Altogether, I was in a very confident mood as I drove from the station to my house, and jubilant in my anticipation of Althea’s delight at the good news I could give her about her father.
But instead of having to deliver good news I had to receive bad--the worst indeed. The servants were alone in the house and on the point of leaving it; and I found Ellen sitting disconsolately in the hall, her eyes red with weeping, dressed in her hat and jacket ready to go.
"What is the matter? Where is Fräulein von Ringheim?"
"She has gone, sir. There has been such trouble here. We had the police looking for you, and they searched the house from top to bottom," she wailed, her words interspersed with sobs. "Cook has packed, sir; and I can’t stay, if you please."
"Very well, but before you go, try and tell me something more definite."
She fumbled in her pocket and brought out a telegram. "The Fräulein opened it, sir: I didn’t; and she told me I must get it to you as it was very important."
It was from Bessie and announced her safe arrival in Brussels with "everything." This was one piece of good news at any rate.
"Now, Ellen," I said, turning to question her, "of course you must go away if you wish, and I shouldn’t think of stopping you. But I assure you the whole businesss is a mistake somewhere, and you do not run the faintest risk in staying here. Martha has not gone yet?" This was the cook.
"Well, while I change and look round, go and tell her to see me before she leaves."
"But the police told us both to go, sir."
"I’m not at all sure that you’ve had the police here at all. Did the Fräulein go away with them, whoever they were?"
"No, sir. Herr von Felsen was here and was with her when the men were turning the place upside down. You never saw such a mess as they’ve made of things."
"Never mind the mess. Did he come with them?"
"Just before them, He was very excited and said they were coming."
"And when did he leave? Did the Fräulein go with him?"
It was just four o’clock. If I had not had to wait for that train, I should have been in time to take a hand in the business.
"I am quite convinced from your answers that these men were not police, Ellen; but tell me were any of them the men who were watching the house yesterday?"