"Then I am sure you will excuse me an I do not appear. I have other, more important affairs on hand. . . . . But I shall be loth to miss the heroics," he added pensively, and chuckled. "Au revoir, my good Richard!"
Richard bowed him out thankfully.
Presently the front door opened and shut again, and looking out of the window he saw that Captain Harold Lovelace had taken his departure.
He was now awaiting Mr. Warburton, whom he had sent in search of John some days ago. He should have been here by now, he thought, but perhaps he had been detained. Richard was aching to hear news of his brother, longing to see him once more. But at the same time he was dreading the meeting; he shrank from the thought of looking into Jack's eyes, cold-even scornful. It was not possible, so he reasoned, that Jack should feel no resentment. . . .
"Mr. Warburton, sir."
Carstares turned and came eagerly forward to greet the newcomer.
"Well? Well?"
Mr. Warburton spread out deprecating hands.
"Alas! Mr. Carstares."
Richard caught his arm.
"What mean you? He is not-dead?"
"I do not know, sir."
"You could not find him? Quick! Tell me?"
"Alas! no, sir."
"But the Chequers-he said- Surely they knew something?"
"Nought, Mr. Carstares." Out came Mr. Warburton's snuff-box. Very deliberately he took a pinch, shaking the remains from his fingertips. "The host, Chadber-an honest man, though lacking in humour-has not set eyes on my lord for well-nigh six months. Not since I went to advise my lord of the Earl's death."
"But, Warburton, he cannot be far? He is not dead! Oh, surely not that?"
"No, no, Master Dick," soothed the lawyer. "We should have heard of it had he been killed. I fear he has gone abroad once more. It seems he often spoke of travelling again."
"Abroad? God! don't let me lose him again!" He sank into a chair, his head in his arms.
"Tut! I implore you, Mr. Carstares! Do not despair yet. We have no proof that he has left the country. I daresay we shall find him almost at once. Chadber thinks it likely he will visit the inn again ere long. Calm yourself, Master Dick!" He walked up to the man and laid a hand on one heaving shoulder. "We shall find him, never fear! But do not-I know 'twould grieve him to see you so upset, Master Dick-pray, do not-!"
"If I could only make amends!" groaned Richard.
"Well, sir, are you not about to? He would not wish you to distress yourself like this! He was so fond of you! Pray, pray do not!"