THE RIVALS.
For some moments the two men looked at one another; and then Major Jen, seeing the necessity for prompt action, rang the bell. Jaggard entered with military swiftness, and stared blankly at his master, who was pointing at the wall; an action inexplicable to the servant at that moment.
"Where is the devil-stick?" demanded Jen, wrathfully.
"The what, sir?" asked Jaggard, doubtfully.
"The green stick with the gold handle which was placed among the weapons here. It is gone. What has become of it?"
Jaggard advanced to the trophy of weapons, and examined them with some deliberation, after which he turned to face the irate major.
"It's gone sure enough, sir, but I don't know where."
"Find out if any of the servants have taken it."
Jaggard saluted and vanished, while his master walked up and down the room, fuming at the loss of the curiosity. He had all the talk to himself, for Maurice, whose mind was busy with conjectures as to Dido or Dr. Etwald being the thief, did not think it necessary to speak. In a few minutes Jaggard returned with the news that none of the servants had been in the smoking-room that evening.
"Who lighted the lamp?" demanded Jen, sharply.