year."

This time, Andrew Larkspur was still more surprised, though he was so
completely master of himself as to conceal the smallest evidence of his
astonishment.

Here was a woman who had not devoted her mind to Berlin wool-work, and
whose arithmetic was irreproachable!

"Humph!" he muttered, too cautious to betray any appearance of
eagerness to accept an advantageous offer. "A thousand a year is very
well in its way; but how long is it to last? If I turn my back upon
this business here, it'll all tumble to pieces, and then, where shall I
be when you have done with me?"

"I will engage you for one year, certain."

"That won't do, ma'am; you must make it three years, certain."

"Very well; I am willing to do that," answered Honoria. "I shall, in
all probability, require your services for three years."

Mr. Larkspur regretted that he had not asked for an engagement of six
years.

"Do you agree to those terms?" asked Honoria.

"Yes," answered the detective, with well-assumed indifference; "I
suppose I may as well accept those terms, though I dare say I might
make more money by leaving myself free to give my attention to anything