“Quick, then—down to the gate! We must see them there.”
“Unless they have passed through,” said Linnell, with a groan. “I ought not to have left the entrance.”
“Don’t talk,” said Mellersh, almost savagely now, he seemed so moved from his ordinary calm. “I don’t want to think you are right, Dick, but I begin to be suspicious at last.”
They hurried down to the gate, where a knot of servants were chatting, the lights from the carriage-lamps glistening in polished panels and windows, and throwing up the gay liveries of the belaced footmen waiting.
“Has any one passed through here lately?” said Mellersh sharply.
“No, sir,” was chorused.
“Not a lady and gentleman?”
“No, sir—yes, about half an hour ago Colonel Lascelles and the doctor at the barracks went out together.”
“But no lady and gentleman separately or together?”
“No, sir.”