He went through the woods and down the high-road, but there was no sign
of the earl. "He must have walked home by another route," thought Lord
Arleigh; and he went back to Beechgrove. He did not find the earl there,
but the groom, who had evidently been riding fast, was waiting for him
in the hall.
"My lord," he said, "I was directed to give you this at once, and beg of
you not to lose a moment's time."
Wondering what had happened, Lord Arleigh opened the note and read:
"My Dear Lord Arleigh: Something too wonderful for me to set down
in words has happened. I am at the Dower House, Winiston. Come at
once, and lose no time.
Mountdean."
"At the Dower House?" mused Lord Arleigh. "What can it mean?"
"Did the Earl of Mountdean send this himself?" he said to the man.
"Yes, my lord. He bade me ride as though for life, and ask your lordship
to hurry in the same way."
"Is he hurt? Has there been any accident?"
"I have heard of no accident, my lord; but, when the earl came to give
me the note, he looked wild and unsettled."
Lord Arleigh gave orders that his fleetest horse should be saddled at
once, and then he rode away.
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