” “Many other people,” she remarked, “have made the same mistake. Father— dead. ’ With an unexpected flush of pleasure, he recalled the girl’s antics. Thankfully, he seemed pleased the moment he saw her face, which her mother had made her wash for weeks with the pulp of apples, orange water, and 21 extract of borage among other things. Old implements of housebreaking were discovered; and the thief-taker's most hidden depositories were laid bare. ‘Go and fetch her home,’ he said; ‘it isn’t what we thought! It’s just a practical joke of hers. Challenge accepted. I am a resolute man, and hitherto when I have wanted a thing I have got it; but I have never yet wanted anything in my life as I have wanted you. But you had better know the truth to start with.