She turned, and with an exclamation of pleasure started up to meet him. “Oh, Dick I am so glad you have come back! What news? How did it all end?” she breathlessly inquired as she threw herself into his arms. “In two words—not fatally,” he answered as he embraced her. “Thank Heaven for that! You were in time, then?” “No, not in time to prevent the meeting. It had taken place a few minutes before our arrival at St. Aubins. By the way, it was not to Guernsey, but to Jersey, that the duelists went. We found out the mistake in the telegram as soon as we reached Southampton. We were fortunate in being able to hire a yacht and pursue them to St. Aubins.” “But you did not reach there in time to prevent the duel?” “No, it had already taken place, as I told you.” “But with what result—with what result? Oh, Dick, why can’t you speak and tell me?” “My dear, I did tell you,—with no fatal result.” “But with a serious one. Oh, Dick, what was it? Has poor Alick got himself into trouble by——shooting that Austrian acrobat?” “No, nonsense! Have more respect for a prince than to call him an acrobat, if he does jump about when he is angered. He was not hurt—he was not touched. Alick was too much excited to aim steadily, I suppose, so his ball went—Heaven knows where. But——” “But Alick himself,—was he wounded?” “Alick was wounded in the chest by a ball and in the back of the head by a sharp stone upon which his head struck in falling. Neither of the wounds is considered dangerous. I left him in good hands in the St. Aubins hotel.” “But my grandfather—where is he? Why doesn’t he come up? Of course he returned with you?” “No, he remained in St. Aubins to look after Alick.” “Oh, Dick he remained there! Then he never received our telegram!” said Anna, turning pale. “Your telegram! No! What telegram? We received none. What has happened, Anna?” demanded Richard Hammond, becoming alarmed. “Oh, Dick, I thought you knew,” cried Anna dropping into a chair and bursting into tears. “In the name of Heaven what has happened? You are well. But where is Drusilla? Where is little Lenny? I don’t see either of them!” “Oh Dick! Dick! little Lenny is—LOST,” replied Anna, uttering the last word with a gasp, and sobbing hysterically. “Lost! Good Heaven, Anna, little Lenny lost?” repeated Dick, changing color. “Yes, yes, yes! lost since day before yesterday afternoon—lost since the very day you left. We telegraphed to you the same day. We hoped you would receive the telegram immediately on your arrival at Southampton; and I who knew that you were going further, hoped that at least you would get it on your return. Oh, Dick!” “Lost since the day before yesterday, and not found yet,” repeated Richard Hammond, in amazement and sorrow. “Oh, yes, oh, Dick. We have not seen him since—since _you_ yourself saw him last. Oh, Dick, he never returned from that walk you and grandpa sent him to take, to get him and Pina out of the way, you know,” sobbed Anna.