an army of maids in their cleaning of the dining hall and its adjoining rooms, I am looking forward to a late-night tete-a-tete with Edmund over tea. I hurry into the artium, only to be brought up short by the sight of an unusual looking maid serving tea to Edmund and a well-dressed man.

"Erzebet! There you are!" Edmund exclaims as he jumps from his seat as I approach. This causes the stranger to also stand and turn towards me. "How good of you to join us. May I present Dr. Scylding? He's recently arrived from London. And Dr. Scylding, this is the woman who makes the house run so smoothly. The housekeeper, Miss Erzebet Krokygg."

We exchange pleasantries as the maid pours me a cup of tea. I may not know her, but she has been well trained. I take on the roll of hostess right away. "Welcome to Drakesheath, Doctor. Sorry I wasn't here to greet you earlier, but we've been preparing for a grand party for Master Felix Godwinson to celebrate his return home. He is the apple of his father's eye, he is. I trust the room you were given suits your needs?" I sip my tea, and our visitor is about to reply when the maid suddenly drops the lid to the silver sugar bowl. It clatters on the floor, and she hastily but awkwardly retrieves it.

Her actions draw my attention to her, and I suddenly recognize her! This is Desmond's Sally! Oh what mischeif is that Looney up to now? He promised she would not leave the lab when I last spoke to him about it. I shoot the girl a very dark look, and she looks as if she is about to cry.

"Oh me! Oh my!" she repeats quietly to herself.

The Doctor is watching the girl with much concern in his face. I must distract him before he learns her secret. I turn to him and smile. "So sorry about that. Sally is a new maid, and she is easily startled. Does your room have everything that you need?"