A momentary silence fell upon us as we gazed—a silence which was broken at length by my lady.
“And now that I am all attention, sir,” she said lightly, “what is it that you wish to say to me?”
“Why, madam——” I began, and I hesitated awkwardly, all the fine speeches I had prepared beforehand vanishing on the instant from my memory, under the disconcerting gaze of her dark eyes. “What of the horses?” I ended somewhat lamely.
She gave a low, musical laugh, that went rippling through the room.
“As to your horses, sir!” she replied, “I have not heard that any one is missing.”
“No, madam,” I answered with what sternness I could muster. “True, there are none missing, but I fail to see what object there was in their abduction.”
“When you had matched your cleverness against mine, sir?” she said quickly.
“I confess that I had not looked upon it in that light,” I replied. “So to your ladyship I must ascribe their disappearance and for myself a day’s toilsome search.”
“I did not say so!” she answered, smiling.
“But you implied it, madam,” I persisted. “I am as well assured that the plan itself emanated from your ladyship as I am that your servants carried it into execution.”