“We’ll have to make the best of it,” sighed Deppingham in response to his wife’s lamentations.  “I daresay, Antoine and the maids can get our things into some sort of shape, my dear.  What say to a little stroll about the grounds while they are doing it?  By Jove, it would be exciting if we were to find a ruby or two.  Saunders says they are as common as strawberries in July.”

Mr. Bowles, who had resumed his coat of red, joined them in the stroll about the gardens, pointing out objects of certain interest and telling the cost of each to the penny.

“I can’t conduct you through the chateau,” he apologised as they were returning after the short tour.  “They can’t close the bank until I set the balance sheet, sir, and it’s now two hours past closing time.  It doesn’t matter, however, my lord,” he added hastily, “we enjoy anything in the shape of a diversion.”

“See here, Mr.—­er—­old chap, what are we to do about servants?  We can’t get on without them, you know.”

“Oh, the horses are being well cared for in the valley, sir.  You needn’t worry a bit—­”

“Horses!  What we want, is to be cared for ourselves.  Damn the horses,” roared his lordship.

“They say these Americans are a wonderful people, my lord,” ventured Mr. Bowles.  “I daresay when Mr. and Mrs. Browne arrive, they’ll have some way of—­”

“Browne!” cried her ladyship.  “This very evening I shall give orders concerning the rooms they are to occupy.  And that reminds me:  I must look the place over thoroughly before they arrive.  I suppose, however, that the rooms we have taken are the best?”

“The choicest, my lady,” said Bowles, bowing.

“See here, Mr.—­er—­old chap, don’t you think you can induce the servants to come back to us?  By Jove, I’ll make it worth your while.  The place surely must need cleaning up a bit.  It’s some months since the old—­since Mr. Skaggs died.”  He always said “Skaggs” after a scornful pause and in a tone as disdainfully nasal as it was possible for him to produce.

“Not at all, my lord.  The servants did not leave the place until your steamer was sighted this morning.  It’s as clean as a pin.”

“This morning?”

“Yes, my lord.  They would not desert the chateau until they were sure you were on board.  They were extraordinarily faithful.”

“I don’t see it that way, leaving us like this.  What’s to become of the place?  Can’t I get an injunction, or whatever you call it?”

“What are we to do?” wailed Lady Agnes, sitting down suddenly upon the edge of a fountain.

“You see, my lady, they take the position that you have no right here,” volunteered Bowles.

“How absurd!  I am heir to every foot of this island—­”

“They are very foolish about it I’m sure.  They’ve got the ridiculous idea into their noddles that you can’t be the heiress unless Lord Deppingham passes away inside of a year, and—­”