"Hope he didn't hurt you.
He didn't mean it really;" and I could see that the Earl could hardly contain himself in his rage.
Then, suddenly muttering something about "bounders" and "cads," he forced his way through and hurried off, shouting his parting instructions to us to join him as soon as possible at the Hotel Hautecombe on the hill.
We followed quickly, and were ushered at once into his private apartment.
It was essential to confer and decide upon some plan of action; but when I asked him what he proposed to do next, he received my harmless request with a storm of invective and reproach.
"You miserable and incompetent fools!
Don't expect me to tell you your business.
Why do I pay you?
Why indeed?
Nothing you have done has been of the very slightest use; on the contrary, through your beastly mismanagement I have been dragged into this degrading position, held up to ridicule and contempt before all the world.
And with it all, the whole thing has failed.
I sent you out to recover my child, and what have you done?
What has become of that abominable woman who stole it from under your very noses?
Blackguards!
Bunglers!
Idiots!
Fat-headed asses!"
"Nay, my lord," pleaded Tiler humbly, for I confess I was so much annoyed by this undeserved reprimand I could not bring myself to speak civilly. "I think I can assure your lordship that matters will soon mend.
The situation is not hopeless, believe me.
You may rely on us to regain touch with the fugitives without delay.
I have a clue, and with your lordship's permission will follow it at once."
I saw clearly that he was set upon the absurd notion he had conceived that the lady had gone westward, and I felt it my duty to warn the Earl not to be misled by Tiler.
"There is nothing in his clue, my lord.
It is pure assumption, without any good evidence to support it."
"Let me hear this precious clue," said his lordship. "I will decide what it is worth."
Then Tiler propounded his theory.
"It might be good enough," I interjected, "if I did not know the exact contrary.
The lady with her party was seen going in exactly the opposite direction.
I know it for a fact."
"And I am equally positive of what I saw," said Tiler.
His lordship looked from one to the other, plainly perplexed and with increasing anger.
"By the Lord Harry, it's pleasant to be served by a couple of such useless creatures who differ so entirely in their views that they cannot agree upon a common plan of action.
How can I decide as to the best course if you give me no help?"
"Perhaps your lordship will allow me to make a suggestion?" I said gravely, and I flatter myself with some dignity, for I wished to show I was not pleased with the way he treated us. "Whether the lady has gone north or south, east or west, may be uncertain; and although I am satisfied in my own mind as to the direction she took, I am willing to await further developments before embarking on any further chase.
To my mind the best clue, the real, the only clue, lies here, in our very hands.
If we have only a little patience, this Colonel Annesley will act as a sign-post."
"You think that some communication will reach him from the fugitives?"
"Most decidedly I do.
I firmly believe that the lady relies upon him greatly, and will in all probability call him to her, or if not that she will wish to let him know how she has got on."
For the first time in this unpleasant interview his lordship looked at me approvingly.
He quite changed his tone and dropped his aggressive manner.
"I believe you are entirely right, Falfani, and cordially agree with your suggestion," he said with great heartiness. "Let it be adopted at once.
Take immediate steps, if you please, to set a close watch on this pestilent villain Annesley; keep him continually under your eye."
"We've got to find him first," objected Tiler gruffly and despondently.
"It ought not to be difficult, seeing that he was here half an hour ago, and we can hunt up l'Echelle, who will surely know, and who I have reason to hope is on our side."
"Do it one way or another.
I look to you for that, and let me know the result without loss of time.
Then we will confer again and arrange further.
Leave me now."
I accepted my dismissal and moved towards the door, but Tiler hung behind, and I heard him say timidly: