He did not find the earl there, but the groom, who had evidently been riding fast, was waiting for him in the hall.
"My lord," he said, "I was directed to give you this at once, and beg of you not to lose a moment's time." Wondering what had happened, Lord Arleigh opened the note and read: "My Dear Lord Arleigh: Something too wonderful for me to set down in words has happened.

I am at the Dower House, Winiston.

Come at once, and lose no time.
Mountdean." "At the Dower House ?" mused Lord Arleigh.

"What can it mean ?" "Did the Earl of Mountdean send this himself ?" he said to the man.
"Yes, my lord.

He bade me ride as though for life, and ask your lordship to hurry in the same way." "Is he hurt?
Has there been any accident ?" "I have heard of no accident, my lord; but, when the earl came to give me the note, he looked wild and unsettled." Lord Arleigh gave orders that his fleetest horse should be saddled at once, and then he rode away.
He was so absorbed in thought that more than once he had a narrow escape, almost striking his head against the overhanging boughs of the trees.