to-day.  Well, that looked to me deuced queer.  I’m convinced that Nap is up to some devilry.  What on earth induced her to go there with him anyway?  The mother was real bothered about it, and so was I. We couldn’t rest, either of us.  And in the end she ordered the big Daimler and went off to Bramhurst herself.  I wanted to go with her, but she wouldn’t have me at any price.  You know the mother.  So I stopped to look after things here.  Everyone cleared off this morning, thank the gods.  I don’t think anyone smelt a rat.  I told them the mother had gone to nurse a sick friend, and it seemed to go down all right.”

Lucas had listened to the recital with closed eyes and a perfectly expressionless face.  He did not speak for a few moments when Bertie ended.  At length, “And the mother is not back yet?” he asked.

“No.  But I’m not afraid for her.  She knows how to hold her own.”

“That’s so,” Lucas conceded; and fell silent again.

He was frowning a little as if in contemplation of some difficulty, but his composure was absolute.

“There may be nothing in it,” he said at last.

Bertie grunted.  “I knew he was in a wild beast mood before they started.  He nearly rode the black mare to death in the early morning.”

“Why wasn’t I told of that?” Lucas opened his eyes with the question and looked directly at his brother’s worried countenance.

“My dear fellow, you were too sick to be bothered.  Besides, you were taking morphia.  He saw to that.”

Lucas closed his eyes again without comment, A long pause ensued before he spoke again.

Then:  “Bertie,” he said, “go down to the garage and leave word that as soon as Nap returns I want to speak to him.”

“He won’t return,” said Bertie, with conviction.

“I think he will.  It is even possible that he has returned already.  In any case, go and tell them.  Ah, Tawny, what is it?”

The valet came to his master’s side.  His hideous features wore an expression that made them almost benign.  The dumb devotion of an animal looked out of his eyes.

“A note, sir, from the Manor.”

“Who brought it?” asked Lucas.

“A groom, sir.”

“Waiting for an answer?”

“Yes, sir.”

Lucas opened the note.  It was from Anne.

He read a few lines, then glanced at Bertie.  “It’s all right, Bertie.  Go and give that message, will you?  Say it’s important—­an urgent matter of business.”

Bertie departed, and Lucas’s eyes returned to the sheet he held.

Tawny Hudson stood motionless beside him, and several silent seconds ticked away.  His master spoke at length.

“Pen and paper, Tawny.  Yes, that’s right.  Now put your arm behind the pillows and give me a hoist.  Slowly now, slowly!”

And then, as the man supported him, very slowly and unsteadily he traced a few words.

“Don’t worry.  All’s well.—­Lucas.”