“Stanley, Arthur Stanley,” I answered deliriously, and the door instantly opened. One warm shake of the hands—“And your wife and Lena?”
“My wife is inside, but we are in a fever about the child. She has not returned, though she went out early this morning.”
“Where, where?” I clamoured excitedly. “D’you know the streets are shambles?”
“My God! yes; but where she has gone we can’t tell. Her maid heard her say that she went to see an old lady in Islington, but nothing——”
“What! Islington! Are you sure of this?”
“Yes, why?”
“Because I know the place. Now, cheer up. There’s no call for panic; I’ll start at once.—No, I must run the gauntlet alone—horse outside waiting—no good burdening him with two riders.”
“Godspeed.”
I was out of the hall in a moment, and in another had untethered and sprung upon the horse. A wave of the hand to Northerton, and the road began to rush away under me.