When the servants came to look for the dog, she could only tell them that she had last seen him in the grounds, not far from the cottage.

The useless search being abandoned, and the carriage having left the gate, who should crawl out from the back of a cupboard in which some empty hampers were placed but Tommie himself! How he had contrived to get back to the smoking-room (unless she had omitted to completely close the door on her return) it was impossible to say.

But there he was, determined this time to stay with Isabel, and keeping in his hiding place until he heard the movement of the carriage-wheels, which informed him that his lawful mistress had left the cottage! Isabel had at once called Hardyman, on the chance that the carriage might yet be stopped.

It was already out of sight, and nobody knew which of two roads it had taken, both leading to London.

In this emergency, Isabel could only look at Hardyman and ask what was to be done.
"I can't spare a servant till after the party," he answered.