Man and Maid

I was horribly worried as to what could have happened to that little

party, for that alleé where I had seen them, was in the very middle of

the Bois, and far from any gate or shelter. They must have got soaking

wet if nothing worse had happened to them. And how could I hear anything

about them?--What should I do? Was the Duchesse in Paris?--Could I find

the address possibly from her? But would she be likely to know it? just

because Miss Sharp--"Alathea"--(what a lovely Greek name!) brought

bandages to the hospital?

However, this was worth trying, and I could hardly wait to get out of

the motor, and get to the telephone. The concierge came out with an

umbrella in great concern and took me up in the lift herself--and there

was Burton waiting for me, he had come in by train to take me back

safely later on.

How I cursed my folly in not having asked Miss Sharp herself for her

address! Could Burton possibly know it?--How silly of me not to have

thought of that before!

"Burton, I saw Miss Sharp and her family in the Bois--do you know

their address by chance?--I want to ring up and find out if they got

home all right."

Burton could see my anxiety--and actually hurried in his reply!

"They live in Auteuil, Sir Nicholas, but I can't exactly say where--the

young lady never seems very particular to give me the address. She said

I should not be needing it, and that they were likely to move."

"Get on to the Duchesse de Courville-Hautevine as quickly as you can--."

Burton did so at once, but it seemed a long time.

--No, Madame la Duchesse was down at Hautevine taking some fresh

convalescents, and would not return until the middle of the week--if

then!

I nearly swore aloud--.

"Are they talking from the concierge's lodge or the hotel?--Burton ask

at both if they know the address of a Miss Sharp who brings bandages to

the hospital!"

Of course by this time the connection had been cut off, and it took

quite ten minutes to get on again, and by that time I could have yelled

aloud with the feverish fret of it all, and the pain!

No one knew anything of a "Mees Shearp."

"Mees Shearp--Mais non!"

Many ladies brought bandages, hein?!

I mastered myself as well as I could and got into my chair--.

And in a few moments Burton brought me a brandy and soda, and put it

into my hand.