Hartwig and I exchanged glances. Was the caller an agent of Secret Police.
“What did he say when you told him of your master’s absence?”
“He seemed rather puzzled, and went away expressing his intention of calling again.”
“He was a stranger?”
“I’d never seen him before, sir.”
“And this Miss Gottorp—is your master very attached to her?”
“He worships her, as the sayin’ is, sir,” replied the man frankly. “She lives down at Brighton, and he spends half his time there on her account.”
“You say your master left London for the country on Monday afternoon. What was his destination?”
“Ah, I don’t know. I only know he drove to Victoria, but whether he left by the South Eastern or the South Coast line is a mystery.”
I had already formed a theory that Drury had travelled down to Eastbourne and had met his well-beloved outside the shop in Terminus Road. Afterwards both had disappeared! My amazement was mingled with annoyance and chagrin. Natalia had, alas! too little regard for the convenances. She had acted foolishly, with that recklessness which had always characterised her and had already scandalised the Imperial Family. Now it had resulted in her becoming victim of some dastardly plot, the exact nature of which was not yet apparent.