I went to the grate and saw that every particle of paper had been consumed.
The maid went along to my love’s room, but emerged quickly, saying—
“I think her ladyship must have gone out. Her cape and motor-cap have gone.”
In an instant it was evident that having destroyed her private papers she had slipped out into the park unseen.
I rushed downstairs, and finding Keene in the smoking-room took him quickly out into the hall, and told him of my grave apprehensions, whereupon he was in an instant on the alert.
“She surely cannot have carried out her threat!” he gasped. “We must try to find her at once. Not an instant must be lost! The burning of her papers is sufficient proof of the fatal step she contemplated. Come, let’s go in search at once.”
And breathlessly, fearing the worst, we took our caps and hurried out into the chill windy night.