," she said, pouring out a glass of wine, "but shower-baths, as possibly you already know, will get out of order even in the best regulated houses. And I wish to repeat my stipulations. I only ask you to be absolutely dumb in regard to all I have told you and to receive no visitors whatever without first consulting me. I have made all arrangements with the waiter who will serve your meals, with the charwoman, and the electrician. Only those three persons are allowed to cross the threshold. While I do not wish to restrict your liberties, I must ask, however, that you will not stay out long at a time, and that you will always be home to meals. Mr. Townsend always did have a horror of eating alone."
"Yes, I understand," said Kate.
"I'm so glad you do, Miss Kamp. Some women are so stupid. Mr. Townsend is this kind of a man: He may not be home to dinner once in two weeks, but he wants dinner prepared for him just the same, so if he does happen home there is no hitch. It's unreasonable, of course, but it's a man's way. For exercise you can walk in the Park every day. And when you are home you can do as you please in the library or amuse yourself at the piano. Mr. Townsend is very fond of music, so I wish you would entertain him in the evenings. The piano needs tuning, he says, so don't let me forget to have it done immediately."
In conclusion, and in consideration of two hundred dollars per month salary, Kate Kamp accepted the unique position of housekeeper to the spirit of the late Mr. Stephen Townsend, and that very night found her and Keno—she insisted upon Keno's being included in the bargain, much to the Widow's misgivings—comfortably installed among the Lares and Penates of that gentleman.
III.
"What a day of adventure, and still the mystery deepens," gasped Kate, sinking into the depth of the big, leather-covered chair, and addressing Keno, who was perched on a branch of the magnificent antlers that adorned the wall above her head.
It was the evening of the second day of their proprietorship. Dinner was momentarily expected. Mrs. Townsend had just departed,
