Helena threw herself on her father's neck. He clasped her tenderly, looking over her shoulder to Ericson as if he were putting her carefully for the moment out of the way. 'It is dynamite, Ericson?'
'Oh, yes, I think so. The sound seems to me beyond all mistake. I have heard it before.'
'Not an accident?'
'No—no accident. I don't think we need trouble about that. Look here, Sir Rupert; you look after the house and the Duchess, and Sarrasin and everybody; Hamilton will help you—I say, Hamilton! Hamilton! where are you? I am going to have a ride round the grounds and see if anyone is lurking. I have ordered a horse to be bridled.'
'You take command, Ericson,' Sir Rupert said.
'Outside, yes,' Ericson assented. 'You look after things inside.'
'You must order a horse for me too,' Helena exclaimed, stiffening herself up from her father's protecting embrace. 'I can help you, I have the eyes of a lynx—I must do something. I must! Let me go, papa!' She turned appealingly to Sir Rupert.
'Go, child, if you won't be in the way.'
Ericson hesitated, just for a second; then he spoke.
'Come with me if you will, Miss Langley. You can pilot me over the grounds as nobody else can.'