"I think her ladyship must have gone out. Her cape and motor-cap have
gone."
In an instant it was evident that having destroyed her private papers
she had slipped out into the park unseen.
I rushed downstairs, and finding Keene in the smoking-room took him
quickly out into the hall, and told him of my grave apprehensions,
whereupon he was in an instant on the alert.
"She surely cannot have carried out her threat!" he gasped. "We must
try to find her at once. Not an instant must be lost! The burning of
her papers is sufficient proof of the fatal step she contemplated.
Come, let's go in search at once."
And breathlessly, fearing the worst, we took our caps and hurried out
into the chill windy night.