A quarter of an hour elapsed, and another message came; then another more urgent, and a fourth more urgent still. The Major wished he could shave his head; it would be more presentable then than as it was now. He was bemoaning the ill-luck or stupidity of Hollis, when the Squire himself arrived at the door.
‘What is the matter, Dawkins? We are all waiting for you. Are you ill?’
‘Yes, yes; I am ill; but I will be with you as soon as I can.’
‘Then open the door and let me shake hands with you.’
‘Not just now, not just now. I’ll come and shake hands with you as much as you like, in half an hour or so,’ was the agitated response.
‘Well, as you please; but I want to ask you to forget yesterday. Willis has explained everything, and your letters are correctly understood now. My wife is sorry that she did not take in the right meaning of the one which fell into her hands; Nellie appreciates your desire to forewarn her against any stupid gossip that fool Cousin John might spread; Mrs John thinks it was kind of you to wish to put her husband right, and he has got a lesson which he will not forget in a hurry. But she regards the whole affair as a good joke. You see, all is well; so come away at once and complete the party.’
‘I am delighted; but please do excuse me, Squire. I can’t come at once,’ groaned the Major, passing his hand shudderingly through the besmirched hair.
‘Very well, then, as soon as you can; you will find us somewhere about the lawn.’ And the Squire, wondering what the Major’s curious malady could be, rejoined his friends.
At last Hollis did knock at the door, bringing the joyful tidings that he had found the case—sticking between two branches of the hawthorn which had wrecked the burglar’s bundle. He had been about to abandon the search, when, happening to look up, he saw it where he never would have thought of looking for it.
The Major dressed with more than usual care, gave Hollis orders to pack up, as they were to leave that day; and then, holding himself as erect as if on parade, he proceeded in the direction of the lawn with the firm determination to bid his host and hostess good-bye. But on his way he encountered Miss Euphemia, whose gold-rimmed pince-nez glittered with pleasure at sight of him. ‘I am so delighted to see you, Major. I—we were all afraid, that you were seriously ill.’