Richard got up, a dawning curiosity in his face.
"What is the matter with you?" he said. "Have you been"—
The words died away. The colonel's gleaming eye stopped him.
"We will go at once, if you please," said Tredennis, and strode out of the room before him.
When they reached the house Bertha was still standing where her guest had left her a few moments before, and but one glance at her face was needed to show both of them that something unusual had occurred.
"You have had Blundel here?" Richard asked, with an attempt at his usual manner, which ill-covered his excitement. "We thought we saw him crossing the street."
"Yes," she answered. "He has just left me."
She turned suddenly and walked back to the hearth.
"He left a message for you," she said. "That is it,"—and she pointed to the last bit of tinder flickering on the coals.
"The—letter!" exclaimed Richard.