"Two hours after he had left!" I gasped, well-nigh stunned by his words.
"Two hours," he replied. "But I have been a trifle remiss, I fear me, and for that I would crave your pardon. It is now two hours and a half since my master departed."
He made a low bow and went back to the house, leaving me stupidly staring at the letter.
"My fever," it ran, "is happily so abated that I am to be carried this instant into the country. There will be no danger, I am assured, providing that I am well wrapped up. Au revoir! Or is it adieu?--HUGH MARSTON."
The sarcasm made my blood boil in my veins, and I ran to the sentinels I had posted before the entrances, rating them immeasurably for their negligence. They heard me with all the marks of surprise, and expostulated in some heat. No one, they maintained, who in any way resembled Mr. Marston had left the house; they had watched most faithfully the day long, without a bite of food to stay their stomachs. Somewhat relieved by their words, I took no heed of their forward demeanour, but gave them to understand that if their words were true, they should eat themselves into a stupor an they were so disposed. For I began to fancy that the letter was a ruse to induce me to withdraw my watchmen from the neighbourhood, and thus open a free passage for my rival's escape.
With the view of confirming the suspicion, I ordered them to give me a strict and particular account of all persons who had come from the house that day. For those who had kept guard before the front-door the task was simple enough. A few gentlemen had called; but of them only one, whom they imagined to be the physician, had entered the hall. He had reappeared again within half an hour or so of his going in, and, with that exception, no person had departed by this way.
The side-door, however, had been more frequently used. Now and again a servant had come out, or a tradesman had delivered his wares. At one time a cart had driven up, a bale of carpets had been carried into the house, and a second bale fetched out.
"What!" I cried, interrupting the speaker. "A bale of carpets? At what time?"
He knew not exactly, but 'twas between three and four, for he heard a clock chime the latter hour some while afterwards.
"You dolt!" I cried. "He was in the carpets."