'worse to come' was distressingly fulfilled.

As the 'evening' advanced, it improved out of all knowledge. The later
the hour, the hotter became the fun. Berry's ill humour fell away.
Adele and I danced furiously together. Vain things were imagined and
found diverting. Hospitality was dispensed. The two spare 'baubles'
were reinforced....

Not until half-past two was the tambourine of gaiety suffered to tumble
in its tracks.

We climbed into the cars flushed and hilarious....

Late though we were, whenever we had been dancing there was one member
of the household who always looked for our return and met us upon our
threshold.

Nobby.

However silently the cars stole up the drive, by the time the door was
opened, always the Sealyham was on parade, his small feet together, his
tail up, his rough little head upon one side, waiting to greet us with
an explosion of delight. In his bright eyes the rite was never stale,
never laborious. It was the way of his heart.

Naturally enough, we came to look for his welcome. Had we looked in
vain some night, we should have been concerned....

We were concerned this night.

We opened the door to find the hall empty.

Nobby was not upon parade.

Tired as we were, we searched the whole house. Presently I found a
note upon my pyjamas.

_SIR,_

_Must tell you we cannot find Nobby, the chauffeur and me looking
everywhere and Fitch as been out in Pau all evening in quest. Hoping
his whereabouts is perhaps known to you,_

_Yours respectfully,
J. FALCON._

I was at the Villa Buichi the following morning by a quarter to ten.

It seemed just possible that the terrier was there a captive. That he
was with us before we visited the house we well remembered. Whether he
had entered with us and, if so, left when we did, we could not be sure.
We had had much to think about....

The caretaker took an unconscionable time to answer the bell, and when
I had stated my business, stoutly refused to let me search the villa
without an order. My offer of money was offensively refused. I had to
content myself with standing within the hall and whistling as loud as I
could. No bark replied, but I was not satisfied, and determined to
seek the agent and obtain a permit, the moment that Susan and I had
'done' the Chateau.

It was in some irritation that I made my way to the Boulevard. I had
no desire to see the inside of the Chateau then or at any time; I
particular