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 to sit up for it and make a scene. They're all going to turn in after supper, with the exception of a very few of us, who will keep watch and watch about."

"By order of the new owner again?" asked Irralie, with the least possible sneer.

"Well, at his suggestion."

"He seems to have taken command of the place!"

"In a way he has; but it's a way I don't object to myself. You want a strong man to say what should and should not be done in a case like this. There would certainly have been a panic and a general clearance if it hadn't been for Mr. Fullarton. You should have heard Mrs. Browne going on about her diamonds! So all the ladies are going to hand over their valuables to be put in the safe, and one of us will keep the key. And you mustn't think ill of Fullarton, Irralie. I own he's a cool hand, and bosses us all about perhaps a bit too much; but your father himself said he was thankful he had turned up in time to relieve him of the