"Not at all. D'you mind telling us what happened?"
The whole company crowded closer.
"Oh, nothing much," answered Hugh deliberately, "except we had reason to suppose the house had been entered."
"Great Scott!" protested Hilyer. "That's a go. We've never had anything like that before in the County. But with so many men out of work, and the unrest and whatnot, I suppose it's no more than to be expected."
"Did you lose anything, Lord Chesby?" inquired Hilmi Bey.
"I think not."
The Countess Sandra Vassilievna permitted an artistic shudder to undulate her figure.
"Bozhe moi, Maude!" she cried. "Do you bring us into your rural England to risk death from burglars? I prefer the Bolshevists."
Several people laughed.
"All the same, it's no joke," answered Mrs. Hilyer. "Thanks for the warning, Lord Chesby. We'll let the dogs loose around the house after this at night."