"I left him there, I'll swear," said Linnell savagely. "No, don't let us separate; I may want you." "Quite right; and I may want you," replied Mellersh. They walked hastily round, looking in at window after window, but there was no sign of Rockley. The throng of guests were dancing, playing, or conversing, and the scene was very brilliant; but the tall, dark officer of the dragoons was the only one of his party that they could not see. "Mellersh," exclaimed Linnell suddenly, "with all my watchfulness, I seem to have failed." "Why do you say that?" "Claire!" "Claire? Why, I saw her seated on that rout-chair five minutes ago." "Yes; but she has gone." "Quick, then--down to the gate! We must see them there." "Unless they have passed through," said Linnell, with a groan. "I ought not to have left the entrance." "Don't talk," said Mellersh, almost savagely now, he seemed so moved from his ordinary calm. "I don't want to think you are right, Dick, but I begin to be suspicious at last." They hurried down to the gate, where a knot of servants were chatting, the lights from the carriage-lamps glistening in polished panels and windows, and throwing up the gay liveries of the belaced footmen waiting. "Has any one passed through here lately?" said Mellersh sharply. "No, sir," was chorused. "Not a lady and gentleman?" "No, sir--yes, about half an hour ago Colonel Lascelles and the doctor at the barracks went out together." "But no lady and gentleman separately or together?" "No, sir." "No carriage?" "No, sir," said the footman who had acted as spokesman. "Only wish they would," grumbled a coachman from his box close by the gate. "We are in time," said Mellersh, and Linnell breathed more freely as he took up a position in the shade of a great clump of evergreens just inside the gate. "Have you any plan?" said Mellersh, after a few minutes' waiting, during which time the servants, gathered in a knot, were at first quiet, as if resenting the presence of the two gentlemen. Then their conversation began again, and the watchers were forgotten. "Plan? Yes," said Linnell. "I shall take her from him, and not leave her until she is in her father's care." "Humph! That means mischief, Dick." "Yes; for him, Mellersh. I shall end by killing that man." Mellersh was silent, and the minutes glided by. "I can't bear this," said Linnell at last. "I feel as if there is something wrong--that he has succeeded in getting her away. Mellersh! man! why don't you speak? Here, come this way." Mellersh followed as his companion walked to the gate. "Is there a servant of Mrs Pontardent's here?" "Yes, sir," said a man holding a lantern, "I am." "Is there any other entrance to these grounds?" "No, sir," said the man sharply, and Linnell's heart beat with joy. "Leastwise, sir, only the garden gate." "Garden gate?" "Yes, sir; at the bottom of the broad walk." "Here--which way?"