One Maid's Mischief Part 46

"Talking to Rosebury, and before then she was with Hilton. I fancy they were having words. Well, perhaps I ought hardly to say that; but Hilton was certainly remonstrating angrily."

"When was that?"

"Half-past ten or eleven; I cannot say for certain."

"Let us go and see Hilton," said Mr Perowne; "but stay. Am I to believe you, Harley?"

"As you please, Mr Perowne," said the Resident, with dignity. "Why should you doubt my word?"

"I do not doubt it!" cried Mr Perowne, catching his hand. "Pity me, Harley. I seem cold and strange; but I love that girl, and she is gone."

He gasped painfully as he spoke, but smiled sadly directly after as the Resident warmly grasped his hand.

"One minute," said the Resident; and hastily adding something to his clothing, he joined his visitor again, and the two sallied forth into the still, hot night, to make their way to the little fort, which was stronghold and barracks in one.

Here they were challenged by another sentry, for, peaceful times as they were, the military arrangements were always kept upon the sternest war footing.

"We want to see Captain Hilton," said Mr Harley, in his quick, commanding way.

"Captain's ash.o.r.e, sir. He went to Mr Perowne's party."

"Yes, yes," said that gentleman; "we know: but he has come back."

"No, sir; not while I've been on guard--three hours, sir."

"Call the sergeant," said Mr Harley, sharply.

He needed no calling, for, hearing voices, he had come out to see who came so late.

"Where is Captain Hilton?"

"I thought he was stopping to sleep at Mr Perowne's, sir," said the sergeant, saluting. "Hasn't been back. Beg pardon, sir; didn't see it was Mr Perowne."

"But he left my house hours ago," said that gentleman.

"Gone to stay at Dr Bolter's, perhaps, sir," suggested the sergeant.

"Are you sure he did not return while your back was turned?" said Mr Harley.

"Quite sure, sir. Still, he might, sir; it's no use to be too sure.

Like to go to his quarters, sir?"

"Yes, we'll go in," said the Resident, quickly; and following the sergeant, after exchanging glances, the two gentlemen entered Hilton's room.

The bed had not been pressed, and everything was in order, just as the regimental servant had placed it after his master had dressed to attend the evening _fete_.

"Mr Chumbley hasn't come back neither," said the sergeant.

"Not come back!" said the Resident, wondering. "This is strange. I don't know, though. They have gone to smoke a cigar with someone, and then decided to stay all night."

Mr Perowne shook his head, and the Resident felt that his explanation was not good, and both were silent as they walked back towards the entrance of the fort.

"What does this mean?" said Mr Perowne, at last.

"Can't say yet," replied the Resident, sharply. "Sergeant, have a look round, and make sure that Captain Hilton and Mr Chumbley have not come back."

"Yes, sir, I'll look round," said the sergeant; "but they couldn't have landed without the sentries knowing."

"Go and see," said the Resident, sternly; and the sergeant saluted and walked away.

"They must be staying somewhere," said the Resident, who suffered from the desire to keep back the question that so agitated his breast.

"Depend upon it, they have gone to the doctor's to smoke a cigar."

He felt as he spoke that this was impossible; for he was sure that the hours kept at the doctor's were too regular for such a relapse.

"And my daughter?" said Mr Perowne, in a cold, stern voice.

"I'll have the men out to search if it is necessary," said the Resident, eagerly; "but before we proceed to such an extreme measure, had we not better make more inquiries? Yours is a large house and grounds. She may be back by now."

Neil Harley felt a strange choking sensation as he spoke, and he knew that his words were weak; but he clung to the hope that there was some mistake, and that Helen was by now safely at home.

"She may," said Mr Perowne, bitterly. "But it seems to me that there is some trick here. I gave you the credit of it at first."

"Am I a man so wanting in respect for Helen that I should insult her and you?"

"I--I can't help it, Harley!" groaned the father. "There seems to be no end to my troubles!"

The Resident looked at him sharply, for that evening he had seemed all life and gaiety.

"Yes, you may look!" groaned the unhappy man; "but everything goes wrong with me. There is, I am sure, some planned affair here; and I believe that Hilton is at the bottom of it."

"Do not be so ready to condemn, Perowne," said the Resident, quickly.

"I feel sure that Hilton would be guilty of no rash, foolish escapade like this. It is absurd! Good heavens, man! do you think that Helen would degrade herself by eloping? I will not believe it!"

"I wish I could feel you were right," groaned the unhappy father.

"Why Chumbley is away too. It is like saying that he is implicated."

"He is Hilton's chosen companion," said Mr Perowne, sadly.

"Tut, man; we shall have to look farther afield than that."

"Then why are they not here to speak for themselves?" cried Mr Perowne, in a querulous, excited way. "Hilton has been constantly hanging about my place a great deal more than Helen liked, and she showed it to-night by completely turning her back upon him."

"But surely you do not think that Hilton--" began the Resident.

"I do not think anything," said Mr Perowne, angrily. "But here is the fact before us: my daughter is missing, and Captain Hilton has not returned to his quarters."