What did she do on re-entering her father's house ?" "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "And who is her maid ?" "Alice is her name.

She is an American and came from California with her." "A confidential servant ?" "A little too much so.

It seemed to me that her mistress allowed her to take great liberties.

Still, of course, in America they look upon these things in a different way." "How long did she speak to this Alice ?" "Oh, a few minutes.

I had something else to think of." "You did not overhear what they said ?" "Lady St.Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was accustomed to use slang of the kind.