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T was nearly five o'clock before they reached the Temple; and the Honorable John Ruffin bade Pollyooly give the Lump his tea in the sitting-room that he himself might forthwith hear the story of her stay at Ricksborough Court. She was not long getting the tea and beginning her narrative.

The Honorable John Ruffin listened to her with a pleased smile till she came to Ronald's discovery of her secret; then he frowned and said, "That's awkward. It means that sooner or later they'll find out the trick we played on them; and then there'll be fine alarms and excursions."

"Oh, no, sir. They'll never find out. Ronald will never tell," said Pollyooly confidently.

"He won't mean to. But he's young," said the Honorable John Ruffin.

Pollyooly went on with her story; and when she came to the end of it, he congratulated her on the