the slippery clay paths to the different
keepers' houses, but without avail; so that, at last, thoroughly soaked
and disheartened, he turned back, feeling sure that, before that time,
her ladyship must have returned.

"Not come back," whispered one of the grooms to him, as he entered the
yard. "Williams got back an hour agone, and Sir Murray has been in and
gone out again."

Just at that moment, with his horse in a foam, Sir Murray galloped up.

"Well?" he said, eagerly.

"No one has even seen her leddyship, Sir Mooray," said the gardener,
curtly.

"The same answer everywhere!" exclaimed the baronet. "Let every man
mount and set off. Tell the keepers to search the wood. You, McCray,
come with me, unless Williams has returned."

"Williams is so wet, sir, he's gone to bed," said a man.

"Quick, then, McCray!" exclaimed Sir Murray; "and keep that tongue of
yours silent afterwards!"

"Ye may trust me, Sir Mooray," said McCray, gruffly; and setting off at
a smart canter, they were soon nearing the village street.

The storm had by this time passed over, and the stars were blinking out
here and there; but from every tree and leaf the great drops fell
pattering down, while ditch and channel ran furiously with their
unwonted muddy currents.

"Go into that public-house, and ask what conveyances have gone out from
there to-day--this afternoon?" said Sir Murray.

McCray returned in five minutes, followed by the inquisitive Chunt.

"Good evening, Sir Murray," he said, hat in hand, and not seeing the
frown upon the baronet's countenance. "I've been telling your man, Sir
Murray, nothing's gone but the dog-cart as Cap'en Norton came and had
out. Carried his bag over, sir, and wouldn't wait for a man to bring
the car back; said he'd drive himself, and leave it at `The Chequers,'
at Marshton, Sir Murray."

The mud from the horse's hoofs was splashed in Chunt's face as he
finished, for Sir Murray stuck in the spurs so, that the poor brute
plunged furiously; and it was all that McCray--not the best of
horsemen--could do to overtake him, as he galloped along the main road
to Marshton, where they arrived about ten, with their horses blown, and
covered with foam, Sir Murray, who had not spoken, leading the way into
the inn-yard.

"Chunt's dog-car, sir? Brought in here about five, sir, by a boy as a
gent gave sixpence to bring it in, sir. Tall gent, with a mark across
his face, sir," the boy said.

So spake "The C