However silently the cars stole up the drive, by the time the door was opened, always the Sealyham was on parade, his small feet together, his tail up, his rough little head upon one side, waiting to greet us with an explosion of delight. In his bright eyes the rite was never stale, never laborious. It was the way of his heart.
Naturally enough, we came to look for his welcome. Had we looked in vain some night, we should have been concerned….
We were concerned this night.
We opened the door to find the hall empty.
Nobby was not upon parade.
Tired as we were, we searched the whole house. Presently I found a note upon my pyjamas.
SIR,
Must tell you we cannot find Nobby, the chauffeur and me looking everywhere and Fitch as been out in Pau all evening in quest. Hoping his whereabouts is perhaps known to you,
Yours respectfully, J. FALCON.
I was at the Villa Buichi the following morning by a quarter to ten.