Extreme was Sir Gilbert’s disappointment and chagrin when told that his son had finally quitted the Tower only about forty hour’s previously. This had happened during Martin’s absence from home, but the latter was already aware that his guest’s visit would presently come to an end, and that, although he continued to linger on like one who found it impossible to tear himself away from the home of his boyhood, his task was accomplished and there was nothing more left him to do.
“But if you were away at the time, how do you know that my son left the Tower when you say he did?” demanded the Baronet.
“Because I found this note, sir, waiting for me when I got home,” responded the keeper.
Sir Gilbert took the proffered note with an eagerness he made no effort to dissemble.
“DEAR OLD MARTIN,” it ran, “I am off to-night—Tuesday—and whether we shall ever see each other again is more than I can say. My hearty thanks are due to you and Dulcie for the hospitality you have shown me, and the many kindnesses I have received at your hands. You may be sure that both of you will be often in my thoughts when I am thousands of miles away, and I will not so far wrong you as to think you will forget me. I implicitly trust you to still preserve the same strict secrecy as heretofore with regard to my presence at the Chase. On no account must the faintest whisper of the truth escape the lips of either of you. More on this point I know that I need not write.
“I am especially desirous—in fact, I lay it on you as a charge—that you should keep yourself informed from day to day (which you will have no difficulty in doing) of the state of my dear father’s health; and, should any necessity arise for you to do so, I rely upon you to at once telegraph to me, under the name of ‘John Alexander,’ to the address given you on the other side. That this is most important you will readily understand, and that you will not neglect my wishes in the matter I feel assured.
“And now goodbye till we meet again—if ever we do.
“Your friend,
“A. C.”
“Rigg, I should like to keep this, if you have no objection,” said the Baronet when he had read it carefully through.
“No objection whatever, Sir Gilbert; only I should like you to bear in mind that I should have kept my promise to Master Alec, and that nobody would have got a word out of me, if you, sir, hadn’t forced me to speak.”