Violet Lisle — page 59: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

IN PURSUIT, 53 “Lord Darlington went to his rooms at once on return- ing, did he not, Haskins?” “T don’t think he’s returned, your ladyship.” “Oh, yes, I heard his horse about ten o’clock.” “It was one of the village boys brought that, my lady, Tam quite sure. I suppose he brought a message, too.” Lady Darlington started up in alarm, but instantly com- posed herself, and said, in her quietest tone: “The groom must have forgotten the message. Send— no, go yourself, Haskins, and find out about it.” ‘So Haskins, with an inkling that something was wrong at the castle, hastened out to the stables and roused one of the grooms to inquire about the horse and the message. “There weren’t no message,” said the groom, sulky at being roused from a sound sleep. “You didn’t take the horse and let the boy go without a word, did you?” demanded Haskins, with the sharpness of one who is near enough to the throne to assume some authority. | _ “Tain’t a fool, am 12” growled the groom. ~ “Iam notso sure about that,” said Haskins, amiabiy. _ “What did the boy say ?” * “Lord Darlington’s hoss,’ said he. ‘How come you by it?? says I. ‘His lordship give it to me to bring home,’ all right,’ said he. An’ that’s all there was of it.” And with this circumstantial account of the conversga- tion the groom looked triumphant. “You ninny!” exclaimed Haskins, scornfully. “No ‘Message, excepting it’s all right. What is that but a and bewildered, she returned to her mistress and made her report. _ lady Darlington listened with vague alarm, and said, quickly : ee See Robert, and ascertain if his master has returned yet. Haskins returned after a considerable absence. “Robert has gone to Houghton, my lady. Lord Dar- lington said he would not need him to-night.” Quickly as a flash it came into Lady Darlington’s mind that that could only mean that Guy had not intended to return home. . “See if Lord Darlington has come home. Go to his Teoms yourself.” ' said he. ‘What message?’ saysI. ‘None exceptin’ it’s message, I’d like to know?” and leaving the man crushed | _ “TI have been, my lady, and knocked. but did not-neceive