"So let be, Jack—Sergeant Zeb shall bring you another!"
But the Major was determined, and presently sallied forth with Sir Benjamin, the Viscount, Colonel Cleeve and the Sergeant at his heels. Reaching the orchard, they searched the arbour within and without, they peered and prodded under bushes, they sought high and they sought low without avail.
"Very remarkable!" exclaimed the Major at last.
"Most extraordinary, od's my life!" assented Sir Benjamin, mopping heated brow. "Are you sure you had it on, sir?"
"Belike some stray cur hath taken a fancy to it and run off wi' it!" the Colonel suggested.
"Mistaking it for—er—something equally unpleasant, nunky!" added the Viscount.
"'Tis not so much the loss of the coat itself that gives me worry as—er—the contents of the pockets!" said the Major, wrinkling his brow.
"What, your purse, sir?" enquired Sir Benjamin.
"Nay that—would scarce ha' mattered."
"Ya' snuff-box, Jack?"