d the Sergeant at his heels.
Reaching the orchard, they searched the arbour within and without, they
peered and prodded under bushes, they sought high and they sought low
without avail.

"Very remarkable!" exclaimed the Major at last.

"Most extraordinary, od's my life!" assented Sir Benjamin, mopping
heated brow. "Are you sure you had it on, sir?"

"Belike some stray cur hath taken a fancy to it and run off wi' it!"
the Colonel suggested.

"Mistaking it for--er--something equally unpleasant, nunky!" added the
Viscount.

"'Tis not so much the loss of the coat itself that gives me worry
as--er--the contents of the pockets!" said the Major, wrinkling his
brow.

"What, your purse, sir?" enquired Sir Benjamin.

"Nay that--would scarce ha' mattered."

"Ya' snuff-box, Jack?"

"Letters, uncle?"

"No, no, not--exactly letters as 'twere and yet--ah--O demme!" So the
Major gave up the useless search. "Come, gentlemen--if 'tis gone, 'tis
gone. Come, let us get back to our game."

CHAPTER XLVI

FURTHER INTIMATE ADVENTURES OF THE RAMILLIE COAT

"Aunt Belinda," said my lady, pausing on the broad stair with lighted
candle, "pray how do you refrain?"

"From what, dear Betty?"

"Sneezing, aunt!"

"O naughty puss!"

"All the evening by my reckoning you have sneezed but once. Sure you
must be getting snuff-proof or----"

"O wicked, teasing baggage!"

"Art very happy, dear aunt?"

"Ah my sweet, so happy that I yearn to have thee happy too!"

"In two days, aunt, two little days! Charles will wait no longer
and--I'm glad."

"Hast been up to wish him good-night, Bet?"

"Nay, he was asleep, dear boy, and looked so young, aunt, for all his
trials."

"Trials do but better us, child--or should do. Good-night, my sweet,
and pleasant dreams!" So they kissed each other and went their several
ways.

Reaching her chamber my lady sent her maid to bed, locked the door,
took a key from her bosom and, from its hiding-place among dainty,
perfumed garments and laces, drew forth the Ramillie coat. Then she
set it upon the back of a chair and, hanging thus, the well-worn
garment fell into such natural folds and creases that its owner might
almost have been inside it. The night was hot and still, and through
the open lattice stole the languorous perfume of honeysuckle, and
breathing in the sweetness my lady sighed as she began to undress; yet
in the midst of this dainty business, chancing to glance at the
R