George joined the procession punctually at two o’clock, just as Keggs was clearing his throat preparatory to saying, “We are now in the main ’all, and before going any further I would like to call your attention to Sir Peter Lely’s portrait of—­” It was his custom to begin his Thursday lectures with this remark, but today it was postponed; for, no sooner had George appeared, than a breezy voice on the outskirts of the throng spoke in a tone that made competition impossible.

“For goodness’ sake, George.”

And Billie Dore detached herself from the group, a trim vision in blue.  She wore a dust-coat and a motor veil, and her eyes and cheeks were glowing from the fresh air.

“For goodness’ sake, George, what are you doing here?”

“I was just going to ask you the same thing.”

“Oh, I motored down with a boy I know.  We had a breakdown just outside the gates.  We were on our way to Brighton for lunch.  He suggested I should pass the time seeing the sights while he fixed up the sprockets or the differential gear or whatever it was.  He’s coming to pick me up when he’s through.  But, on the level, George, how do you get this way?  You sneak out of town and leave the show flat, and nobody has a notion where you are.  Why, we were thinking of advertising for you, or going to the police or something.  For all anybody knew, you might have been sandbagged or dropped in the river.”

This aspect of the matter had not occurred to George till now.  His sudden descent on Belpher had seemed to him the only natural course to pursue.  He had not realized that he would be missed, and that his absence might have caused grave inconvenience to a large number of people.

“I never thought of that.  I—­well, I just happened to come here.”

“You aren’t living in this old castle?”

“Not quite.  I’ve a cottage down the road.  I wanted a few days in the country so I rented it.”

“But what made you choose this place?”

Keggs, who had been regarding these disturbers of the peace with dignified disapproval, coughed.

“If you would not mind, madam.  We are waiting.”

“Eh?  How’s that?” Miss Dore looked up with a bright smile.  “I’m sorry.  Come along, George.  Get in the game.”  She nodded cheerfully to the butler.  “All right.  All set now.  You may fire when ready, Gridley.”

Keggs bowed austerely, and cleared his throat again.

“We are now in the main ’all, and before going any further I would like to call your attention to Sir Peter Lely’s portrait of the fifth countess.  Said by experts to be in his best manner.”

There was an almost soundless murmur from the mob, expressive of wonder and awe, like a gentle breeze rustling leaves.  Billie Dore resumed her conversation in a whisper.

“Yes, there was an awful lot of excitement when they found that you had disappeared.  They were phoning the Carlton every ten minutes trying to get you.  You see, the summertime number flopped on the second night, and they hadn’t anything to put in its place.  But it’s all right.  They took it out and sewed up the wound, and now you’d never know there had been anything wrong.  The show was ten minutes too long, anyway.”