"You needn't be, Major, on that score at least. Please remember that I asked for a couple of grooms to be stationed on the moor. I gave them their orders and then went on to Farrow's cottage alone. If they have followed out those orders we shall soon see." Here he stepped to the door of the stable, put his two forefingers between his lips and whistled shrilly. In half a minute more the two grooms came into the stable, and between them the gallant captain, tousled and rather dirty, and with his beautiful hair and moustache awry. "Got him, my lads, I see," said Cleek. "Yes, sir. Nabbed him sneakin' out the back way like you thought he would, sir, and bein' as you said it was the major's orders, we copped him on the jump and have been holdin' of him for further orders ever since." "Well, you can let him go now," said Cleek, serenely. "And just give your attention to locking the door and lighting up. Major, Doctor, Mr. Narkom, pray be seated. The dear captain is going to give you all a little entertainment and the performance is about to begin. As good with your fists as you are with a metal-headed hunting crop, Captain?" "None of your dashed business what I'm good at," replied the captain. "Look here, Norcross----" "You cut that at once!" roared the major. "If you open your head to me, I'll bang it off you, you brute." "Well, then you, Mr. Policeman----" "Ready for you in a minute, Captain; don't get impatient," said Cleek, as he laid aside his coat and began to roll up his sleeves. "Rome wasn't built in a day--though beauty may be wrecked in a minute. You'll have the time of your life this evening. You are really too beautiful to live, Captain, and I'm going to come as near to killing you as I know how without actually completing the job. You see, that poor little Highland lassie hasn't a father or brother to do this business for her, so she's kindly consented to my taking it on in her behalf. I'm afraid I shall break that lovely nose of yours, my gay gallant--and I don't give a damn if I do! A brute that spoils a woman's life deserves to go through the world with a mark to record it, and I'm going to put one on you to the best of my ability. All seated, gentlemen? Right you are. Now then, Captain, come on. Come on--you _swine_!" * * * * * It was twenty minutes later. Lady Mary Norcross--deep in the obligatory business of dressing for dinner--had just taken up a powder puff and was assiduously dabbing the back of her neck, when the door behind her opened softly and the voice of her liege lord travelled across the breadth of the room, saying: "Mary! May I come in a minute, dear? I just want to get my cheque book out of your writing desk--that's all." "Yes, certainly. Come in by all means," gave back her ladyship. "I'm quite alone. Springer has finished with me, and oh! Good heavens! Seton! My dear, my _dear_!"