Lord Stair was silent a moment. “Where is the Countess?” he asked.
The man did not answer.
“Where is she?”
“My lord, my lord.”
At the tone, the exclamation, the Earl gave a little start.
“She is in the house,” he said sharply.
Slowly, reluctantly, came the reply.
“No, my lord.”
And as the man spoke he saw the Earl put his hand out swiftly and catch hold of the banisters.
“When did she go?” came through the shadows and Lord Stair’s voice shook a little.