"Pardon me," interposed Mr. Werner, "but you will do no such thing. It is not with any good-will of mine that Mr. Mortomley is my guest, but since he is my guest he shall not be treated by you or anybody else like a criminal. If he choose to see you he can do so, if he do not choose you shall not see him." "Do you dare say that to me?" asked Mr. Forde. "Yes," was the reply, "and if you speak in that tone to me, I shall say a good deal more which you may not like to hear." "Now--now--now--Werner," interposed Kleinwort, "you are always so much in too great haste. He meant it not. He would not order about in your house for ten thousand worlds." "He had better not," Mr. Werner said, cutting short the thread of Mr. Kleinwort's eloquence, for he was indignant at being taken from his guests, and furious at the fact of Mortomley having taken shelter under his roof, and being instantly hunted there by Mr. Forde. "Williams," he continued going to the door, and addressing his butler, who was bustling about the hall, "Let Mr. Mortomley know Mr. Forde is here, and desires a few minutes' conversation with him. Now, gentlemen, _I_ must bid you good-night. Williams will bring you wine or brandy if you only tell him which you prefer." "Beg pardon, sir," interposed Williams at this juncture, "but--" "Did you not hear me tell you to let Mr. Mortomley know Mr. Forde wishes to see him?" said Mr. Werner, emphasising each word with painful distinctness. "Yes, sir, but Mr. Mortomley is gone." "Gone!" repeated Mr. Werner, while Mr. Forde remarked audibly, "I do not believe a word of it." And Kleinwort, pulling his companion's sleeve, entreated him piteously, "To be impulsive not so much." "Yes, sir, went away with Mrs. Mortomley in a cab an hour and a half ago." "Where did he go to?" asked Mr. Werner. "Don't know, sir. No orders were given to the cabman in my presence or hearing." Mr. Werner stood silent for an instant, then he said, turning to Williams, "Ask your mistress to come down here. Say I will not detain her a moment." And while the man went to do his bidding, he walked up and down the room evidently as ill at ease as his visitors. Into the room Mrs. Werner walked stately and beautiful, her rich dress rustling over the carpet, jewels sparkling on her snowy neck, amid her dark hair, and on her white arms. She started at sight of the two visitors, but quickly recovering herself, gave her hand frigidly to each in succession. "Ah! but, madam, we have no need to ask if your health be admirable," Kleinwort was beginning, when Mr. Werner interrupted his ecstacy with ruthless abruptness. "Leonora," he said, "these gentlemen want to know where Mr. and Mrs. Mortomley have gone. If it is no secret, pray inform them." "They are here," she instantly replied. "No, they are not; they left in a cab an hour ago or more. Can you imagine where they have gone?" "I cannot imagine that they have left," she answered. "You must be mistaken."