"Naturally; but how did he know that Madame De Costa—Mrs. Darcy, I mean. That is, why didn't he come to the Legation?"
"You see, sir, as he told me the story——" and Randell paused uneasily.
"Well, out with it, man: what did he tell you?"
"That the lady had written him—which he got this morning, that she had placed herself in your care, and all her belongings were to be sent to your address."
"What, my private address?"
"Yes, sir. Quite correct, sir. He showed it to me in her letter."
"It's all because I gave her my private card by mistake," and Mr. Stanley cursed a number of people and things under his breath.
"He asked plenty of questions, which I didn't answer, more than I was in duty bound. But when he learned as you was a bachelor, sir, and the lady had been at your rooms last evening, he was that upset——"
The Secretary tilted his office chair back on its hind legs and gave vent to a long, low, meditative whistle.
"I explained to him that there was nothing to be displeased about; but he wouldn't have none of it and said——"