At this description, Floss straightened her skirt and put a hand to her hair. Hotstuff removed his hand gracefully from a companion's pocket and smiled ingratiatingly.
"I see," Busby said quietly, but in his pale eyes there was an enormous doubt.
"Where is Mrs. Pillsworth?" Marc asked casually. "And Mario?"
"I'm not just certain," Busby said. "They took their paints and a lunch hamper and went off into the woods." He pointed to the south. "They were headed out that way."
"I think I'll hunt them out and have a word with them," Marc said.
"And your—uh—associates?"
"Oh, yes," Marc said. He leaned a bit closer to Busby. "What do you think would amuse them, Busby?"
"I don't suppose I should say it, sir," Busby said, "but I think I ought to slip inside and put the silver and Mrs. Pillsworth's jewels in the vault. As for amusing them, we haven't any dope or revolvers on the premises, but, then, perhaps they've brought their own."
"I shouldn't be surprised," Marc said.
"And while I'm about it, sir," Busby went on, "I think I'd better put the lock on the wine cellar."