Although I have not seen you since you were four years old, I have a
fancy that I should like you to come to Barrowfield and look after my
house and its inmates while I am away on business....
Here Mr Sigglesthorne smiled and nodded his head vigorously, and leaning
back in his chair began to polish his glasses again.
... I shall be away for six months, and during that time--if you agree
to come--you must promise to obey the following instructions. You will
please sign your name under them and give the paper to Mr Sigglesthorne,
who is acting for me in this matter, as I am unable to come and visit
you myself owing to my urgent call from home.
These are the instructions to be obeyed:
1. While you are staying under my roof you are not to visit, nor invite
to the house, any relatives whatsoever.
2. No letters are to be written home, but one postcard every month may
be sent; and you may only receive post-cards, no letters, from your
relatives--and then only one card each month.
3. On no account may you try to open the locked-up room at the end of
the first floor landing. Nor may you peer through the keyhole.
A faint chuckle escaped Mr Sigglesthorne, a fleeting, scarcely audible
chuckle which he suffocated immediately. There was a blank space after
the 'instructions' for Pamela to sign her name; and then a few more
lines ended the letter.
I am leaving my two trusted servants, Martha and Ellen, to cook, and
clean the house. When I return at the end of six months I will hand
over to you--providing you have not broken any of the above
conditions--the sum of L50, which is deposited meanwhile with my banker.
(Enclosed you will find banker's guarantee for same.)
I am likewise offering the same sum of money to three other girls who
are being asked to come and stay at my house, and to whom I want you to
act as hostess. The girls' names are: Beryl Cranswick, Isobel Prior,
and Caroline Weston.
Send me a wire to reach me by Saturday evening saying whether you accept
this invitation or not. If you accept you must arrive at Barrowfield
not later than Tuesday next.