"'Yes; the fellow said he was late.'
"'And he told you—' Here the door opened and the butler entered for her Ladyship's orders for the night.
"'Barton, whom did you announce last?'
"'I didn't catch the name, your Ladyship, quite.'
"'Was it Sir John Catnall and Lady Catnall?'
"'No, your Ladyship. Something that began with P.'
"'Are you sure it was not "Catnall"?'
"'Quite sure, your Ladyship. Sir John's man was here just after dinner was announced and left a message, your Ladyship—I forgot to give it to you. He said Sir John had been out of town, and had that moment received your Ladyship's note, and that it was impossible for him to come to dinner. I supposed your Ladyship had known of it and had invited the gentleman and his lady who came last to take their places, and I put them in Sir John's and Lady Catnall's seats as it was marked on the diagram you gave Chawles.'
"'Just as I supposed, Catherine,' snorted Arbuckle, 'a couple of damned impostors; one passing himself off as a blind man. Serves you right. They've carried off half the plate by this time. Bingeley lost all of his spoons and forks that way last week; he told me so in the House yesterday.'
"'Impostors! You don't think—Barton, go down instantly and see if anything has been taken out of the cloak-room. And, Barton, see if that miniature with the jewels around the frame is where I left it on the mantel—and the candlesticks—Oh! you don't think—It can't be—Oh, dear—dear—dear!'