"Yes," said Major Colquhoun.
"Engaged carriage, sir?"
"Yes—oh, by the way, perhaps she's gone to the carriage," and he started to see, the porter following him. "Did you notice a young lady in a gray dress pass this way?" he asked the man as they went.
"With a pink feather in 'er 'at, sir?"
"Yes."
"Not pass up this way, sir," the man rejoined. "She got into a 'ansom over there, and drove off—if it was the same young lady." Major Colquhoun stopped short. The compartment reserved for them was empty also.
"Dover express! Dover express!" the guard shouted as he came along banging the carriage doors to.
"For Dover, sir?" he said in his ordinary voice to Major Colquhoun.
"No. It seems not," that gentleman answered deliberately.
The guard went on: "Dover express! Dover express! All right, Bill!" This was to someone in front as he popped into his own van, and shut the door.