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If ye men don't want to 'ear 'im, you don't 'ave to stay; but don't 'e dare touchen with a finger, or, by God! Tom Carkeek will kick the stuffin' out en 'e!" This was enough to prevent any overt act, for Tom Carkeek was the champion wrestler in all that county; he was fiercer than fire when roused, and he would be backed by every Cornishman on the job. Jack went on with his talk.
I spent the most of my time out of doors, winding up the day's work as a rule with a walk down the cool valley, along the beach and back. "I soon found that all housework could be safely left to Mrs. Carkeek. It was as though her mind strayed off to some small job she had forgotten, and her eyes wore a listening look, as though she waited for the neglected task to speak and remind her.
I caught up my candle, flung my dressing-gown about me, and stole softly downstairs. "Then it was simple. I traced the sound to the pantry. 'Mrs. Carkeek has left the tap running, said I: and, sure enough, I found it so a thin trickle steadily running to waste in the porcelain basin. I turned off the tap, went contentedly back to my bed, and slept. " for some hours.
Finally I had to conclude that she arose and dusted and tidied as soon as she judged me safely a-bed. I found the kitchen as clean as a pin, and the fire laid, but no trace of Mrs. Carkeek. I walked upstairs and knocked at her door. "'No, I said, 'it's not a burglar. But I've found out what I wanted, that you do your morning's work over night. But you mustn't wait for me when I choose to sit up.
I opened my eyes in darkness, and at once knew what had awakened me. The tap was running again. Now it had shut easily in my hand, but not so easily that I could believe it had slipped open again of its own accord. 'This is Mrs. Carkeek's doing, said I; and am afraid I added 'Bother Mrs. Carkeek!
'I thought as much! said I, as I wrenched out a thick plug of cork and immediately the water began to flow. I turned triumphantly on Mrs. Carkeek, who had grown suddenly red in the face. Her eyes were fixed on the cork in my hand. Then, as our eyes met, it occurred to me that only two mornings before Mrs. Carkeek had worn a print gown of that same sprigged pattern.
Clearly Mrs. Carkeek wished me to begin, and I determined at once to have it out with her. "'And you knew all about it. That's what accounts for your plugging up the cistern. "'You saw? . . . she began. "'Yes, yes. And you must tell me all about it never mind how bad. Is is it murder? "'Law bless you, miss, whatever put such horrors in your head? "'She was washing her hands.
'Is that the housekeeper? "'Yes: she was wife to my late hind. I'm sorry, miss, he added, my face telling him no doubt what sort of woman I expected Mrs. Carkeek to be; 'but I had to make it a rule after after some things that happened. And I dare say you won't find her so bad. Mary Carkeek's a sensible comfortable woman, and knows the place.
"'Well now' Mrs. Carkeek rubbed my candlestick with the edge of her apron 'I'm so glad you take it like this. For there isn't really nothing to be afraid of is there? She eyed me wistfully. 'It's my belief she loves you, miss. But only to think what a time she must have had with the others! "'The others? I echoed. "'The other tenants, miss: the ones afore you. "'Were they bad?
"So when the time came I packed up my boxes, and tried to be cheerful. But on the last morning, when they stood corded in the hall, I sent Mrs. Carkeek upstairs upon some poor excuse, and stepped alone into the pantry. "'Margaret! I whispered. "There was no answer at all. I had scarcely dared to hope for one.
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