"Ah?" His Grace's thin lips twitched.
Midway through the afternoon he repaired to Wyncham House and was ushered into the library.
Richard sat writing, but rose on seeing him, and came forward.
It struck his Grace that Carstares was looking quite happy.
"You seem cheerful, Richard!"
"I am," smiled his brother-in-law.
"I am much relieved to hear it. I have seen Shepherd."
"Shepherd?" interrogated Carstares.
"Lovelace's colonel, my dear Richard. You may count on Captain Harold's departure—on an important mission—in, say, forty-eight hours."
"You may count on Captain Harold's departure in very much less, Tracy," said Carstares, a twinkle in his eye.