'What have you done with Mr. Vandercroft?' he said, looking sharply up.
'Mr. ——?' Shady asked, not catching the name.
'My friend, whom I left with you; I wish to see him.'
'The gentleman is in the portrait gallery,' said Shadrach, 'and has no desire for company.'
'Not for yours, perhaps.'
'You are correct, Mr. Bloodworth, for he requested me to go; but I did not take it to be personal, as he desired to be locked in, that none might intrude.'
'Where's the key?'
'The key?' said Shady, looking at him calmly.
'Yes, the key,' repeated Bloodworth, his natural fierceness returning; 'I tell you I wish to see him.'
'You can see him,' said Shady, looking up as if calculating, 'at eleven o'clock to-morrow, if you will ride so far.'