From then till the date fixed Shin Shira was very busy, and I only saw him once or twice, and on the eventful day I did not see him at all.
The Verrinder children were coming in the carriage with me, and, according to arrangement, we were the first to arrive.
There was an awning at the door and a red carpet laid down the steps and across the pavement; the house was brilliantly lighted, and evidently grand preparations had been going on.
I hurried up the steps, followed by Marjorie, Dick and Fidge.
The servant who stood at the open door, and who knew me by sight, was looking very anxious, and whispered, "The housekeeper would like to speak to you at once in the dining-room, sir."
"Anything the matter?" I asked.
"Yes, sir, the master—he—he can't be found," said the man.
I hurried down to the dining-room, and found the housekeeper in her best black silk dress, looking even more distressed than the manservant had been.
"The master, sir," she began at once when I entered the room. "Whatever is to be done? He can't be found anywhere—and the guests beginning to arrive—"
"Never mind," said I, after thinking a moment. "I've no doubt he'll be here presently—and, in the meantime, as I know most if not all of the guests, I'll receive them, and explain that he has probably been called away and will no doubt be back presently."