The duke then thanked the curate for his courtesy and left the church, attended by the detective.
"Where shall I tell the cabman to drive?" inquired Setter, as he held the door open after his employer had entered the cab.
"To Elmthorpe House, Kensington. And then, get in here, with me, if you please, Mr. Setter. I have something to say to you," answered his grace.
The detective gave the order and entered the cab.
The duke then made many suggestions, drawn from his own intimate knowledge of the tastes and habits of the duchess, to assist the detective in his search.
"You may safely leave the whole affair in my hands, sir. I will act with so much discretion that no one in London shall suspect that the Duchess of Hereward is missing. For the rest, I have no doubt that we shall soon find out the retreat of her grace. A young lady, dressed in elegant deep mourning, and travelling unattended, would be sure to have attracted attention and aroused curiosity, even in the confusion of a crowded railway station. We are safe to trace her, your grace," said Detective Setter, confidently.
CHAPTER XXVII.
IN THE CONVENT.
Salome was tenderly nursed by the nuns during the nine days in which her fever raged with unabated violence.