"Empty," repeated Mrs. Hammond. "The bed hadn't been slept in; her boxes were open, and some of the things had been taken out; while on the dressing-table was this note addressed to me." She handed a small slip of paper to Sir Charles, who opened it and read aloud: "You will never see me again. Search for me will be useless. "R. G." "Yes," said Mrs. Hammond, "she's gone. 'Search for me will be useless.' So provoking too; just the sort of person one liked to have about one; and I had got quite accustomed to her and all that. 'Never see me again;' I declare it's horribly annoying. Now, Sir Charles, I want to ask your advice: what would you do? Would you have people sent after her in all directions, eh?" "Well, 'pon my word, I don't see how you can do that," said Sir Charles. "She hasn't taken anything of yours, I suppose,--no, of course not,--so, you see, she has a right to go away when she likes. Needn't give a month's warning, eh?" "Right to go away! Well, I don't know,--I suppose she has--and I suppose I haven't any right to stop her; but it is annoying; and yet it's highly ridiculous, isn't it?" "What on earth can have driven her away? Nobody rude to her, I should think; she wasn't that sort of person. Well, I won't bore you any more now about it, particularly as you're busy. We shall meet at luncheon, and then we can talk further over this unpleasant affair." And with a smile to Sir Charles, and another slight bow to Mr. Effingham, she left the room. "Well, you certainly have done your work excellently, Mr. Effingham," said Sir Charles, as soon as the door had closed; "in the most masterly manner!" "Yes, it ain't bad, I think," said Mr. Effingham, with a ghastly attempt at a grin; "I told you it was all square." "Yes; but I had no notion it would come about so quickly." "Why, I hadn't half time to tell you about it. However, there it is, done, cut, and dried,--all finished except the payment; and I'm ready for that whenever you like." "Our agreement was, that the cheque was to be sent to London, to an address which you gave me--" "Yes, but as I'm here, I may as well take it myself. You haven't got it in notes or gold, have you? It would be handier." "No, not sufficient; but they would change my cheque at the bank in Torquay, I've no doubt." "No, thank you, never mind, it ain't worth the trouble. I shall have to go to town, I suppose, and I shan't want it till I get there--that is, if you can lend me a couple of sovereigns just to help me on my way. Thank you; much obliged. Now, you've got my address, and you know where to find me when you want me; and you may depend on not seein' me for a very long time. Good morning to you." He took the cheque and the sovereigns and put them in his waistcoat-pocket, made a clumsy bow, and was gone. Then Sir Charles Mitford rose from his chair and walked to the window, radiant with delight. It was all clear before him now; the incubus was removed, and he was free to carry out his projects.