For no man or woman in my service ever dares
to disobey an order I have given."
"Chief..." Desmond broke in, but again that inexorable voice
interposed.
"I will hear nothing from you," said the Chief, "it is a rule of
mine never to interfere with my men in their work or to see them
until their mission has been successfully completed. When you
have found Miss Mackwayte I will hear you but not before!"
Desmond drew himself up.
"In that case, sir," he said stiffly, "I will bid you good
morning. And I trust you will hear from me very soon again!"
He walked over to one of the cars waiting outside the inn, spoke
a word to the driver and got in. The driver started the engine
and presently the car was bumping slowly along the muddy track to
the main road.
The Chief stood looking after him.
"Well," he murmured to himself. "I soaked it into him pretty
hard; but he took it like a brick. I do believe he'll find her
yet!"
He shook his head sagely and continued on hid way across the
yard.
CHAPTER XXIII. MRS. MALPLAQUET GOES DOWN TO THE CELLAR
In the age of chivalry woman must have been built of sterner
stuff than the girl of to-day. At least, we read in medieval
romance of fair ladies who, after being knocked down by a
masterful suitor and carried off across his saddle bow thirty or
forty miles, are yet able to appear, cold but radiantly
beautiful, at the midnight wedding and the subsequent marriage
feast.
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