“I am going to-day,” he said. “You masked her, and it is only fair that you should have a word in the bargain. You must come too.”
At first I hesitated, but at length acquiesced.
That evening the Count received us in the library of his country mansion, and congratulated Dick warmly upon his masterpiece. It was evident that he meant to secure it at any cost, therefore the price was soon arranged; and before we had been there half an hour, my companion had a cheque for four figures in his pocket.
We were about to make our adieux, but the Count would not hear of it.
“Dinner will be ready almost immediately,” he said. “You must stay. We are quite en famille, you know. Only my wife and I.”
A few moments later the door opened, and there was the rustle of a silken train.
“Ah, here’s the Countess!” exclaimed the millionaire, stepping forward to introduce us.
We turned, and saw a pale, beautiful woman, attired in a handsome dinner-gown.
“Ethel! You?” we both cried in amazement.
“Dick!” she gasped. “You—you have found me!”