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movements of his gesticulating hands. I felt as if playing an unknown part in a very poor detective story. 'These two Italians do not understand English', said Mr. J., and their blank expressions when he spoke did not belie his words. 'They thin [[strikethrough]] an [[/strikethrough]] k that you ladies know more about the matter than you let on'. We persisted that no one gardener we had ever employed possessed all four of the traits required. 'And your cook? Ask your cook to come in and pour me out a glass of water,' said the Italian officer. Thereupon. I myself went to the pantry and called Antonio to bring in some drinking water. Now it so happens that we have in our service a maid whom we call the dancing-idiot. Her father played the violin and during her childhood she would dance to his playing, she told us. Though no longer young she still retained this habit of dancing and mincing about even when at her work, all of which leads to much breaking of crockery. We have noticed that she accelerates her steps when in the presence of the male sex. It would appear that when Antonio was bout to enter the room with his tray, the dancer, hearing three entrancing male voices, suddenly whisked the tray from his hands, saying that it was her service not his, and then in a red jacket she came dancing her way into the dining-room. It was funny but it looked most suspicious, as if Antonio was unwilling to appear. Sending the maid away, I gave orders for my cook to come in at once. He did so and poured out a glass