He glanced significantly at the desk drawer and thence to Themar's dark, unscrupulous face, resentful and defiant.
"Now as for the cryptogram which tempted you so sorely," went on the Baron smoothly. "Its chief mission, as I have repeatedly assured you, was to convert my journey of pleasure in America into one of immediate--hum--service. I have spoken to you of a certain paper--"
"Merely," smiled the Baron with engaging candor, "that you are fully equipped with definite instructions which I am to see are fulfilled."
"I--I learned of her and of the cipher in Houdania!" stammered Themar.
"You know something more of detail than you need to know," said the Baron dryly. "Moreover," he added icily, "you will confine your professional attentions to the other sex. You are sure about the paper?"
"Your trip to New York last night was--hum--uneventful?"
"It is unnecessary. Granberry is at the Westfall farm."
"But, Excellency," reminded Themar glibly, "there is still the girl--" Deep, compelling, Tregar's eyes burned steadily into menace.
"Excellency," stammered Themar blanching.
There had been no word of the scribbled cuff, Themar remembered. And surely one may steal away one's own.
The sun had set. Back from his flight over the hills with Sherrill, Philip had bathed and shaved, whistling thoughtfully to himself. Now as he descended the steep Sherrill lane to the valley, ravine and hollow were already dark with twilight. From the rustling trees arching the lane overhead came the occasional sleepy chirp and flutter of a bird. Off somewhere in the gathering dusk a lonely owl hooted eerily. Still there was storm in the warm, sweet air to-night and back yonder over the hills to the north, the sky brightened fitfully with lightning.
Slipping his hand carelessly into his coat pocket for a pipe, Philip laughed.
"My Lord!" said he lightly. "The hieroglyphical cuff! I should have given that to the Baron. . . . Themar," added Philip, packing his pipe, "is an infernal bounder!"
Diane's camp lay barely two miles to the west. Homing at sunset Philip had veered and circled over it. Now as he turned westward toward the river, the nature of his errand chafed him sorely.
"Nor can I see," mused Philip, puffing uncomfortably at his pipe, "why in the devil he wants to know!"