"You're right, it was the countess who bought the articles," agreed Lionel.
Ferdinand frowned in perplexity. "In that case, my girl, you will take a message to the countess."
"Couldn't do it, sir. The countess is having her hair dyed. Besides, you'll never get anything out of her. She never paid a bill in her life. Did she?" with another wink at Lionel.
"Not she," testified the gardener. "She uses her bills for curl papers."
"I am shocked at these statements," grieved Ferdinand Spooner, wiping his brow with a heavily scented handkerchief. "Perhaps, under the circumstances, I had better take back the articles. Ah! An idea!" He searched in his trousers pocket and produced a silver piece. "Don't mention this, but—if you can get the articles for me, quietly, you understand, I shall be glad to compensate you." He offered the coin to Lionel.
"Half a crown?" shrugged the gardener. "That's not much, is it, cook?"
"It's worth ten shillings," declared Kate.
"Very well," agreed Spooner with a pained look. "Get the articles at once."
"I'll get them," said Lionel and he disappeared into the library.
"I am astonished to hear that the Countess Clendennin dyes her hair," reflected Ferdinand.