The Knave of Diamonds

kill. The brute had eluded them, profiting by the downpour that had washed away the scent. So Sir Giles, having solaced himself several times with neat brandy from the large silver flask withou

it were she, she was later in returning than was her wont, but no answer came back to him, and he did not repeat his call. After all, why should he hail her? He did not want her company, Heaven knew. That stately demeanour of hers

at glanced and flashed like fireflies whichever way he looked. He rubbed his eyes and they departed, only to swarm ag

distance in front. They seemed to fall unevenly, as though the animal were lame. Could it be the grey, he asked himself? If so, why had Anne not answered his call? She m

eemed to quicken into a shambling trot, that wa

those leaping points of light; but it was only here and there. Whenever he focussed his attention upon them they eluded him. For these also he held his wife in some fashion responsible. What did she mean by leaving h

the dripping darkness his wife's face. Pale and pure as the face of a saint, it shone before him like a star. There was

less, unspeakable dread. The curses died

and the drenching rain; alone with a little gibing voice that seemed to come from within and yet was surely the

he rode heavily into

are of lights dazzled him, but he fancied they looked at him strangely

taring at? What

ed something u

owled around. His limbs wer

e growled. "You look like a crowd o

he centre of the yard, standing huddled on three legs, was the grey horse his wife had ridden. Limp and draggled, plastered

ed Sir Giles again. "

s silence. Then old Dimsdale, the butler, who was standing in the door

come home alon

hundered

with respectful firmne

le agi

, with a certain deferential obstin

st beginning to wonder when he came limping in in this

his surmisings to an abrupt end. Then, having worked off

e done? I never saw her

at be, Sir Giles?"

d way. It wa

Shall we send and make

Gi

ed if I do!"

her ladyship riding with anyon

Stay! I believe I saw t

as here the other da

ng again-"I won't have

I won't, a

, Sir Giles. You can't leave her lady ship to die u

oking straight into his master

. Errol will be able to give us a clue, and we can't leave any stone unturned, being such a

The old butler's temerity was unheard of. Not one among them would have dared thus to withstan

on his own account, however, it was not apparent. Nor did he display any relief w

ools! Get to your work! Better send for the vet. Can't afford to have a valuable animal spoilt. Dimsd

leaving an atmosphere of mingled

and sat with eyes fixed sullenly before him. He ought to go in search of her, of course, but he was powerless. His brain was a smouldering furnace in which an

d. Someone knocked discreetly. He heard, but he took no

news, S

him nor spoke. He continued

he said, speaking very distinctly. "Her ladyship has had a fall, and has been taken there. Mr. E

r Giles said n

er is waitin

esponse of

very respectfully he bent and

Gil

t it seemed. He glowered at Dimsdale for a space. T

essenger,

uldering furnace leapt into sudden seething flame. "Tell him to go to the devil

he dropped back into his former position, st

rned he was sunk i