"We'll let him go hang!" he said. "Will you come out sand-eeling with me to-morrow?"
And in the interest of this new topic, Randolph sank into the background.
About a week later, Randolph went to dine with the Admiral. He arrival punctually at eight o'clock, but found the house in a commotion. The Major met him at the door.
"Have you seen my niece? We thought she might be at the Farm."
"Is she lost?" Randolph asked lightly.
"By George!" said the Major, bringing his fist down with force upon the hall table. "Do you think we're going to allow that for a moment? She went out after lunch, and said she would be back to tea. It's close on eight now, and no one seems to have seen anything of her."
"She has not been near the Farm," said Randolph, sobering at once. "Did she go on the river?"
"She never said she was going," said the Major. "Is the boat missing?"
No one seemed to have thought of looking. The Admiral came forward:
"It was only ten minutes ago that we discovered that she was not in the house. I have been out riding all the afternoon, and have not been in long. Wherever she is, she must have been delayed by some grave cause, for she is never late for dinner."