“What does it mean?” Lady Mildred asked hoarsely. “Do you think that he can already have started?”
“No, but we must be very careful what we say. We must be loyal to John, and we must not arouse any suspicion among the servants.”
“It is nearly eleven o’clock—too late to do anything to-night,” Lady Mildred said miserably.
There was a knock at the door and Lord Lynton came in hurriedly.
“Have you any idea where Gaunt is?” he asked anxiously.
“No. Haven’t you seen him?”
“I have been dining with Sir Keith Hamilton, and afterwards he talked to me very plainly. It appears that he has formed a great liking for Gaunt, and he expressed his opinion very forcibly about this police court business. He is convinced that Gaunt played no unworthy part in that Marillier affair, and that the whole thing is a put up job on the part of the Baron. I chanced to say that I had taken up rather a strong attitude, and he promptly told me that I was a fool, advising me to go and make my peace at once.”
“And I have come on a like errand, but I am afraid that we are too late,” Lady Mildred said brokenly, and tears forced themselves to her eyes.
“Surely there ought to be no difficulty in finding him,” the Earl said decidedly.
“Perhaps he has already left the country?” Lady Ethel broke in.