“I only know,” Andrew answered, “that the brother of one of my dearest friends has disappeared from this house, after spending several days in the company of a man of bad reputation.  That is quite enough for me.  I am determined to get to the bottom of the matter.”

“It is a very little matter, after all,” the Princess said calmly.  “Perhaps—­”

She hesitated, and looked at the two other men.

“Perhaps,” she continued slowly, “it would be as well to tell you the truth.”

“If you do not, madam,” Andrew answered, “it is more than probable that I shall speedily elicit it.”

Both Forrest and Cecil seemed stricken speechless, and before they could recover themselves the Princess had commenced her story, talking with easy and convincing fluency.

“Lord Ronald,” she said, “did leave here at the time you and the Duke have been told, and Major Forrest did try to drive him in the motor to Lynn Station.  When he found that that was impossible, that they could not get the engine to go, Lord Ronald left his luggage here and walked to Wells.  That is the last we have heard of him.  He asked that his luggage should be sent to his rooms in London, and we sent it off the next day.  He left here on good terms with everybody, but he told us distinctly that the business on which he was summoned away was of a very unpleasant nature.  I think that some one was trying to blackmail him.  Now you can make what inquiries you like, but I am very certain of one thing, that anything you may discover is more likely to bring discredit upon Lord Ronald himself than anybody else.”

“Madam,” Andrew said, “your story, of course, I am bound to accept as the truth, but I must tell you frankly that I shall pass it on to the Duke, who will take up his inquiries from the point you name.  If he finds that the facts do not correspond with what you have told me, I fear that the consequences will be disagreeable for all of you.”

“Of what on earth do you suspect us?” Major Forrest asked sharply.  “Do you think that we have made away with Engleton?  Why should we?  We may be the adventurers you delicately suggest, but at least we should have an object in our crimes.  Engleton had not a ten-pound note of ready money with him.  I know that for a fact, because I lent him some money to pay his chauffeur’s wages when he sent him away.”

“You are perhaps holding some of his IOU’s?” Andrew asked.

“I certainly am,” Forrest answered, “and the sooner I hear from him the better.  If you are really the owner of this house, I shall leave to-morrow morning.”

Andrew bowed coldly.

“That,” he said, “would certainly seem to be your best course.  On the contrary,” he added, “I am not altogether sure that I am justified in letting you go.”

The Princess frowned at him indignantly.

“You talk nonsense, my dear Mr. Andrew, or Mr. Andrew de la Borne,” she said.  “If you tried to retain Major Forrest on such a cock and bull pretext, you would be probably very soon sorry for it.  Besides you have no power to do anything of the sort.”