When he had mentioned the missing note, Carruthers
very properly became grave. He was a short, stiffly built man with
a round, good-humoured, rather florid face.
"The matter must be probed at once, sir," he ventured. "We know
that we move in a tangle of intrigues and espionage. But such a
thing as this has never happened before. Have you anything to go
upon?"
"Captain Stanhope gave us nothing," said the adjutant.
"It would be best perhaps to get Grant to look into it," said
Tremayne.
"If he is still in Lisbon," said Sir Terence.
"I passed him in the street an hour ago," replied Carruthers.
"Then by all means let a note be sent to him asking him if he will
step up to Monsanto as soon as he conveniently can. You might see
to it, Tremayne."
CHAPTER X
THE STIFLED QUARREL
It was noon of the next day before Colonel Grant came to the house
at Monsanto from whose balcony floated the British flag, and before
whose portals stood a sentry in the tall bearskin of the grenadiers.
He found the adjutant alone in his room, and apologised for the
delay in responding to his invitation, pleading the urgency of other
matters that he had in hand.
"A wise enactment this of Lord Wellington's," was his next comment.
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