"I shall astonish old Sutch," he thought, with a chuckle. He took the
night mail into Devonshire the same evening, and reached his home before
midday.
CHAPTER XXIII
MRS. ADAIR MAKES HER APOLOGY
Within the drawing-room at The Pool, Durrance said good-bye to Ethne. He
had so arranged it that there should be little time for that
leave-taking, and already the carriage stood at the steps of Guessens,
with his luggage strapped upon the roof and his servant waiting at the
door.
Ethne came out with him on to the terrace, where Mrs. Adair stood at the
top of the flight of steps. Durrance held out his hand to her, but she
turned to Ethne and said:--
"I want to speak to Colonel Durrance before he goes."
"Very well," said Ethne. "Then we will say good-bye here," she added to
Durrance. "You will write from Wiesbaden? Soon, please!"
"The moment I arrive," answered Durrance. He descended the steps with
Mrs. Adair, and left Ethne standing upon the terrace. The last scene of
pretence had been acted out, the months of tension and surveillance had
come to an end, and both were thankful for their release. Durrance
showed that he was glad even in the briskness of his walk, as he crossed
the lawn at Mrs.
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