It vanished, and after searching the castle I can find neither wolf nor dog.

But I saw, as it seemed, a figure enter this room, and upon opening it I find--the Earl of Douglas.

That is all I know, and I leave the matter in my lord's own hands." The haughty look gradually disappeared from the face of the Earl as Sholto spoke.
Smilingly he dismissed the guard with a word, saying that he would inquire into the cause of the disturbance in person, and then turned to Sholto.
"You are right," he said, "you have entirely done your duty and justified my appointment." He paused, looked this way and that along the corridor, and continued: "It chanced that in the tower without I could not sleep, and feeling uneasy concerning my guests, I entered the castle by the private door and staircase which leads into the apartment corresponding to this on the floor beneath.

I was assuring myself that you were doing your duty when, being disturbed by the sudden hubbub, and judging it needless that the men-at-arms should know of my presence in the castle, I came in hither till the matter should have blown over.

And so, but for your good conscience and the keenness of your vision, the matter would have ended." Sholto bowed coldly.
"But, my lord," he said, ignoring the Earl's explanation, "the matter grows more mysterious than ever.