“Gone? When?”
“An hour ago,” she said. “He caught the morning train.”
“Why?”
“I—I do not know,” she replied.
The lie was badly delivered, but he did not notice her momentary hesitation and confusion. He took a step toward the stairs, a hideous thought, suspicion, dread, flashing across his mind.
“Esmeralda!” he said under his breath.
She understood.
“I will go and see,” she said.
He put out his hand, as if to stop her, then went up the stairs and knocked at Esmeralda’s door. It was opened, but by Barker. She looked rather troubled and uneasy.
“The marchioness? I wish to see her.”