The Duke assented thoughtfully. "I will bear it in mind," he said. "I think it is a questionable policy." "In any event I am sure that your Grace's prudence will steer the matter to a safe issue," Lord Marlborough answered in his courtliest fashion. "I thank Heaven that you are here in this emergency, and not Portland or Auverquerque, who see a foe to the King in every Englishman." "I should be sorry to see any but an Englishman in the Secretary's office," the Duke said, with a little heat. "And yet that is what we have to expect," Lord Marlborough answered placidly. "But we are detaining your Grace. Come, my lord, we must be going. I suppose that Sir John is not taken?" "Sir John Fenwick?" "Yes." "It has not been reported." With that the two noblemen took a formal farewell, and the Duke begging them to go out by his private door that they might avoid the press in the hall, they were crossing the room in that direction, when a sudden hubbub arose outside and a cry of alarm, and before they had more than raised their eyebrows, asking one another politely what it meant, the door beside which I stood was opened, and a gentleman came in. He looked with a flustered face at the Duke. "Your Grace's pardon," he said hurriedly. "One of the prisoners has escaped!" "Escaped!" said the Duke. "How?" "The woman has somehow slipped away. Through the crowd it is believed, your Grace. The messenger----" But at that moment the unfortunate official himself appeared in the doorway, looking scared out of his life, "What is this?" said the Duke sharply. The man whimpered. "'Fore God it is not my fault," he cried. "She never passed through the door! May I die if she did, your Grace." "She may be still in the hall?" "We have searched it through and through!" the man answered desperately. "It remains only to search the house, your Grace--with your permission." "What!" the Duke cried, really or apparently startled. "Why the house?" "She must have slipped into the house, for she never went out!" the man answered doggedly. "She never went out!" The Duke shrugged his shoulders and turned to Lord Marlborough. "What do you think?" said he. The Earl raised his eyebrows. By this time half the concourse in the hall had pressed to the doorway, and were staring into the room. "Call Martin," said the Duke. "And stand back there a little, if you please," he continued haughtily. "This is no public court, but my house, good people." It seemed to me--but I, behind the door, was in a boundless fright--that the steward would never come. He did come at last, and pushing his way through the crowd, presented himself with a bustling confidence that failed to hide his apprehensions. Nor was the Duke's reception of him calculated to set him at his ease.