uld not be, for doubtless
she had forgotten all about the stuff by now, even if it were not lost.

The end of it was that as I did not wish to write a long letter entering
into all that Lady Ragnall had told me, I sent her a telegram, saying
that if convenient to her, I would arrive at the Castle on the following
Saturday evening and adding that I must be back here on the Tuesday
afternoon, as I had guests coming to stay with me on that day. This
was perfectly true as the season was mid-November and I was to begin
shooting my coverts on the Wednesday morning, a function that once
fixed, cannot be postponed.

In due course an answer arrived--"Delighted, but hoped that you would
have been able to stay longer."

Behold me then about six o'clock on the said Saturday evening being once
more whirled by a splendid pair of horses through the gateway arch of
Ragnall Castle. The carriage stopped beneath the portico, the great
doors flew open revealing the glow of the hall fire and lights within,
the footman sprang down from the box and two other footmen descended
the steps to assist me and my belongings out of the carriage. These,
I remember, consisted of a handbag with my dress clothes and a
yellow-backed novel.

So one of them took the handbag and the other had to content himself
with the novel, which made me wish I had brought a portmanteau as well,
if only for the look of the thing. The pair thus burdened, escorted me
up the steps and delivered me over to the butler who scanned me with a
critical eye. I scanned him also and perceived that he was a very fine
specimen of his class. Indeed his stately presence so overcame me that
I remarked nervously, as he helped me off with my coat, that when last I
was here another had filled his office.

"Indeed, Sir," he said, "and what was his name, Sir?"

"Savage," I replied.

"And where might he be now, Sir?"

"Inside a snake!" I answered. "At least he was inside a snake but now I
hope he is waiting upon his master in Heaven."

The man recoiled a little, pulling off my coat with a jerk. Then he
coughed, rubbed his bald head, stared and recovering himself with an
effort, said,

"Indeed, Sir! I only came to this place after the death of his late
lordship, when her ladyship changed all the household. Alfred, show
this gentleman up to her ladyship's boudoir, and William, take
his--baggage--to the blue room. Her ladyship wishes to see you at once,
Sir, before the others come.