“Yes, my lord—we heard there was a design to burn the house. Mr. Melville went and the others, my lord.”
“I think the information was correct,” said Lord Stair quietly. “You had better follow. Only first there are the horses. My own is outside—take him and the others to the old stables at the end of the garden. I think they will be safe there. Let me know that it is done and you shall be rewarded.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Lord Stair was moving down the shadows of the hall when the man called after him:
“There is a lady waiting for you in the drawing-room, my lord. She would not be denied.”
“Waiting for me?”
The Earl paused on the first stair and looked back through the darkness at the speaker.
“Yes, my lord.”
“Her name?”
“My lord, she gave none.”