“Where are they now, papa, besides being in the city, which is a place of ‘magnificent distances,’ you know?” inquired Wynnette.
“My dear, Le is—everywhere—except here! Le is—ubiquitous! He is a will-o’-the-wisp! We have spent the day in following him about. He was on his ship—but when we got there he was gone to the navy department, and when we reached there he was off to the office of the commissioner of prisoners. When we arrived at the last-mentioned place he was gone back to the navy department. So we came here to report and get a little rest and refreshments, and then we are going down to the navy yard to board the Argente and wait there until we see him. He is sure to turn up on the Argente—well—sooner or later, as he is in command.”
“And—Roland?” softly murmured Rosemary.
“Roland, my dear, is alive and well, but he does not know where you are any more than Le does. We must find Le and let him know that we are here,” said Mr. Force.
Then, with a total change of manner, he began:
“Come here, Odalite, my dear, and sit beside me. I have such good news for you as shall give you patience to wait for Le, if he does not come here for a week. But such news that, if he knew it, would bring him within an hour!”
Full of vague expectancy, Odalite came and threw herself down on the sofa beside her father, and looked up into his eyes.
“My dear Odalite, what would be the very best news that you could hear to-day?” he inquired.
Odalite gazed into his eyes, too much excited to speak. Fearing, indeed, to speak, lest his next words should disappoint her raised hopes, while Mrs. Force and every occupant of the room, except the earl, waited breathlessly.
“Oh, tell me, papa! tell me what you have to tell!” pleaded Odalite.